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Flying a rack

Original Post
Big Red · · Seattle · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 937

Hey All,

I know there are a few posts about this but I'm wondering if anyone has any bad stories. I'm flying US to Nairobi and want to figure out if I should check, carry on, or leave my rack at home. Any advice? Thanks!

Flex · · Flagstaff, AZ · Joined Apr 2007 · Points: 1,025

You shouldn't have problems with either. I have usually checked my rack and put the rope in the carry-on but I have friends who have done the opposite with no problems. One of my partners actually got away with crampons in his carry-on coming back from China!

Jared Garfield · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 5

I've had no problem flying in the US with my full rack and rope in a carry on.

Josh Kornish · · Whitefish, MT · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 800

The only issue I've had was coming back from Colombia, South America with a full trad rack. I flew there from Vegas with everything plus a rope in my carry on and had no issues.

Flying back to Bogota they wanted to take everything but I got them down to just taking my rope.

I would recommend calling in ahead or to be safe, just check it.

calvino · · Sedro Woolley · Joined May 2010 · Points: 425

the danger of checking your gear is that it may not arrive as planned. I fly with my rack and rope as carry on. It is a lot easier to replace clothes and toothbrush if they don't make it on the plane.

garrettem · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 575

Flown with a rack and rope as a carry on a few times and never had an issue, US and international. I've also flown with Crampons as a carry on within the US with no issues.

Marc H · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2007 · Points: 265
D.Buffum wrote:In an airport like Nairobi, all bets are off. It doesn't matter what the rules are, or what has happened to other people. Your rack will be subject to the whims and prejudices of the employees on duty that day. Some of them will be honest and unconcerned; others may be dishonest or alarmed by a pile of unidentifiable metal. At your own risk.
This is a good point. It would probably be a good idea to bring a climbing rag or too so you could show them published pics of the gear in use. Personal photos might not suffice.
MacM · · Tucson/Preskitt, AZ · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 675
Marc H wrote: This is a good point. It would probably be a good idea to bring a climbing rag or too so you could show them published pics of the gear in use. Personal photos might not suffice.
+1

Enroute to Greece last summer I had all my gear, and my friend's gear, in my climbing pack/carry on. I had a layover in Amsterdam and I think I got the only person in Amster that doesn't speak english for a security check. Pulled out the gear and luckily had a few Rock & Ice mags to help describe what I did with the stuff in Greece. Granted it wasn't a rack of pro, just draws, carabiners, and some belay devices; but I think the idea still holds well.

Never got hassled any where else though in the other 5 airports I had to go through. Also to note, I put my ropes in my checked luggage. In case they got lost I figured it would be easier to replace a single rope or two instead of a whole assortment of other items.

-Mac
Meme Guy · · Land of Runout Slab · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 325

I can echo what they say about how it sucks to check your gear and have it not land when you do. Landed in SLC back in 2000 with no sign of any of my ski gear that I had checked. Luckily they found it and had it on the next flight to SLC and a courier brought up to Park City at like 3am the next morning.

Another time flying to SLC December, 2012 they lost my lady's bag! She had to go and buy all new gear (suitcase, socks, ski pants, literally fucking everything), which is not cheap in Park City mind you. Luckily the airline not only reimbursed us 100% for what she bought but they found the bag a month later. It's a stressful way to get free gear.

Those were just two domestic flights to SLC, I imagine international is a whole other clusterfuck.

And while were on the topic, did yall know the TSA has NEVER stopped a terrorist? Never ever!

Old Crusty · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 0

They may not have caught a terrorist, but how can you tell how many they stopped?

Anunta Anunta · · Denver, CO · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 284

I've never had much of a problem carrying my rack in my carry-on (strangely the only place they've ever pulled my bag off to check what it was was in Denver International; then one of the older tsa ladies made fun of the younger security guy-- 'don't you know this is rock climbing equipment? ' and let me go through') . However I have had problems with the rope in Thailand. They made me check it, saying that it's possible I could use the rope to tie people up (??!!) so I think it's a bit of a crap shoot.

Meme Guy · · Land of Runout Slab · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 325
Old Crusty wrote:They may not have caught a terrorist, but how can you tell how many they stopped?
Semantics
Dan Flynn · · Northeast mostly · Joined May 2009 · Points: 5,065

For the first time, I recently had trouble carrying a rack on -- three airports in Argentina, all made me go back and check it. Didn't matter that nothing sharp was in it, didn't matter they knew it was climbing equipment. "Too much metal" was the rationale, as far as I can figure.

Previously no problem in many airports in US, Europe, and Asia. In China I had to throw out a Sharpie marker (liquid, technically), but could carry on my trad rack.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Trad Climbing
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