Walking sticks or canes are considered necessary aids for some people, mainly elderly passengers or those with medical conditions, but can you take a metal cane on a plane?
Generally, you can bring a metal cane or walking stick on a plane. Canes used for mobility are allowed in the cabin and checked luggage, but you will need to pack hiking or trekking poles with sharp metal tips in checked baggage.
In this post I will cover everything you need to know about taking walking sticks on planes, in both domestic and international flights.
Let us dive right in.
TL;DR
- You can take a metal cane or walking stick on a plane if you use it as a mobility aid.
- Canes do not count toward your carry-on allowance and are generally allowed through the airport security and in the cabin.
- Canes with hidden blades, swords, or other weapon-like features are prohibited in carry-on luggage.
- Folding canes are the easiest to travel with, while decorative, antique, or non-medical walking sticks are often better packed in checked baggage.
Can You Take Walking Sticks and Metal Canes Through the TSA Security Checkpoint?
According to the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), you can carry your walking stick or metal cane through the security checkpoint if you use it for a medical condition.
It does not matter whether it is a metal stick, a wooden stick, or made from another material.
Just make sure that the cane does not have any type of weapon design or anything hidden inside the handle, especially sharp items (like a sword or knife).
These types of items are commonly found in antique walking sticks.
The TSA will not approve these types of walking sticks, even if they are used for medical purposes.
You will have to place your walking stick on the X-ray belt, and you can kindly ask the TSA agent for assistance if you need help until you are reunited with your walking stick.
Here is what the TSA has to say about traveling with walking sticks and canes.
They have separated information about walking sticks and canes; you may notice that walking sticks can have some type of pointed or sharp end.
You may also notice that some people use trekking or hiking poles for medical reasons, and the TSA allows them.
Therefore, I felt that we needed some real answers from the TSA to understand its position on traveling with a walking stick, so I searched Twitter, and here is what I found.
Carla asked the TSA on Twitter about her father’s 47-inch walking stick, which he uses for walking assistance.
The AskTSA customer service team replied that walking sticks used as mobility aids are allowed through the checkpoint.
Where Do I Put My Cane On an Airplane?
Taking medical walking canes through airport security is permitted at most airports, but you may face a size issue with the airline if your cane is not foldable.
It is better to travel with a foldable walking stick that you can place easily under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment.
However, if you travel with a regular walking stick, you can ask a flight attendant to help you find a suitable place for it, most likely in the overhead compartment.
Passengers who want to transport other types of canes and sticks for decoration or any other purpose are still permitted to do so, but only in checked luggage.
Meagan asked the TSA about costume canes, and the TSA replied that these types of canes should be transported in checked luggage.
Can You Take Walking Sticks in Checked Luggage
Any type of walking stick or cane that is not used for medical purposes should go in checked luggage.
Many people want to bring an old or antique walking stick from or to their destination, and the best way to do so is by packing it in checked luggage.
You may need to contact your airline if you are bringing a bulky, non-foldable cane and confirm its size requirements with them. That will help you avoid inconvenience and save time at the airport.
On the other hand, if you are traveling with a foldable cane, you can easily place it inside your checked bag and voilà.
If you want to take an old cane, make sure to inspect it before traveling. There may be something hidden inside it (this happens more often than you might think).
Traveling with certain types of weapons to other countries, even unknowingly, is not acceptable and may get you into serious trouble. However, the consequences may be less severe when traveling domestically.
For example, this passenger did not even know that his walking stick contained a sword until the TSA discovered it.
What Are Airlines Rules about Traveling With Cans and Walking Sticks?
We checked some airlines websites to know the policy when traveling with canes for medical and non-medical purposes and here is what we found:
| Airlines | Regulations |
|---|---|
| United airlines | ” you can take your walking cane or stick on United airlines on board for mobility aids only, otherwise all walking sticks should go in checked luggage”. |
| American Airlines | “Mobility and medical devices don’t count as carry-on limits”. |
| Delta Airlines | “Federal regulations require that a cane must be stowed for take off and landings in an approved storage compartment”. |
| JetBlue | ” You can bring a walking stick on Jetblue for medical purposes, make sure that you bring a cane or walking stick that fits in the overhead bin”. |
| Spirit Airlines | “Mobility devices that commonly fit onboard like canes – these items cannot exceed 39x26x11 inches (99x116x63 cm)”. |
| Southwest Airlines | ” Cans or assistive devices are allowed on southwest on board the airplane without any problem “. |
| Alaska Airlines | ” cans and walking sticks for mobility aids may be brought onboard without counting toward your carry-on limit”. |
| Air Canada | “Walking stick/poles (i.e. Nordic walking equipment) are not permitted through the security checkpoint. The only exception to this is if the walking stick/pole is being used as a mobility aid” |
| British Airways | ” walking aids and wheelchairs are allowed in the cabin, but they will need to be inspected or screened with airport security”. |
| Qantas Airways | “If needed, you’re welcome to bring walking canes and crutches into the aircraft cabin. You can use these to get to the departure gate and board the aircraft, where it will be stowed in an overhead locker or alternative storage space”. |
Can You Bring More Than One Walking Stick On a Plane?
Yes, you can carry additional walking sticks or canes on a plane, but you are generally only allowed to bring the one you are using as a mobility aid into the cabin.
Any additional walking sticks will need to be checked.
If you are flying internationally, make sure that you do not bring so many walking sticks that customs officials question the purpose of the quantity.
Overall, it is better to avoid bringing too many. Most airlines nowadays charge high baggage fees, and you can often find affordable canes at your destination rather than paying expensive airline charges.
Final Thoughts
You can take a metal cane on a plane, as well as other types of walking sticks, wooden sticks, trekking poles, and hiking poles when they are used as mobility aids.
On the other hand, any walking stick that resembles a weapon or contains a sharp object inside will not be allowed as carry-on luggage, even if it is used for medical reasons.
These types of canes can generally be transported in checked luggage.
Make sure that you bring a standard, non-modified walking stick.
The best way to travel with a walking stick is to use a foldable one. It will help you avoid hassles at security checkpoints and make it easier to store on board the airplane.
We hope this helps.
Happy travels.
FAQs On Bringing Metal Canes On Planes.
Can You Take a Metal Canes in Carry-On Luggage?
You can take a metal cane in your carry-on luggage if you use it as a mobility aid. Airport security and airlines generally allow medical canes in the cabin, and they do not usually count toward your carry-on limit.
Does a Cane Count as a Carry-On Item?
Most airlines treat canes as mobility aids, so they do not count as part of your carry-on allowance. You can usually bring your cane in addition to your carry-on bag and personal item.
Can You Take a Metal Cane on International Flights?
You can take a metal cane on international flights. While security procedures may vary by country, mobility canes are generally accepted in both carry-on and checked bags.
Can You Bring a Folding or Collapsible Cane on a Plane?
Folding and collapsible canes are allowed on planes. They are often the easiest option to travel with because you place them under your seat, or inside your suitcase.
Can You Bring a Wooden Cane on a Plane?
You can bring a wooden cane on a plane. Airport security and airlines generally treat wooden canes the same way as metal canes when they are used for mobility assistance.
Can You Bring a Self-Defense Cane or Sword Cane on a Plane?
Self-defense canes, sword canes, and canes with hidden blades are not allowed in carry-on luggage. Security officers may treat them as weapons, even if you use the cane for support.
Do TSA Will Place My Cane Through The Airport Security and X-Ray Screening?
Canes usually go through the security screening. If you rely on your cane for mobility, let the security officer know, and they will assist you while the cane is inspected.
Can You Bring Trekking Poles or Hiking Poles on a Plane?
It depends. Trekking and hiking poles with pointed metal tips are often restricted in the cabin and are usually safer to pack in checked luggage. If you use them as a mobility aid, security officers may allow them after inspection.
Can You Travel With an Antique Walking Stick or Cane?
Yes, you can travel with an antique walking stick or cane. However, inspect it carefully before your trip to make sure it does not contain hidden blades, swords, or other prohibited items that could cause problems at security.
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