Flying with climbing gear in a carry-on?

Hi, all, wondering what are people’s thoughts on / experience with flying with their (sport) climbing gear in a carry-on? TIA.

I’ve had trouble w trad gear (esp nut tool) but draws and a grigri should be fine. 

You're fine. I've done trad gear as well, might have even had a nut tool in there. Sporting equipment is allowed.

You’re fine I’ve flown with a trad rack and even an aid rack with hooks. The tsa agents have asked what the rope was because I guess it looks weird on the x ray but they are cool when you explain it. 

TSA took my gri² out once in >20 times, ohm will also get a 2nd look. May or may not have a problem w your rope if you're flying in from Mexico (made me check it in once, let me through the year after that)

Don't try it out of Mexico City!

Don't try it out of Mexico City!

It might depend to some extent on where you're flying to - or where from when flying back home; I assume that TSA practice only applies in US airports.

I always take my trad gear in a carry on, rope in checked baggage. Have my carry on inspected about 20% of the time. Some agents are accustomed to seeing gear.

Do people not use the search function? 

I think it may very well depend on where you are flying to/from and the whims of the inspectors. Last time I left Buenos Aires (EZE) for Barcelona, they confiscated my cordelette and prusiks. (I guess you could potentially use them as strangulation tools.) If you really want to be sure, I’d check your gear—or at least ask when you initially check in at the desk and before you go through security.
EDIT: Or maybe the agent was just anti-extra gear on the harness… stuff like a cordelette and prusiks. Probably a MP troll as well…

ginger wrote:

As for the Mexico City comment, every airport I've flown out of in Mexico (at least 5?) won't let you carry on a rope, but draws are fine.

I have flown out of Mexico City with a sport rack and rope in my carry-on twice. I had no issues.  They did confiscate a tiny hex key for my tripod because it was a "tool".

Gray areas are up to the whims and mood of the agent you get.

I've flown within the US with a double+ rack multiple times without incident. Occasionally they may screen your bag, but let it pass after they're told its just climbing gear. I usually put sharp looking stuff like a nut tool in my checked bags though. They screened my bag once because the rope looked funny to them through the xray.

Eric Ardissonowrote:

Don't try it out of Mexico City!

I was flying from Monterrey to Mexico City and had my stick clip taken, probably a no-barrier, shouldn't have tried to carry it on...Idk though

Climbing gear and BASE rigs have always been fine to carry on, literally almost everywhere. We've never brought a nut-tool for obvious reasons though.

Andreas Gustavwrote:

I've flown within the US with a double+ rack multiple times without incident. Occasionally they may screen your bag, but let it pass after they're told its just climbing gear. I usually put sharp looking stuff like a nut tool in my checked bags though. They screened my bag once because the rope looked funny to them through the xray.

Once flying back to the US from Europe, I was pulled aside by Customs at Logan Airport (Boston). They asked me what that rope like thing was in my checked bag. I said that it was a climbing rope. They said, OK, and let me through!!!!

I'll top your story, Alan.  In 2007, while flying from Monterrey, Mexico, I had three packages of local pancake mix, that a climbing friend back home insist I bring back. Unfortunately, the mice got after two of the packages, while staying in Potrero, so I duct-taped the hell out of all three, in order, to avoid the potential mouse problems and to prevent future leakage. Upon being confronted and questioned, by a group Mexican Custom Officers, stupidly and suddenly, I realized what the three duct-taped bricks in my carry-on backpack actually looked like.  So, I confidently stated, "pancake mix" and I was allowed through, without incident.  Alternatively, this same group of Mexican Customs Officers directed my wife to empty her entire carry-on backpack, due to her hair barrette being considered a weapon. The offending hair barrette was subsequently and unceremoniously confiscated for safety of the flight.

Andre Blisswrote:

I'll top your story, Alan.  In 2007, while flying from Monterrey, Mexico, I had three packages of local pancake mix, that a climbing friend back home insist I bring back. Unfortunately, the mice got after two of the packages, while staying in Potrero, so I duct-taped the hell out of all three, in order, to avoid the potential mouse problems and to prevent future leakage. Upon being confronted and questioned, by a group Mexican Custom Officers, stupidly and suddenly, I realized what the three duct-taped bricks in my carry-on backpack actually looked like.  So, I confidently stated, "pancake mix" and I was allowed through, without incident.  Alternatively, this same group of Mexican Customs Officers directed my wife to empty her entire carry-on backpack, due to her hair barrette being considered a weapon. The offending hair barrette was subsequently and unceremoniously confiscated for safety of the flight.

Hi Andy, Good to seeing you posting. Hope that you and Louise are doing well, even if her barrettes are so dangerous!!!!

I fly with my trad gear all the time. Just carried on my rack yesterday. I always check my nut tool though. I'm not sure if it would b an issue or not, but I've never tried. All sport climbing gear will be just fine. Note: this is only for the USA. I have not tried in other countries. 

Nah, skip the carry-on and just rack up.

In Mexico City, the security agents made me check all of my climbing gear when flying to Monterrey. Thankfully Aeromexico checked the bag for free.