Argentina airport security

So I know there's about a dozen threads on flying with gear, and I've never had a problem taking a trad rack on an airplane in a carry-on in the US.

But there's also that guy who had his whole rack taken in Paris by security...

So my question to the masses is: has anyone flown gear down to Argentina in their carry-on bag and how was the experience of getting through airport security? I realize that most Argentine airlines don't charge for checked bags, so it's not really an issue of cost, more an issue of space and keeping important things close.

EDIT: wrong beta on checked bag costs. they do charge. sometimes.

Get renters insurance, make sure you are covered overseas.

Been down there twice with all my gear, no problems. Six and Eight years ago so YMMV. Good luck, have fun.

Only one data point, but I was down there two years ago and they made me check my bag with my trad rack in it. I don't remember if this was on a flight from Bariloche to Buenos Aires or from Buenos Aires back to the states, but I remember it stood out because I have never had an issue back in the states. They also weren't super pleased I was bringing my helmet clipped onto my carry on backpack, not sure why.

How is your Spanish? If you can explain what they are then you are probably fine. We just checked our gear to avoid the hassle. Also, make sure to only exchange enough USD at the airport to get you on the bus with a little to spare. The "blue rate" at the exchange houses is way better than what you will get at an ATM. Do some research for where you can exchange your money, don't just pull out $400 and exchange with the random guy yelling "cambio" on the street.

Flew to Calafante last month. Carry on with a full rack there was fine from the states-3 flights no issues. We had to check all our gear and ropes from calafante to BA to JFK though. Tried to carry on and it turned into a big hassle.

btw, the reason i said about insurance was that i have had 2 partners 'forced' to check gear on the way home from South America, and both times the gear....disappeared. Appears no hassle going, but the return gets weird.

I've been down to Argentina 9 out of the last 10 winters. My experience has been all over the place during those years. I travel with camera gear and climbing gear so my climbing gear gets checked. I've never had a problem doing it that way. I've been with partners that tried to carry a rope and rack on board and have had problems. I'd would recommend just checking it. If you fly Delta, Aerolineas Argentina is part of Skyteam so they won't charge you any additional baggage fees as long as you are in country the same day as your connection. Not sure where you heard argentine airlines don't charge baggage? Unless that just changed this year that is bad beta. They definitely charge and aren't nearly as flexible as US airlines.

And the black market rate isn't really any better than the official exchange rate anymore. In years past it was way better to exchange on the street but I believe the markets have pretty much equalized.

Mikey Schaefer wrote: And the black market rate isn't really any better than the official exchange rate anymore. In years past it was way better to exchange on the street but I believe the markets have pretty much equalized.

Damn, wasn't expecting this much of a response. Thanks y'all.

Sounds like the move is to check the rack and not deal with the hassle.

Beta on airlines not charging came from the Aerolineas Argentina website, so was probably just them on the Delta Skyteam. Thanks for the clarification.

Last month we recieved USD 15X1 for their peso in Chalten at the grocery store. Our change was then given in Pesos. I thought that was fair, and cheaper that the exchange guys in the airport (although I did get some money from them to start the trip)

Hey man!!

Yeah, put the rack in the checked bags just to be sure, once I tried to take the rope with me in a plane and they made me check it.

Checked bags have no cost if they are only 1 or 2, and weight less than 23kg I think.

Change rate for usd are better everywhere now in Argentina, so you will be fine with that. Just change them in an exchange house.