I've had people tell me that they have carried batons onboard an aircraft. I just contacted Continental, and they said no, batons must be in checked luggage. I double checked with the TSA, and the woman who answered said the same thing.
What has been your experience with bringing batons on aircraft? Checked baggage or carry on?

Well seeing as how it can used as a weapon you will not be allowed to take it on.

checked baggage.

The last time we flew they made us check them.
Since 911 they've made us check them.

contact the hotel and see if you can ship them to the hotel by over night, your going to pay for a extra bag any way, if you take them on the plan make sure its a direct flight to make sure the don't get lot

We took them as carry on for 2007 Nationals. I can't remember what we did last year but I think we checked on the way down but not the way back and I remember TSA in Orlando questioning them but ultimately we were allowed to carry on. I don't know if my daughters age has anything to do with it though - not many 8-9 year old terrorists using twirling batons as weapons these days....

/\LOL.....It probably has more to do with who the TSA person is.
Every time we had someone who clearly didn't enjoy their job.

I wouldn't want their job - don't get me wrong. But they didn't want to hear anything about anything. It could also have something to do with where we fly out of - Boston.

Face it, people batons are weapons! Pay the money to either send ahead or check your bags. You dont want to tangle with TSA, if they want to, and you get a jerk you could really be detained. Not worth it.

DM

I hear what you are saying for sure and certainly DON'T want a fight with TSA BUT the airlines also say to keep valuable things in your carry on and with you and none of the airlines or UPS or fedex are impervious to losing things - it happens all the time.

We carry on all costumes and accessories for Nationals because they can't be replaced in a far off city. Makeup and hair stuff I can replace at Target or where ever in what ever city we are in.

When we went to Minnesota in 2007 there was NOT a vendor selling starlines so if we had checked and the airline lost the bag with the batons (like they did with the bag that had ALL of my clothes in it!) then we would have been up a creek without a baton! Last year in Daytona, Fultons was there and they had brought starlines with them so it would not have been a problem last year but still....

I don't know if there is a happy medium for this or a cut and dry answer. You try and carry on and risk TSA problems or you check or ship and risk them not making it to your destination!

We have traveled with batons several times a year for the last 8 or 9 years. Only twice can I recall that we were required to check the baton bag. There is no consistency from airport to airport. That said, we just never know. I can say that if we were at a contest and someone out of region showed up without a baton, my daughter would be the first to offer one of hers to borrow. Might not be taped just right or the right brand, but it wouldn't surprise me if that has already happened somewhere at sometime. Twirlers stick together and can count on each other - even under competitive conditions.

I've had the same experience, it is very inconsistent. The majority of our trips we have been forced to check batons/baton bags but a few times, we were allowed to bring as carry on. The airline has actually sent us down to the security screening gate to inquire ....

Flight is already booked and we have to change planes. I would worry about an overnight shipment getting lost. I'm still not sure what to do -- keep luggage with me until I can ask a security screener if batons can be carried on?

If you check the baton, how do you pack it -- extra padding, bubble wrap, what?

when I have packed it, I just put them in the largest rolling suit case I have surrounded by all the clothes...

We've carried the baton bag as one of the two carry-on's. It also helps if the twirler carries it and wears a twirling jacket - plays to the empathy of the screener. At one airport, my daughter actually took her baton out and had the TSA agent trying finger twirls - right before he let her pass through without incident.

I wonder what would happen if TSA screener at the first airport lets her carry the batons on board, then our layover airport screener says no? Or do we NOT go thru security again at a layover airport? It's been over 5 years since I've flown, I don't remember!

TwirlFan... You only go through security at the airport of your departure. Just make sure not to leave the secure area (which is very obvious if you were to try) during your layover.

obviously younger kids with smaller batons have a better chance of getting through with them.

they used to be able to. but this past year they made us check them. we used to be able to just put them with the strollers. not anymore.

We've carried on twice since February... no problems... and they were 29's and 28's, in a baton bag, along with shoes and towels. I really don't think there is a consistent protocol and it is really at the whim of the TSA agent overseeing the security gate you happen to be going through. It is a matter of luck, and you just need to be prepared to be sent back to check the bag in.

It truly depends upon your airport and TSA agent. Last year, we departed from Pittsburgh to Atlanta and carried on 30" batons along with a copy of the competition brochure in a baton case with no problem. But on the way back from Atlanta, which is a larger airport, we were stopped in the Security line and my husband had to race back to checked baggage to check the baton bag. We barely made our flight because our GPS took us on an alternate route through Atlanta and we ended up sitting in traffic due to a car accident. So when you are only 10 minutes from boarding and the TSA agent makes you take your case back to checked baggage, it is a hassle and a footrace! From now on, we check all batons to avoid delays, because you never know who you're going to get in the Security line. We always make sure there is a place to buy batons if for some reason our luggage gets lost. But so far, we have been lucky. My advice -- it's a gamble, so I'd only carry on if you're feeling lucky or if you know you have time to take a trip back to checked luggage.

We ran into this problem on the way to a competition in February. When we got to the security checkpoint we were initially told that we could not carry them on, but when we pressed the issue, a supervisor came over and said that it is a judgment call by the on-duty TSA agent. (The supervisor let us carry them on). I definitely recommend having the twirler wear team sweats if possible and have other twirling accessories in the carry-on such as shoes, etc. to lend credibility. It always helps to be pleasant and cheerful with the TSA folks, even if you're on the verge of missing your plane. By the way - on the flight home, it seemed to help that we had a trophy with us

I don't have a correct TSA answer for you, but I do have a funny story.

I was flying out of Fort Lauderdale aiport on the way to Ne Orleans for the Halloween Extravaganza in 2006 with my batons in one of those round shipping tubes. TSA pulled them and wanted to know why a 42 year old man that was a little overweight was traveling with these batons as long as ski poles. So can you imagine what happened?.... You got it, an impromtu exibition at the TSA gates at the airport. Not only did I get to take my batons on a carry on luggage, I got a HUGE applause at the gate area for a one turn/blind catch combo.