Will airlines in general (specifically American and LAN) let you carry on ropes in your carry-on bag? Trying to cut down on weight here so I don't have to pay overage fees....

Yes, I take the rope and the full-rack in my carry-on routinely. I've had a 40-50 lb carry-on on multiple occasions. Try to make it look as small as possible if it's a backpack and don't let on to how heavy it is when you pick it up. I sometimes take the lid off so that it doesn't look too tall.

Flying out of Mexico City in 08 we had to give up our 30m rope because of security concerns. I'd check before hand on the airline rule and take a hardcopy of what they say with you. Cheers!

What is someone going to do with a rope that they couldn't do with shoelaces or a belt?

Hey Tom, stop using good sense and logic - this is the airlines you're dealing with!

I have carried a rope on LANChile flights Sydney - Santiago, but I know that on other flights people have had problems with them - even more so with cams, nuts etc. Ice screws and pitons are definitely a problem. I guess they think you're going to tie up the pilots with the rope and do something kinky with the .75 Camalot

Tom Fralich wrote:What is someone going to do with a rope that they couldn't do with shoelaces or a belt?

Don't try to use a logical analysis. We are talking about airport security procedures, not to be confused with a rational approach to airline safety.

Can you check the rope and carry on other pieces of heavy gear such as your boots, tent without the poles or several pieces of clothing?

Day Hiker wrote:

Tom Fralich wrote:What is someone going to do with a rope that they couldn't do with shoelaces or a belt?

Don't try to use a logical analysis. We are talking about airport security procedures, not to be confused with a rational approach to airline safety.

You got that right! A few years ago when they weren't allowing pliers or wire cutters I had a pair of nail clippers that are identical to diagonal cutters and it took them a while to decide that they were nail cutters and therefore OK. For what it is worth, I had filed down the points to a rounded shape. But still, it was not about whether or not they could be used as a weapon it was about which list they were on!

Damien Gildea wrote:I guess they think you're going to tie up the pilots with the rope and do something kinky with the .75 Camalot

lol :p

Ya tent without poles and your double boots would be the way to go. American Airlines allows two pieces of hand luggage. Once in Santiago if you are just in transit Lan will take one and check it in the plane at the gate no charge. Not sure they will do that if you have to recheck your bags after clearing customs in Santiago.

As a sidebar. I checked my luggage through from Calgary Canada all the way to Mendoza. Even though I was only in Transit in Dallas and Santiago. Homeland security (US) went through all my food. Tore it all apart. They taped it all up with a note that they checked it all. Did not find out till I landed in Mendoza. At least it all made it through. To simplify things I will overfly the US next time. I was impressed with Dallas airport though very nice, new and easy to use. Better than Atlanta.