Canes - out of state travel

[SW CQB 45]

I am seriously thinking about buying me a cane from Canemasters to be on my side during airline/outstate travel. nothing fancy, just a heavy duty cane with a few simple features for self defense.

has anyone been stopped or questioned about a cane in relation to it being a weapon? (airport, tourist site, Alcatraz, etc)

I have been an LEO since 1989 and usually have some sort of weapon within arms reach. I have been to DC, NY and LV with nothing and did not see or feel anything were I wished I had "something".

In NY (2012), we walked 24 miles in 3 days, Vegas (2013) was 21 miles in 3 days and trashed my knee in Vegas to the point where it was time for surgery. Had to take care of other stuff before the doc would operate….that took a year.

Want that aid close by, if I need it as my other knee is likely not far behind for replacement.

I am planning a trip to the West Coast (SF) down the road (not sure on the time frame but likely early 2016) and I have been thinking hard about a cane for two reasons….

1. Still recovering from partial knee replacement in Jan 2015 and some days I wished I had a cane as I limp when I first stand up for the first few steps.

2. Also piece of mind of having something in my hands. (I don't want to have to leave a $100+ cane behind because of some un-trained TSA agent)

any info would be greatly appreciated. Traveling to San Fran from Texas.

TIA

 

[dougb1946]

If they take the cane, fall down and scream a bit. Camera action would make a great u-tube presentation.

 

[hoc9sw]

I travel with a collapsible cane. It has been through many a checkpoint. Often taken out and inspected to be sure it was just a cane, so they do draw attention.

What would cause issues would be anything unusual about it. So I would be careful about those "simple features".

 

[H Richard]

When needing to do a lot of walking or walking over rough terrain I do use a cane. I carry one in my car all the time. I have traveled as far as Switzerland/Germany/France,Holland last summer, and Phoenix the year before. If your cane is recognizable as an intended weapon, it will be confiscated at security at an airport. Your cane must go through the x-ray machine, and they seem to all have a loaner cane if you need it for going through the body scan. I have a standard wood, (fairly light weight) Fitz handle type, and it has never been questioned. Will be doing it again in about 11 days when I fly from Denver to Seattle. Being mid 70's I haven't been questioned about it.

 

[SW CQB 45]

do you think this would create attention

this is what I was referring too as a few features.

nothing flashy and no silly eyes.

Cane-Ja Street Cane Tacticle Combat Canes Cane-Ja Street Cane [CAJASTR] - $109.95 : Cane Masters!, Walking Canes for mobility, self-defense, exercise and rehabilitation

even the boomer

http://www.canemasters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_3_57&products_id=488

 

[Maddog 521]

I have an oak cane in the car at all times. I just returned for the San Diego, San Francisco and the Reno area. I was never questioned about it at all. In most instances I was treated very well. We got in line to take the ferry out to Alcatraz. We were moved to the front of the line to an area that had benches to sit on. We and 3 other couples, each with a cane, were the first people allowed to board the ferry. When we got to Alcatraz, they had a shuttle for disabled people because the walk is long and up hill.
I have never had a problem boarding commercial aircraft either. IMHO I was treated better than my wife sometimes. I was moved along very quickly when it was time to get body scanned or taking off our shoes. In NY and that area I was informed that they have laws to help disabled people. We didn't stand in lines there at all, we were moved up. Good luck with your trip and your cane.

 

[vytoland]

with the right type of cane and a little practice....you have a good defensive item.........

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddc5uslB2aE[/ame]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcWr7TaWEVg[/ame]

 

[Road Rat]

"Most" canes should not be an issue with TSA.

There are many nice canes that are designed for self-defense that do not look mean and nasty!!

I, on the other hand, have a cane that I had built for my spouse; she is a little heavy so I had it made to support at least 300 pounds leaning on it! It is almost 3/4 inch of a very hard wood and is capped with a bone handle that has a brass eagle head on one end!! I don't think it would pass airport security - but at 1 pound and 6 ounces it will make one heck of a weapon if ever forced into use!!

 

[Alpo]

I'm puzzled. The LEOSA, 2004, says that any "Qualified Law Enforcement Officer" can carry a concealed weapon anywhere in the country.

Why would you need a cane, if you can carry a gun?

 

[gdnagle]

I have only been asked one time passing through a metal detector about my cane. I was ask if I needed it, I told them only for walking purposes. They let me through with it. Just give them the old I need to lean on something while you put the cane through X-ray you will be OK and make sure you lean on it while passing security.

 

[SW CQB 45]

I'm puzzled. The LEOSA, 2004, says that any "Qualified Law Enforcement Officer" can carry a concealed weapon anywhere in the country.

Why would you need a cane, if you can carry a gun?

Don't want to go through any hassle that would slow my family vacation down.

 

[boatme99]

SW, inbound PM.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Although I wouldn't recommend this for air travel, you can't deny the testosterone filled coolness of this beauty, made by a certain mod from Buckeye headquarters.

 

[SW CQB 45]

I'm puzzled. The LEOSA, 2004, says that any "Qualified Law Enforcement Officer" can carry a concealed weapon anywhere in the country.

Why would you need a cane, if you can carry a gun?

Too add even more to the hassle and I am talking Texas....

About 12+ years ago, I was with my family in San Antonio and went on the Hemisphere to go to the top. Was going to be screen and told them I was LEO and packing. Workers freaked and security was called and I was told to come with them. So I am waiting in a room to be cleared by SAPD. Probably 30 minutes away from my family and my wife was worried about me.

It happened a few more times in Texas but not to that extreme.

I can only image what would happen in unfriendly gun states, and that why I will get me a cane. Just doing my research first.

 

[john629]

My wife uses a cane when we fly and she's always OK until we board the plane.They always relieve her of it on the plane and put it in a closet.4' 9" grandmothers must be on the terrorist watchlist.

 

[YogiBear]

Aloha,

A good friend from Texas found at local CVS canes almost identical to plain Canemaster canes for abouy $13.
Made in China. Probably not as strong as the original, but if taken by TSA(which I doubt), no loss.
My friend even modified the cheap cane to be identical to a Canemaster.
Buy a couple and modify it a lot or a little.
Something to consider.

 

[Texas Star]

I use a cane for medical reasons (peripheral neuropathy) , and was hassled about it while on jury duty. The people who perform security at the courthouse are dull and unimaginative and with limited thinking ability, in my opinion. That's all I can say about them here.

They finally scanned my cane and let me in, but as a handicapped person, I was pretty vexed. I got a letter from a doctor and avoided jury duty thereafter. I'm old enough now that I can refuse duty on account of age, and I would. It's too much walking and getting around that might cause a fall. And I hate dealing with people who remind me of...well, I can't say that here.

I suspect that some at TSA are about like the courthouse security here. That and other aspects of modern flying leave me reluctant to take a plane. I try to avoid anywhere that I can't carry even an ordinary pocketknife, anyway.

If I were you, I'd get a note from your doctor, testifying that you need the cane. And don't carry any but a normal cane, no sword canes, etc. or heavy brass heads. I have three canes, all the same, hollow black alloy with contoured rubber heads, all from CVS pharmacy for about $20 each. They work well and shouldn't raise suspicion at airports, etc. They adjust for your height.

Call your airline and ask for advice and maybe call security and explain your problem. Get the name of the agent with whom you talked, hopefully a supervisor.

If your knees are that bad, I'm amazed that you can carry a badge. Are you approved for just limited office duty? But a valid cop ID should help you with security.

Your family will just have to endure any delays due to the cane. A convoy must sail at the speed of its slowest ship. If you need the cane, take it. It beats risking a bad fall.

If they take your cane on the plane, ask a flight attendant to escort you to the loo to avoid falling. They take your cane, they're responsible for your safety. If they get doggy, take names and after the vacation, write to the president of the airline and complain. You may even have legal grounds for a lawsuit, especially if you fell and were injured or embarrassed because they held the cane. Just don't cause a ruckus on the plane, or they'll get you for that.

BTW, you mentioned San Antonio. I understand that they have a knife ordinance that is tougher than Texas state law. Check before going there. Has anyone here been to the Alamo lately? Are normal pocketknives banned there? At the zoo, Brackenridge Park?

 

[SW CQB 45]

LEO, past 25 years.

been driving a desk since 2006.

currently in IA.

I am fine, just limp when I first stand up.

I stood up and walked around for 3 hours yesterday in an off duty gig.

I am planning on heavy walking…just want the cane for added support plus doubles as a defensive device when needed (shhhhhhhhhhhh).

thats it.

 

[2152hq]

A plain old cane is no problem. TSA regs state they are allowed aboard flights but only after inspection and/or scanning to insure they don't conceal anything,,like a sword or drugs ect.
Half the population seems to need some sort of devise to aid in mobility these days, so it's not an uncommon thing.

Where you will find a problem at the TSA inspection is when the cane is mfg'd with a weapon in mind. Sharp edge handle, extra heavy weighted handle (they'll take your Craftsman cresent wrench away from you at the gate too),,things like that.
That's the call of the TSA guy/gal and it doesn't make for a pleasent flight if they decide to confiscate your walking stick cause it happens to looks menacing to them. But that's how they've set it up,like it or not.

Walking canes and umbrellas are listed on the same line in the TSA regs as allowed in the airplane passenger cabin (after inspection).

 

[Squarebutt]

You should be OK through airports, etc. My understanding is the American with Disabilities Act requires them to accommodate you to the best of their ability. As others have said, a plain cane shouldn't raise questions. There are some hickory canes out there that are hard to break.
if you haven't already, see if you can get a handicapped parking card from the DMV, even if you don't use it. Any other documentation from your docs would help as well.