Air travel with bike shoes

[Biker Jo]

This may be a stupid question, but I'm going to ask it anyway.

Has anyone carried their cleated bike shoes in their carry-on bags? Last year I packed my Sidis in my checked bag, but I worried that if the airline lost my luggage, there goes a very expensive pair of shoes, and the most expensive thing in my luggage. This year I'm thinking of just taking them in my carry-on. Anyone done that and had a problem going through security?

Thanks in advance.

Jo

[alpinerabbit]

I thought a pair of bike shoes consists mostly of plastic. Am I wrong?

[DebTX]

I've gone through with shoes (not bike shoes) in a gym bag with no problem. Unless its specifically listed on the TSA website, I think you'll be fine. The cleats on the bottom of a bike shoe aren't long enough to be misconstrued as a weapon

[kermit]

When they go through the ctx machine (xray), the worst that will happen is they will open your bag to inspect the shoes when you go through screening. The few screws may cause interest, although the screeners are pretty savy to that stuff.

[OakLeaf]

Here I thought you were going to ask about going through security with your shoes on.

There's nothing in bike shoes that would alarm security - even if they did have a steel shank (which they don't), it really wouldn't resemble a knife, and even if it did, they'd just look at the shoes to verify it wasn't a knife. BFD. I've done it twice and they never batted an eye. Large DSLR cameras and the like are the most likely to get a second look, but even that is just five minutes out of your time.

I think carrying your shoes on is a good idea. It's not about the expense for me (really, I doubt that your BIKE was less expensive than your shoes, and it's obviously traveling by air somehow; and the entirety of clothing in your suitcase, even if it isn't expensive clothing, would have a hard time costing less than even the most expensive shoes. Trust me, I've had to replace three days' wardrobe TWICE when my luggage was simply delayed, so no insurance reimbursement either ). It's about being able to replace my shoes on short notice at my destination. If they lost my pedals, well, okay, Look Keos are pretty easy to find. If they lost my shoes, who knows whether a LBS would have a shoe that fit me, and even if I did, I'd have to go through setting up the cleats.

That sort of thing is the same consideration I give when deciding to check or carry on anything, really. Not what it would cost to replace it - just have a good list so that you can put in an insurance claim if they do lose or damage something valuable. But, how much hassle it would be to replace it, and whether my entire trip would be for naught if I couldn't.

[Pedal Wench]

I bring shoes and pedals (Speedplays) all the time. Forget about a minitool, though. Or Gu.

[Aint Doody]

And forget about taking CO2 cartridges--in a carry on or in checked luggage. I had to toss out several. I had been taking them in checked bags for a couple of years not realizing that I shouldn't. What will they do? Blow a hole in the plane?

[Pedal Wench]

What will they do? Blow a hole in the plane?

I think so.

[polly4711]

I brought mine on.. and they were just dandy... i also brought my pedals too, and they were all good! have fun!

[OakLeaf]

Yes, I asked FedEx and I couldn't even ship CO2 cartridges with my bike. So it's not just on passenger aircraft.

My sister's LBS was kind enough to let me borrow a couple of cartridges for the Lone Star Ride and return them when I didn't use them. (She uses a hand pump.)

Which brings up another thing - I deflate my tires before shipping my bike. I think that's probably wise, but I can't remember ever seeing that in anyone's instructions.

[Aint Doody]

I deflate my tires, too. Not totally flat, but I let out a lot of air. I'm sorry for all the times I put people in jeopardy by taking my CO2 cartridges on planes-myself, too. Yikes....

[IFjane]

I bring shoes and pedals (Speedplays) all the time. Forget about a minitool, though. Or Gu.

I, too, bring shoes and pedals all the time with no problem.

I had a minitool taken away once - I argued with the TSA person & was told I could use the allen wrenches to "take the plane apart". For the life of me I couldn't find a single place on that plane where I could use an allen wrench! Not even in the lavatory!

[Aint Doody]

Honestly, IFjane! And how long would it take to dismantle a plane by yourself with an allen wrench anyway??!!! That's absurd.

[michelem]

DH and I took a weeklong cycling tour in Italy in 2007. We did not check any bags. Brought saddle, shoes w/cleats, pedals, and stem on the plane with no problems or delays on any of our 3 connecting international flights each way (6 total plane changes roundtrip).

[Pedal Wench]

I, too, bring shoes and pedals all the time with no problem.

I had a minitool taken away once - I argued with the TSA person & was told I could use the allen wrenches to "take the plane apart". For the life of me I couldn't find a single place on that plane where I could use an allen wrench! Not even in the lavatory!

I've had two minitools taken away (I'm a slow learner) and was told that yes, they could be used to take apart the plane. I lucked out this summer. I completely forgot the gorgeous new 10mm Hex wrench for my Ultratorque campy cranks was in my bag. It was in a side pocket. I was so upset that they wouldn't let me get back to my checked bag (tiny airport -- I could see my bag behind the counter!), but a kind good samaritan took my address and mailed it to me. Terrorists suck, but people in general are good.