General Cycling Discussion - Air travel with bike shoes

Anyone ever have any trouble going through airport security while carrying cleated bike shoes in their carry-on bags?

Not a problem; I believe it helped to also carry your helmet - readily identifies the specialty shoes. I've taken my shoes, helmet and even CO2 inflator (no cartiridges) through about ten airport screening checkpoints.

I wear my cycling shoes through the screening checkpoints. Up till this year, I've been able to wear them through on my feet, but this year they've wanted me to take them off and put them into the bins.

There have been several occasions when screening unit operators have stopped and recalled several times the images showing my shoes in the tray. I haven't been asked any questions so far.

On my return to Australia last August, however, the cleats on shoes packed in my checked luggage did cause some consternation for the customs guy checking for plant, animal and soil material (Australia is very strict in this regard).

He told me he could see on the screening machine that the boots had mud on them, and that I had to unpack my bag to get them out. Of course, they were right at the bottom of a very large bag. He looked totally stunned -- amazed and terribly confused -- when I pulled the shoes out with the brass Atac cleats on the sole.

He was very apologetic, but I let him off the hook by saying that it was OK, I understood, I worked in the agriculture industry (orcharding) and we needed to be careful.

No issues with shoes, but TSA had an absolute fit over a Crank Bro's multitool going through Dallas/Fort Worth

-Roger

No issues with shoes, but TSA had an absolute fit over a Crank Bro's multitool going through Dallas/Fort Worth
-Roger

Yes, I can imagine! One airline I flew with had a fit over a teensy eyeglass screwdriver.

One airline I flew with had a fit over a teensy eyeglass screwdriver.

I had to surrender a perfectly good Xcelite Greenie -- which is a jeweler's screwdriver all of about 2" long -- to the TSA at LaGuardia a few years back. They told me they would hold it for me & I could reclaim it upon my return. Since I wasn't about to let them confiscate my beloved Greenie, I took them up on their offer: They escorted me to a room and showed me a giant cardboard box filled with pocket knives, screwdrivers, multitools, can openers, scissors...all manner of things confiscated from people's carry-on luggage.

I made out like a bandit! :)


To the OP: no, I've never had a problem packing my cycling shoes in my carry-on luggage. Nor my pedals (which I usually pack in zip-lock baggies inside my shoes). What I have had trouble with is the pedal wrench! If it's over 7" they force you to check it. Or chuck it.

I wear my cycling shoes through the screening checkpoints. Up till this year, I've been able to wear them through on my feet, but this year they've wanted me to take them off and put them into the bins.

Along with 60 zillion other people. This is SOP now. The type of shoe does not matter.

Not sure if they make you remove regular sandals or not but I never wear sandals on a plane, they keep the cabins too darn cold.

Yes, I can imagine! One airline I flew with had a fit over a teensy eyeglass screwdriver.

I have had the same problem and I packed it special because I had just trashed my glasses before leaving for the plane that morning. I had to give it up then buy another at the other end.

Once I was flying to Cozumel with my diving gear. I had previously been on a local dive. I strap my knife to my BC instead of doing the Mike Nelson thing on the leg. Well I forgot about it! Security picked it up and told me I would have to check the knife. They put it in a small box and I thought no chance in heck is that thing going to get to Cozumel. Waiting in line at the luggage conveyor belt in Cozumel. Here comes my luggage and a few bags latter the box with the knife! :)

Along with 60 zillion other people. This is SOP now. The type of shoe does not matter.

Depends on the country, it is SOP in the US and many other places, but not worldwide.

There have been several occasions when screening unit operators have stopped and recalled several times the images showing my shoes in the tray. I haven't been asked any questions so far.

On my return to Australia last August, however, the cleats on shoes packed in my checked luggage did cause some consternation for the customs guy checking for plant, animal and soil material (Australia is very strict in this regard).

He told me he could see on the screening machine that the boots had mud on them, and that I had to unpack my bag to get them out. Of course, they were right at the bottom of a very large bag. He looked totally stunned -- amazed and terribly confused -- when I pulled the shoes out with the brass Atac cleats on the sole.

He was very apologetic, but I let him off the hook by saying that it was OK, I understood, I worked in the agriculture industry (orcharding) and we needed to be careful.

I had the same thing happen to me arriving in Sidney airport. After they sent my folding bike through the screening unit, they made me open it up, and had a little fit because they said there was "dirt" on my tires. Well duh..... it's a tire.

Yes, I can imagine! One airline I flew with had a fit over a teensy eyeglass screwdriver.

Funnier part was I made it out of Reagan National, through Atlanta, in and out of Denver, then to DFW before anyone ever caught it.

-Roger