Hand Luggage restrictions

[chopper602]

These are hammer boots, for use in Highland Games hammer events. They are a regular pair of boots with a huge blunt metal bar sticking out the front, for digging into the ground and therefore anchoring the competitor.
I'm trying to find out if there is anyway (with the metal bar bound in foam and tape) that these could be taken as carry-on luggage (UK > USA). All websites I've looked at, obviously, don't mention them and I can't find a suitable e-mail address (probably with BA )to ask

(Last year BA managed to delay the delivery of our luggage for almost three days - including the cases that had these boots in and it would have meant missing her best event in the World Championships, so don't *really* want it to happen again . . .)

Edited by chopper602 on Tuesday 2nd April 14:45

[chopper602]

parabolica said:

Can the bars be removed? Looks like they are bolt on. With them removed and wrapped up in hand luggage they might be ok, although they might look sus on the scanners and you'd have to explain what they are. The BA Restricted Items list does include blunt instruments and these might fall under that whether or not they are attached to the boots though.

ETA found this? https://www.britishairways.com/content/information... Surely these come under Specialist Equipment? There is contact info on the page.

Edited by parabolica on Tuesday 2nd April 15:33

Yes, they do come off (with a couple of spanners) and the BA contact info, once you go around in circles, is a phone line and I really want to send an e-mail including photos to explain what they are

[chopper602]

Bill said:

Presumably the metal bars are pretty standard (if niche...) and could be got hold of if needs be? In which case put the bars in the hold and keep the boots on you.

Nope - home made - customised for the individual.

I guess we'll have to be at the mercy of the baggage handlers and might end going via Dublin rather than dreadful Heathrow . . .

Edited by chopper602 on Tuesday 2nd April 20:00