In reply to NottsRich:
I've recently returned from Spain with only hand luggage, consisting of nothing but climbing kit: helmet, harness, slings, carabiners, belay device, prusiks, head torch (my mates took the rope / QDs in hold luggage). Was stopped for 5 mins at Malaga while they x-rayed it and asked me stuff in Spanish. Wasn't sure they'd let me on, till finally 'escalante??'. Yes, I said, and they smiled.
Moral - I think I was just lucky