In reply to Howard J:
> I can't see why anyone would deliberately try to get climbing gear into hand luggage. If it's to avoid paying a charge for hold luggage it seems a false economy, when there's every chance you may have to pay a much higher penalty to put it in the hold if security turn you away. The usual allowance of 20kg or 22kg should be plenty, but if not then reduce weight by putting clothes and other innocuous items in hand luggage rather than risk your climbing gear.
If its a safety issue, either you can or you cannot take a rope and krabs into the cabin, this should not be at the whim of the person on duty.
I believe if the BMC spoke to IATA or whoever and had a discusion and it was accepted these things are safe, the BMC could inconjunction with IATA produce a print out with pictures ro show at security, if there is an issue. Obviously this would not cover other airports such as in Spain and France, but the BMC could contact their national climbing bodies to do the same.
This would be a good and worthwile task for our national representative body.
On the other hand if it is deemed these items are a danger, I for one would like to know why security quite happily lets so many people get on carrying these items when we are at a Severe Threat level.