TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Umbrella

So I’m asking if anyone have taken down there own umbrella, more specifically a Shibumi Shade Mini? We are flying on AA and have checked their restrictions as well as the dreaded TSA and both say you can take down a umbrella. So I guess my main question is, has anyone done this before? Before everyone starts and tells me to just go to Ace Hardware, or call Craig at Pack Lite, there is a specific reason why I’m asking. A little background before going into to much detail, all of our STUFF is already on the island and has been for some time, so I’m literally walking through TSA with this 20”x4” umbrella. So has anyone done it?

Thanks in advance for all of your feedback. Hope ALL in this community are doing well.

Yes, you can bring an umbrella on a plane in either your carry-on or checked baggage, but it must pass through security. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends checking with your airline directly to find out if they allow umbrellas in the cabin and what size they will accept. A TSA officer will make the final decision and check for sharp points at security.

I would think you'd have no problem. I've seen many travelers carry on fishing poles before. Some in cases and some not. If the end has a sharp point then that could be objectionable to TSA. You could always check it in a PVC tube.

I used to bring a couple of small beach umbrellas and fishing rods in a small tavel golf bag.

We have carried our umbrella's in our checked bags several times. We used "Portabrella's ". Basic beach umbrella that screws into the sand. The key is to bring the sand bag that comes with it to hold the edge of the umbrella so that it doesn't blow away when the wind comes up.

We brought our Shibumi mini when we came in 2023. We are bringing it again this week.

I have taken an 8 ft beach umbrella many times. I put it in a 6" piece of pvc pipe and cap the ends to prevent damage and it goes in checked baggage.

"I have taken an 8 ft beach umbrella many times. I put it in a 6" piece of pvc pipe and cap the ends to prevent damage and it goes in checked baggage."
We did that in our first years coming to SXM. Even devised a handle for the PVC tubing. Now we just do what majority of people do on island. Rent from beach venders. We do pack a collapsible umbrella for those periodic showers in our carry on. Especially for our arrivals with currently no jet bridge.

I'm curious as to why this would even be a question. A Shibumi is not an umbrella; it's a shade with a collapsing fiberglass pole that couldn't be used as a weapon in any way that I can imagine. Are the ends of the pole sharp?

You bring an umbrella just to get off the plane?

No. We keep it in our car or condo in case there is a heavy rain forecasted or we see it raining before we plan on walking somewhere. Have had to use it in past visits.

Thanks for the response, my question is did you actually take yours thru a TSA checkpoint, or in checked luggage? Thanks again.

Thanks for the response, my question is did you actually take yours thru a TSA checkpoint, or in checked luggage? Thanks again. Sorry to keep repeating myself, but same question that I asked CharlieAndElaine, looking forward to your response.

Sorry SXMFox. Ours was in our checked luggage.