When I flew to Nepal in 2000, our checked bags were maxed out at the weight limit, so we carried all our metal hardwear on in our backpacks.
We had ice tools, crampons, "kifeblade" pitons, ice screws...all that stuff. And they didn't give us any hassel. those were the days...
The security check in Tokyo was pretty funny though, this petite Japannese woman with white gloves on pulling out my tools and crampons, you should have seen here face...
"They, are for mountain climbing"...making climbing motions with my arms. "ohhhh....ah so" nod,nod, bow, bow. Sweeet
I doubt they'd let you'd take even poles through carry on now, aybe if you were elderly or handycapped.