Just some data points from 2014; this time went via Newark successfully with carry-on microspikes to Alaska. Went from AK to Hawaii, no problem. Went from Hawaii back to JFK, also no problem.
And 11/18/2013 they let me leave Anchorage with microspikes as carry-on, no problem. One of the TSA employees mentioned that she had just bought her second set as the first broke. And indeed this is my second set too, as my first set is on its way out.
OK at LaGuardia
Hi Tom -
First hand knowledge: I successfully flew out of LaGuardia this past Monday November 11, 2013. I had a lot of extra time in case I had to go back through security and check a bag, and I put the micro-spikes in their box in a tub with just a few other things in it so...