What are they making these spirals out of? It doesn't seem like it would be gum paste, as they have them on some of their cakes where they are huge. I know I can't make them out of gum paste with-out them breaking as I placed them. I can't comprehend how a client could transport a cake with them bouncing.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=532661903461672&set=pb.102924789768721.-2207520000.1371698856.&type=3&theater

Sure they are. Might be pastillage, but probably GP. What you probably don't see is the ends are probably straightened, and have a wire or skewer that is anchoring them into the cake. Unless someone manhandles the cake badly or bounces it around too much, they're pretty sturdy.

really? I realize they are straight with a support running into the cake..........but I'd break those just picking them up.

Than it must have something to do with the thickness and the exactness of the spiral that makes it sturdy?

Nah, they aren't that delicate. Unless you have man hands! I have man hands at times. 

Ok, if anything, the ends are maybe not flattened down and are thicker. That's the only part that would need to be really sturdy. If you're careful and only handle them by the ends, then no biggie.

So than, I'm thinking there must be a difference between gum paste brands. Are some brands less fragile?

Eh, I definitely prefer Satin Ice gumpaste for most of my stuff. Not their fondant, but the GP is good. I think you just need to make sure you make stuff like way in advance, because if it's damp, you'll crack it for sure. Just handle carefully. But if I were presented with this cake for an order, I'd use GP and make sure the ends were a little fatter to accomodate a wire or skewer.