Tripod & Carry-On

[Leszek Vogt]

Peter, you might be doing this chicken all wrong :>). I usually fly 2-3 times per year and I use a sizable (non-rip-nylon duffle). My Feisol tripod fits (w/o head) perfectly inside + other items, such as clothes, accessories, bla bla. Sure, I insulate it with various items and it goes below....and I bring the backpack inside the plane.

Yes, the TSA thing is all over the map....and I learned my lesson, since the tripod could be utilized as a "weapon" (in some folks view). Ha, what's worse is, that TSA may allow you to take it aboard, but object to it on the way back from Austin.

Les

[Peter De Smidt]

I just flew from Milwaukee to Dallas and back for a judo tournament, and I go to a number of tournaments around the country (and Canada) every year. I video my girls's matches. To do that I carry on a small bag with my camera gear, and I carry a Gitzo 1227. I pack the head in someone else's carry on. I put the tripod in the overhead bin. I've never had anyone question me about this, and I've done it for years.

[jeroldharter]

Go to a UPS store, have them box the tripod, ship it with a roll of packing tape inside, and save the box for re-shipping home.

[Vaughn]

Tripod
&
Carry
On

Would make a nice T-shirt...

[stawastawa]

I fly with my tripod severl times a year. It has spikes, but never a problem at security. Portland, New York, Boston, Burlington, Chicago, Denver.
I have had two carry on bags plus tripod and been fine.
My tripod is in a soft case which has an orange end. I have twice been asked if it is a gun. Silly people. But I appreciate "see something say something" policies.

~nicholas

[howardpan]

Well, I'm surprised to hear of all the incidences where people have been able to bring their tripods on to a flight. I had a small hexagonal wrench less than the size of my pinky almost confiscated at the Taipei airport last year. I made sure to have my tripods go in my checked luggage each time afterwards.


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[Keith Pitman]

There are some restrictions.

[Drew Wiley]

That figures. No wonder airline cabins always smell so stale !

[LabRat]

+1 with the duffle bag tripod transport... I carry an old Tiltall in a heavy canvas army surplus duffle with my clothes around it for padding and nobody cares about it in there when checked in to cargo below... ;-)

Steve K

[mike rosenlof]

Definitely nobody is going to care if you check it.

Last time I checked (2-3 months ago) the TSA web site said tripods are allowed. But. Agents at the security checkpoint have a lot of leeway to refuse to allow objects. And your airline can refuse it also. I put mine in checked luggage. I keep a tripod at my parents' house since I visit there fairly often. Actually, I keep a 4x5 camera at my parents' house. All I need to take there is film and a lens.