Flying with a Tripod?

[viper699]

Quick question- I've decided to bring a tripod with me for landscape trips.

The TSA website reads a tripod can be brought in the cabin.

However, as some may know, TSA has BROAD authority to stop anything from going on a plane, regardless of what their website reads.

What is everyone doing for this? The tripod I have is a MeFOTO Globetrotter.

I was going to strap it on the outside of my camera bag, probably put an old shirt or small sheet around it to protect it from getting hit etc.

Thanks!

 

[Lan]

Tripods are generally 'out of gauge' for most airline cabin baggage; they're too long.

My tripod always goes into my hold luggage anyway. I take the head off the tripod, and put the legs in the middle of my semi-rigid suitcase, and then wrap my clothes around it. Suitcase then goes in the hold.

In my experience airport security screeners don't like the look of tripods, particularly if you carry them in a bag. Table top tripods are OK, but anything bigger, and they're likely to twitch

I always try to minimise what I'm carrying on my person anyway. That way if the cabin limits are reached, they're more likely to be sympathetic if you're carrying a small bag, rather than five bulky things.

Small/fragile/expensive items like cameras and lenses stay with me; anything else like tripods, filters and spare bits go into the hold.

That said, airport security screening behaviour is almost completely random. Same staff, same airport, same time; but on a different day = completely different behaviour every time. I'm not talking marginal differences either. I sometimes wonder whether it depends on what they've found in the luggage that day If they find pot, they're relaxed; if they find LSD, they're surreal. I am joking. I think. Maybe.

 

[punman]

Been twice to New Zealand from Canada with a tripod. Did not want to chance carry-on. It arrived fine in my suitcase with my clothes.

 

[wb2trf]

On my last trip to Iceland out of Boston, two years ago, the overhead bins were full of tripods. I don't find any use for them in landscape, so personally I had no interaction to describe. However at least the security at Boston's Logan and returning from Reykjavik had no objections that I saw or heard.

 

[viper699]

Thanks! I'll be shooting water at some point, and so I need my tripod to keep the camera steady for longer exposures.

If I can pack it in my luggage I will it seems. The random enforcement of the rules etc is too risky I think. I'll never leave something I own at the airport w/the TSA. No way, no how. What a pain the TSA is due to their stupid inconsistency.

 

[Reggie Stration]

Quick question- I've decided to bring a tripod with me for landscape trips.

The TSA website reads a tripod can be brought in the cabin.

You could tell them you are using it to enforce social distancing...

Where are you flying to for non essential photography trips in the midst of a worsening pandemic?

 

[Bing Chow]

Put in checked luggage. My tripods are too big and I always check in the largest hardshell anyway. I don't travel for long periods and I never do laundry while on vacay. I do landscape primarily, so I don't need to limit my gear size like urban shooters do.

 

[CameraCarl]

I put mine in a duffle bag along with my clothes and check the bag. 20+ trips and (knock wood) no problems so far. If I have room, I put my ball head in my carry on camera bag; if not, it goes in the duffle bag, too.

 

[viper699]

Thanks people, checking it is what I'll do.

 

[BlueRay2]

Quick question- I've decided to bring a tripod with me for landscape trips.

The TSA website reads a tripod can be brought in the cabin.

However, as some may know, TSA has BROAD authority to stop anything from going on a plane, regardless of what their website reads.

What is everyone doing for this? The tripod I have is a MeFOTO Globetrotter.

I was going to strap it on the outside of my camera bag, probably put an old shirt or small sheet around it to protect it from getting hit etc.

Thanks!

i wouldn't take a chance and take my tripod inside the cabin with me, you never know what might TSA or the airline people might object to, especially if it is an overseas trip.

i always take my travel Gitzo 1545TUS carbon fiber tripod (it is a travel tripod but a tough carbon fiber made) in my main (check in) luggage safe and sound. never been bothered with it in the last 15 years.

good luck,

 

[viper699]

Agreed thanks all

 

[ActionPhotoPassion]

Reading the answers, I have the feeling that you're pretty unlucky in the U.S not to have the opportunity to have a travel tripod with your carry-on luggage.

When I was using my first tripod, a Vanguard Alta Pro, I was putting it in a hold luggage because it's an heavy and cumbersome tripod. Obliging me to register one more luggage even if not needed.

Since I discovered travel tripods, I don't even bother registering a hold luggage anymore.

I'm in Europe and so far I have had my travel tripods with my carry-on to Carribean islands and Western European countries. My travel tripods are Bonfoto carbon + gorillapod.

The Bonfoto is placed in the side pouch of my backpack and any employee of the airplane company can see at anytime. No problem with security neither, they know what is a tripod, it's not a weapon

I hope this pandemic and all the lock down restrictions stop soon enough, I miss traveling....****sigh****

 

[hotdog321]

I always put the tripod in the checked baggage--it's just too clunky and hazardous in a crowd. I carry on my camera, high-end lenses and pricey gear.

 

[viper699]

I always put the tripod in the checked baggage--it's just too clunky and hazardous in a crowd. I carry on my camera, high-end lenses and pricey gear.

 

[Nick5]

I always put the tripod in the checked baggage--it's just too clunky and hazardous in a crowd. I carry on my camera, high-end lenses and pricey gear.

My Globetrotter CF along with Carry case is sort in my checked bag. If not checking, I would still most likely use the carry case as well to protect.

 

[forceofnature]

Smaller tripods that will fit in overhead baggage I will pack in there. For larger tripods, I load in the larger bags to check-in. Monopods I will strap to my backpack and carry on. So far no issues at all.

 

[rrings]

Flown to Ireland, UK, Rome, California, Minnesota etc all from Cincinnati many times with a pretty big (far bigger than a standard travel tripod) many times and I've never even been challenged by TSA or any airline staff when leaving it strapped to my camera bag.

This includes the big transatlantic jets and small budget airlines within the UK (had to pay for overhead storage on the budget airlines).

One airport security guy in Heathrow had me take it off the bag and sent it through the Xray on its own once. You shouldn't have a problem.....just don't leave spikes attached if you use them, those should go in checked baggage.

 

[Gman58]

I can get my tripod in a carryon bag. Never been a problem.

 

[ActionPhotoPassion]

I can get my tripod in a carryon bag. Never been a problem.

If you're in the US it seems to show compared to the testimony of OP that the security @ US airports seem to do the thingsas they fell the day then ...

I really find stupid if an airport or a company ain't allowing travel tripod. Those are meant to be kept as carryon luggage. And nowadays noone want to travel registering hold luggage and have to wait retrieving it at the automatic belt... Personally I have enough losing my time in the queue to retrieve my rental car

 

[mreynolds767]

Many trips with a tripod too large for any carry-on

have done both checked it inside luggage and taken as a carry-on

never been an issue domestic or international for me but as you stated TSA employee can decide otherwise So feel best when able to check with luggage

i always take off my spikes and ballhead and put those in my carry-on.