Tripod carry on.

[jkderby]

Does anyone know for sure if I can take my tripod as a carry with my camera gear? It is a carbon fiber about 14" long.

[srwatters]

As recently as September I carried on my AL Manfrotto tripod. This was an AA flight from D/FW to Palm Springs CA. I would however be prepared to pack it in your checked bag if you have one. If you don't, consider FedEx if possible. YMMV.

[Angelo]

I will be leaving on a trip Friday and will be packing my tripod in my checked suitcase.
The problem is that each TSA agent thinks different and if he says NO you may have a problem trying to catch your checked bag to put it in. Not worth taking the chance.

Another thing: don't take any liquids such as lens cleaning liquid because they may not allow it. I had a problem in Paris with a small eye drop bottle.

[Gordon]

I've never been able to carry on a tripod. From a tiny little table top one all the way up to a full size one - had to be checked :(

If they don't let you take a baseball bat on, then a tripod is a stretch :)

[jerrykr]

just returned from a trip to Calif.

I put my tripod and monopod in my checked bag. I put it on top of my clothes so that they would not have to dig down in them to find it.

The bag was opened and checked both ways. They place a notice in the bag, stating that it was opened and inspected.

I agree, it is too much like a weapon to expect to get it on board in carry-on.

All of my other camera equipment was in my carry on. It was opened and inspected when I went thru security once, but I was watching the guy.

No problems.

BTW: good tip about the liquid lens cleaner. I put it in our checked bag along with my wife's hair care stuff.

-=- Jerry -=-
/*

[Angelo]

Good to hear Jerry. I just took my tripod apart in order to put into the suitcase I plan to check in.

I've considered using some of those eye glass swipes instead, and taking a couple of them in the camera bag (instead of taking the eye dropper bottle).
Does anyone use them or won't use them? If so, why?
The ones I have are made with the Zeiss (pre-moistened cloths containing Isopropyl alcohol) brand name and they can be used on coated lenses, or so they say.

[jkderby]

Thanks for all the info. Into the suit case it goes.

[t00mies]

Originally Posted by Angelo

Good to hear Jerry. I just took my tripod apart in order to put into the suitcase I plan to check in.

I've considered using some of those eye glass swipes instead, and taking a couple of them in the camera bag (instead of taking the eye dropper bottle).
Does anyone use them or won't use them? If so, why?
The ones I have are made with the Zeiss (pre-moistened cloths containing Isopropyl alcohol) brand name and they can be used on coated lenses, or so they say.

are you talking about the ziess ones that you get in a pack of 200 from sams club? i've used them for wiping down my lenses (when i dont have my lenspen), and i've used them wrapped around a q-tip for cleaning the sensor on my 300D. they seem to work ok, no scratches yet...


t

[dsjsws]

I have always carried my tripod on. (Tucked in my carry on suitcase).
They always "search" my camera gear. Last time it took about an hour to get through.
Good luck.

Donna

[Angelo]

T, yes those are the ones. I have some q-tips as well, but for the sensor?
I just purchased a sensor clearer (TPF recommended) so I'll check to see what
it's made of. I'm not as brave as you are...

[Angelo]

Donna, I try to make as easy as possible for the TSA people. I'd strip down to my undies if I could get through any faster. But then they'd have to evacuate the airport.LOL

One hour? Wow, I'd go bunkers and probably miss the flight.

[dsjsws]

Originally Posted by Angelo

Donna, I try to make as easy as possible for the TSA people. I'd strip down to my undies if I could get through any faster. But then they'd have to evacuate the airport.LOL

One hour? Wow, I'd go bunkers and probably miss the flight.

Angelo,

I've threated to go through in my "undies" lots of times. Might as well - Lots of times I have to take my hair down, take off shoes, take off jewelry, take off belts. It would be easier to just dress afterwards and go in my pj's.
I quite wearing a bra until after I go through because the underwire always caused them to want to do an rather "intrusive" search.
One lady in France actually showed up "undressed" as a protest some time last year.
They arrested her for "indecent exposure".
You can't win.
Solved the problem. If I can't drive. I don't go.

[Angelo]

I had it down to a science with my 20D equipment and would go through without much difficulty. But my wife has one of those compacts that gets her everytime. She now takes it out and puts it into a plastic baggie already exposed. Thats been getting her through much faster now.

Also, if you plan to take only a carry on, which I very often do, it's recommended that you place all shaving gear, tooth paste, etc., in clear plastic bags and remove them from your carry on suitecase and place them in one of their tubs separately.

I will be traveling with new equipment (a lot bigger and heavier) which has not been through a security check yet. This Saturday will tell whether I will have problems or not. I'll give myself an extra hour to be safe.

If it's 500 miles or less I usually drive.

[Al Buckner]

It seems to all depend on the TSA agent you encounter at the passenger check point. They each have their own interpretation of the rules.

I generally pack my tripod or monopod inside my checked luggage. Occasionally, I've tried to carry my monopod. Sometimes I get through the first TSA agent, but when I change planes the second TSA agent says NO. Some know what it is and some think it's a baton. If I get caught in the middle, they just check it with the airline and hand it back to me at the end.

Hasn't been a big problem but sometimes a little hussle. Once I got pulled into the security office and had to answer questions why I had it. Once I showed them the camera bag and explained it was a monopod... not a baton, they let me go and checked it. That has only happened once.

I'm thinking of removing the head and adding a handle, extending the mono to look like a walking cane and hobbling along at the check point.