Flying and Tripod

[jchooper12]

DOes anyone no the rules for taking your cameras and a tripod as carryon? Would the tripod be considered your second carryon item? Also, I hear that you have to have your batteries out of your camera when going through the checkin, is that right?

[bmiller411]

My tripod is in the hole bag, taken apart. I have never heard of having to remove your battery. I've been shooting for the last 30 years and never had to remove them.

NOTE: If your tripod is attached to your camera bag it would be part of that carryon. I would think

[CaptainTom]

A tripod can be considered a weapon, or not, depending on the particular TSA screener. I have heard from people who have been, and who have not been allowed with monopods and tripods.
Never heard about batteries. Sometimes they ask you to turn on your camera to confirm it is real.

look here for rules - under electronic devices

[Adcox]

You don't have to take the batteries out of your camera. As far as tripods go I guess it would depend upon how big it is. My tripod fits in my suitcase and I never get questioned about it. If you are able to strap it to your camera bag you should be okay.

[LadyShutterBug]

the only times i have ever been asked to turn my camera on to show it's real were

a) a december flight right after 9/11/01-- but they had me turn on EVERYTHING, including curling iron and hair dryer.

b) a flight from canada back into the US... oddly enough i didn't have to turn it on for the flight INTO canada. dang US customs officers also wouldn't let me take my apple on the plane.

over the past year i have traveled texas to chicago and back a couple of times and texas to california and back... no camera problems whatsoever... i always carried them on including extra batteries. the only thigns i had to take out of my bags were liquids/gels and my laptop.

i have not traveled with a monopod or tripod, can't help ya there.

[jchooper12]

I have the Lowepro Photo Trekker AW II and wonder if anyone else has that bag and has had any trouble traveling with it as carryon.

[fivegrand]

If your camera bag fits within the volume limitations set by the particular airline you're going to fly on (the TSA does not care abotu carryon size), you should have no problem. Additionally, credentialled photographers are allowed their camera bags as an additional carryon.

The last time I flew, I carried on my standard carryon rolling suitcase (carryon), a soft sided cooler full of food (personal item), and my Tamrac Pro-9 backpack style camera bag (additional carryon).

As I've said before, nobody anywhere cared about anything except the very small bottle of lens cleaning fluid in my camera bag that I'd forgotten about.

[AllenAyres]

I've carried my monopod in my carryon just about everytime I've flown in the last few years, I've never been questioned on it. It's one of the smaller ones tho (perfect for a walking stick if I want one), and I'm sure results would vary from airport to airport.

[ibleave]

I've put my Gitzo tripod in my carryone luggage - for domestic flights with no problem. When going overseas, I put it in my check in luggage -- and not had any problems so far. I think when the security people see all of my carry on camera gear (and I take a whole lot of stuff w/me), the assume I'm a pro and leave me alone. I've never been searched or stopped going anywhere in the US or in Asia Pacific or Europe. I'm going to Heathrow this weekend and that may be a new venue with different requirements -- we'll see. If I have check in luggage, that's where I put my tripod. No check in luggage, then it goes with me as carry on.

[Comanche]

As Tom says above, so much depends on the screener. I had my monopod pulled once because it could easily be used as a weapon (true), and have always put my tripod in checked luggage. Everything else I have as carry on.

[Comanche]

Originally Posted by fivegrand

Additionally, credentialled photographers are allowed their camera bags as an additional carryon.

This is interesting. Any idea where I could find this in writing - there's nothing on the TSA web site that I can find.

I wonder what TSA would consider "credentialed." I have a press card - would that do to allow me to carry on more "stuff?"

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by Comanche

This is interesting. Any idea where I could find this in writing - there's nothing on the TSA web site that I can find.

I wonder what TSA would consider "credentialed." I have a press card - would that do to allow me to carry on more "stuff?"

There's no actual requirement to be 'credentialed' as far as the TSA are concerned. However, various carriers treat photographers differently - some let you pre-board early, some don't let you have the extra bag.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1248.shtm

[Comanche]

Thanx, Gordon -

[Sideline]

Originally Posted by jchooper12

I have the Lowepro Photo Trekker AW II and wonder if anyone else has that bag and has had any trouble traveling with it as carryon.

I have one also and it has never been a problem.