traveling with monopod or tripod

[bfaust]

What is your experience of traveling with a tripod or monopod? In check in or Carry-on?

thanks

Bruce

[robertwgross]

There are two considerations, theft and damage.

In general, thieves want to grab something that is valuable and small, so they go after cameras, jewelry, and cash. They generally don't want to fool around with anything as large as a tripod unless it were gold-plated.

When I travel internationally, I generally wrap my tripod in some bubble-wrap and then place it into a cardboard wrap of some kind. Then that goes into my checked dufflebag. All of my most valuable camera gear goes into the carryon bag.

---Bob Gross---

[DaveG]

What is your experience of traveling with a tripod or monopod? In check in or Carry-on?

thanks

Bruce

I use a piece of bungee cord to tie the monopod to my tripod. Then the whole thing, sans the ball head, goes into a plastic bag - and the airlines usually provide great quality bags for wrapping things. I have put the monopod in my large suitcase too, and haven't had a problem either way. But you'll freak them out if you try to take it as carry on!

[GPR1]

I took my tripod internationally this summer, packing it in a convenient spot of some semi-rigid checked luggage. It travelled unharmed, and I didn't have to lug it through the airport.

Of course, you do stand some risk of theft, but I agree with the above comment that it's not small and convenient to hide, so it's less likely to be stolen. Many people also don't know what a tripod is worth, especially a nice carbon fiber one.... My wife does.

Greg

[Tapeman]

My tripod goes in my checked baggage - no problems

However my checked bag has been opened and inspected after it left my posession on two occasions. Still no problem.

Bodies, lenses etc. I carry on.

[randyk]

I haven't traveled with mine but if I ever do, it will be one of the few camera related items to get packed. Not worth enuff to worry about it. On the other hand, if i had one of those high end carbon fiber ones, guess I would have to carry it. A good reason not to own one.

[MrChad]

I'm flying to Cali for a trip end of this week, I'd love to take my mono-pod but it won't fit in my roller luggage. I was only planning some carry on luggage small trip.

I plan to call my airline (AA) but can you even take a mono-pod as a carry-on?

[Jon]

Check it right off. Whether it's listed by TSA or not, their "security" guards aren't bound to their rules and can ban whatever they feel like. If you plan on checking it, you can pack it inside your suitcase. If you have to check it at the security checkpoint, it'll be rattling around loose.

[nation]

I'm flying to Cali for a trip end of this week, I'd love to take my mono-pod but it won't fit in my roller luggage. I was only planning some carry on luggage small trip.

I plan to call my airline (AA) but can you even take a mono-pod as a carry-on?

Not sure if airlines still have this but I recall that pre 9/11 if you were carrying on board something the airlines considered dangerous they would ask you to leave it in cabin hold. This meant that you didn't physically take the item on board but the cabin crew/security took it for you and placed in their special security hold on board. You then collected the item from them upon arrival. I would surprised if this arrangement still exists post 9/11 though.

[MrChad]

I got one of those thich heavy cardboard tubes with end caps for mailing. Very thick wall, I plan to stick my monopod in that and check it with my roller case. Hopefully it will make it...

[bolantej]

yeah just wrap it in bubble wrap and write "frageelee" on it. ;)

[zeker]

Since I got my Slick 614 carbon fiber packing a tripod is no longer a problem. Since the 614 closes to 18 inches and weighs under 2 lbs it takes up little space in my suitcase. I have even packed it in a carry-on. Best of all, it extends to over 61" and stable enough for most shooting.

[d110pickup]

I just returned from a three week trip to Zambia & South Africa and on every flight I had the mono pod attached to the shoulder strap fittings of my carry-on bag with velcro. No one gave it a second look.
Flew Atlanta - Amsterdam - Cape Town and back without a question or problem.
Mike