Are tripods allowed as carry-on items on planes?

[FenixDown]

I'd rather not check a bag, so I was wondering if they'd let me strap my tripod to my camera bag and bring it on board the plane

[jaybird]

Sometimes they do, and sometimes they do not. You should call the airline ahead of time and ask.

[ssim]

My experience has been to check it. I have always checked the website of the airline and called them but you have to make it past the TSA agents as well. These people are given so much discretion at what they may or may not want to let through it is frustrating to us.

I have checked alot of my gear over the years and I have never had a problem other than it missed a connecting flight because we were late getting in. It showed up on the next flight. If you pack it properly you are not going to have any issues.

[haisai-ojisan]

So far of the few times, I had luck carrying it with me on domestic flights.
Though on most occasions I had to take it off the backpack and run it through the x-ray machine (if that's what it's called) because with it on, it exceeded the measurement requirement.

But like ssim and jaybird said, I will now on call first to confirm and think it would be bet for you as well. Goodluck

[Wazza]

I've always checked mine in my luggage, but does take up a rather large part of my bag.
From Bangkok to London, with Emirates a few months ago, I actually checked it loose, and Emirates put it in a plastic large bag.

[kevin_c]

Call the airline - If they say "yes you can", just hope the check-in person agrees with them. - Invariably the check-in people do not work for the airline, they are just handling agents and they can have their own ideas and at that point you have to make a decision to either make a loud noise (and probably end up getting security involved) or have it checked-in as hold luggage...

I saw a guy last year arguing the toss about the size/weight of his hand luggage, claiming 'someone from the airline said it was ok', but he ended up being 'spoken to' in a private room by airport security (rubber gloves inspection I expect :shock:)

It will all depend on the airline really

[FlyingPhotog]

FWIW, domestically in the USA, the TSA website makes no mention whatsoever of tripods. I generally pack mine in a suitcase just for convenience but the half dozen or so times I've carried it on (in a soft case) they've not batted an eye.

Mine's a CF Induro and the only consideration I make is to not carry it on with the pointed steel tips intalled at the bottom of each leg. I make sure the plastic disc feet are installed and put the steel tips in the "tool pouch" and put the pouch in my checked suitcase.

[fishfoto]

Tripods and light stands are completely acceptable for carry on baggage on all US Domestic travel. There are some length/weight restrictions, such as a Television tripod would be disallowed on my airlines.

I fly with light stands as external exposed carry on items all the time, no problems.

For some more detailed info on carry on restrictions visit my site for flying photogs at www.flyingwithfish.com (http://www.flyingwithfish.com)

Happy Flying

-Fish