Airtravel and tripods

Beachcomber Joe wrote in post #16688721
Tripod in checked baggage, head in carry on.

The few times I do check my tripod the ball head is with the carry on as well.

I try not to do planes. Last time I travelled (the whole of January) I had five tripods in the back. (Or was it six?)

Brazil makes you check a tripod...

I flew to the Dominican Republic last summer and boarded 4 different flights. Each time I had my tripod and camera bag as my carry on and never had an issue.

SeattleSpeedster wrote in post #16689817
Brazil makes you check a tripod...

Good to know. So there are at least two countries in the world that do require you to check tripods.

This past trip I picked up a RRS TP-243 specifically so that it could be in carry on. Not wanting to risk the spiked feet, I optioned for rubber feet for both ends. This was the maiden flight with it and the TSA at LAX passed it through without issue. The TSA agent in Hawaii did a hand inspection but I suspect that all the cables for the laptop (HDMI, network cable, USB cables, power cord) and the battery chargers were more suspicious. The RRS TFA-01 mini tripod was also in the same bag.

Have flown with the Gitzo and Bogen (checked) on past trips in separate tripod bags-cases and they have not been an issue. Domestic and Japan travel. The gate agents in Japan had more issues with the set of hex key wrenches than the other photo gear being carried on.

Notwithstanding national guidelines re security, which we know as totally screwed up anyway, I think that as much as anything it depends on the mood of the Agent scrutinising your carry-on. Some are realistic, some in a bad mood, you may even come across one with indigestion or who has had a row with wife/girlfriend [or both ]. In the long run, it's down to the individual Agent with the power to say yes / no. I've had a 1.5inch eyeglass screwdriver confiscated as "a dangerous weapon", had my walking stick (cane) very thoroughly scrutinised** yet no queries at all over tripods or 48 AA batteries, ever. You never can tell what's going to happen!

**I've also been quite politely but very firmly "told off" for going through normal channels rather than the fast lane - for that same walking stick! You really never can second-guess the Security Agent and I've come to the conclusion there's little point in trying; there are as many answers as there are Agents. Most of the so-called "security" is more a matter of being seen to take precautions rather than actual, proper security - ie it's a façade.

When in doubt check in the tripod.

I always have and no problems so far.

I've never had an Issue carrying a tripod on, in a bag. I've even seen one guy just carry his
Manfrotto 055 onto the flight, several times, over the course of a year, when I use to fly
between Edmonton, AB and Vancouver, BC every 2 weeks. Nobody ever said anything about
him carrying 5 pounds of steel plus the 488RC2 head on it.

But, since I picked up a smaller, lighter, Carbon Fiber Tripod, and started packing much
less cloths, I just tuck it into my one checked bag, which leaved me more room for lenses
in the Carry one.

--Evan

in my carryon on luggage.

I take the head off and it makes the legs fit into my duffel bag.