Flights w/ Tripod

Hello. Just wondering how everyone travels w/ their tripod. I'm thinking of getting a Tamrac Expedition 5 & strapping a Dynatran 994 on the middle tripod straps. Will this be OK as a carry-on luggage? I know the bag alone qualifies as carry-on, but the tripod is a bit taller than the bag. Also, would the Expedition 5 provide enough protection?

Thanks,
Clyde

Tripods depend on the whim of the security checkers and the airline gate agents/flight crew. Better to check it (pack it in your suitcase) and be sure.

Well I'll agree with what Jon said, but I've flown with my tripod several times in the last few year w/o any issues and carried it on. While you will have zero issues if you check it, it could get stolen. I have a really old set of Bogen legs (10+ years old) that I put a strap on and have a RRS BH-40 on it. I fly with my LowePro Stealth digital 650 packed with all my camera gear, and the tripod on my shoulder on their straps.

When I get to security I just set them on the conveyor belt and send them through.
When I check in I keep both as out of sight as possible.
When i get to the gate I keep both as out of sight as possible.

I figure if they try to take it from me I'll either try to go back and check it (sperately) or if I can't do that I'll take the ballhead and strap off and "give them" the legs since they are old and I can use a new pair anyway... But since it's not written down anywhere that you can't take them on the plane I see no reason for them to say anything. How is it any different than a can that grandpa carries... And they can't say who's carrying it cause that's profiling....

Good Luck!

Oh, I'm planning on getting a small bog/sleeve for it though so it's less obvious as to what it is... But I'm not sure that will help at the Xray, because they've never given it a second glance there because it's so obvious what it is.

Ben

I check my tripod in a suit case, and carry on my camera backpack...

when i had a destination wedding shoot, I had two tripods in my suitcase w/ a few pairs of underwear for check in. the rest of my camera equipments including a laptop were carry on.

Ok thanks guys. I guess I'll have to place the tripod in my luggage.

Great thread.

I'm in the same position. I have an Expedition 5 (which I found out this evening is NOT the bag for me....) and I'm going to strap my complete tripod to the bag and carry them on.

I'll let you know the results!!

iLuveKetchup wrote in post #2640792
Hello. Just wondering how everyone travels w/ their tripod. I'm thinking of getting a Tamrac Expedition 5 & strapping a Dynatran 994 on the middle tripod straps. Will this be OK as a carry-on luggage? I know the bag alone qualifies as carry-on, but the tripod is a bit taller than the bag. Also, would the Expedition 5 provide enough protection?

Thanks,
Clyde

Tripod as carry-on on a plane? Good luck with that! I've always checked mine in luggage; take off the ball head and turn the tripod diagonally, and most will fit inside standard sized luggage. Tripods are plenty sturdy and can handle going under the plane.

I mean, I could easily brain someone with my Manfrotto -- they'd have to be out of their minds to allow that as a carry on.

FWIW, here's the TSA's site:

http://www.tsa.gov …ted-prohibited-items.shtm

While tripods aren't listed, I suspect they'd be lumped in either with one of the club-like sporting implements (baseball bat, etc.) or one of the "tools".

chakalakasp wrote in post #2650219
I mean, I could easily brain someone with my Manfrotto -- they'd have to be out of their minds to allow that as a carry on.

Mmm. Guess I didn't think of it like that.

The only thing stopping me from taking apart my tripod is that I have to reassemble it. All my utility tools/screwdrivers have knives on them.

Just checked the Leatherman site and they have this little gem

http://www.leatherman.​com …nifeless-Fuse/default.asp

No knife!!

I may just try to get the whole tripod on as carry on and see what happens!!