TSA/US Airline inquiry: tripod as a carry on item?

I was hoping to carrying on my Gitzo's GT0530 (24" length) tripod and have been wondering what kinda success rate those who have flown lately have had doing this. Darn thing weighs less than 2.5 lbs with the Markins Q3 attached.

My Gregory Z30 pack will be my carry on luggage loaded with camera gear. The tripod easily attach's to the pack but just can't find the definite answer on the TSA web site if its allowed.

Thanks in advance for any input

Tsmith wrote in post #5688247
I was hoping to carrying on my Gitzo's GT0530 (24" length) tripod and have been wondering what kinda success rate those who have flown lately have had doing this. Darn thing weighs less than 2.5 lbs with the Markins Q3 attached.

My Gregory Z30 pack will be my carry on luggage loaded with camera gear. The tripod easily attach's to the pack but just can't find the definite answer on the TSA web site if its allowed.

Thanks in advance for any input

I don't have a definitive answer for you, but I doubt it. My SLIK tripod has "spikes" at the end of each leg, to dig into rough surfaces better. I would consider that a weapon, but that is just me. I would just call to be sure.

Not a problem...I just finished a trip to several SW national parks, and then a second trip to Havasu Canyon. Had my Gitzo GT2540 strapped to my camera backpack, and no questions at all from TSA. Sailed right through security without any issues. I doubt that you'll have any issues, unless as the previous poster mentioned, you have spiked feet on the tripod. I forgot the nomencalture on the TSA site, but a tripod is considered "photographic equipment" (IIRC their terminology). Just a thought...not sure if the Gitzo spiked feet are available for your model tripod, but if they are and you have them, I believe that they just thread off....just remove them and pack them in your checked luggage.

Beforehand, I removed by ballhead and stored it in my backpack, just in case something happened and I was forced to check my tripod (easier to replace a tripod on the road than a good ballhead and clamp).

Last time I flew, I packed my tripod in my checked luggage and everything else went as a carry-on. Worked fine. Keep in mind the rules are different if you are flying internationally, especially out of the UK...

I put my tripod in my checked bags. It's not as fragile as the electronics and I don't want to draw any more attention to my carry-on bags than I need to. Because if they decide to weigh them, I'm in trouble!

TSA web site does not list tripod or monopod in the list of items which cannot be in carry on, although (very, very illogically) a pool cue is more dangerous than both and must be checked!

Thanks for the input guys and to just be on the safe side I might opt to pack it in the Checked baggage.

Wilt I've heard of a lot of monopods being denied by the TSA.

The problem for passengers is, in addition to the official list, prohibited items can include anything either a TSA official or an airline employee deems dangerous.

Jon wrote in post #5692340
The problem for passengers is, in addition to the official list, prohibited items can include anything either a TSA official or an airline employee deems dangerous.

So true Jon and why I'd rather play it safe than have the tripod taken away and checked by itself. That wouldn't be very good and most likely wouldn't make the connecting flight.

Two months ago I flew to New York City and carried on my Domke camera bag, but I forgot that there was utility tool (pliers, screw drivers, three sizes of knife blades, etc.). As the bag went through the security check point they asked me to open the bag for inspection, but then allowed me to take the thing studded with knife blades and sharp, pointy things right onto the plane! I didn't even see the thing until I reached my hotel and opened my bag to check the contents for my day's travels. I was careful to put the tool in my checked bag for the trip home though.