Tripods on US Domestic flights?

I have the Slik Pro 700DX and will be traveling a bit during June. This beast of a tripod will not fit in any luggage I currently own, but I want to bring it with me.

Does anyone have any experience bringing a tripod as carry-on luggage?

Get a well padded tripod bag with a shoulder strap as a carryon piece.

tvphotog wrote in post #10248855
Get a well padded tripod bag with a shoulder strap as a carryon piece.

Then why not check it in??

I have a backpack for work with a 17" laptop. My tripod (Manfrotto - about 23" folded) sticks out the top but I've never had a problem with it and I fly every other week with it.

Also flew international with it and just carried it on with my sling, no problems on the domestic or international flights.

Also, I remove my RRS ball head and center pole obviously to reduce the height (and avoid damage).

Dr Lazarus wrote in post #10248893
Also flew international with it and just carried it on with my sling, no problems on the domestic or international flights.

This is encouraging. I'm not worried about damage, since my tripod is virtually indestructible. Which is why it's heavy as lead.

Mine's CF and I was a bit worried about it with impact. On the first lot of trips I slid it on the floor by the window side, but now with all the extras taken off I can jam it in the overhead still in my backpack.

Hi Ken,

I have been very fortunate over the past 30 months or so travelling nationally and internationally with my camera gear. I have sometimes packed my Giotto tripod and head in my luggage for check-in, and other times I have travelled with this slung over my shoulder. In both scenarios I have never experienced difficulties or additional expense.

The airlines now have a stricter policy relating to excess luggage and WILL penalise over-weight bags with maximum penalties (profit-building). I was going to be charged $155.00 for an extra 6kg by Delta Airlines flying from Miami-Atlanta-London.

At the moment, the airlines (and I have travelled with several International Carriers) take a sympathetic approach to those passengers carrying tripods and I have not witnessed anybody being 'fined' unduly for carrying a tripod as 'carry-on' with the obligatory 'one-piece'.
(They are also sympathetic to those carrying prams/push-chairs for people with real babies!)

Note:
All items get 'Security-Scanned' anyway. So as long as nothing is inside the hollow tripod legs - then you'll be just fine

Excellent news - thanks guys! Worst case scenario I'll just carry it by hand now that I know I shouldn't experience any issue.

I tried bringing my tripod on the plane once and the airline requested that I check it in with the luggage.

Julian,

GULP - sorry to hear that!!

Was it a totally full flight ?
Did you have to pay ?

The TSA has no issue with tripods.

You need to ask your airline however.

Cham_001 wrote in post #10251929
Julian,

GULP - sorry to hear that!!

Was it a totally full flight ?
Did you have to pay ?

I did not have to pay. I did ask before I checked in my bag.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10251942
The TSA has no issue with tripods.

You need to ask your airline however.

What he said.

Ken,

Good question. I float remote rivers in arctic Alaska often. We take lots of gear as you might imagine. I trust TSA as far as I can throw them. Problem is, one guy says "No" and you are screwed. Not like you have much of an arguement. I have talked to guys that were allowed to bring on their $300 fly reels, but were forced to take the fly lines off. Seriously. Talk about a PITA. Tripods are not mentioned in the rules from what I recall. I do wish you luck, but do be aware that you may be forced to check your tripod. The bigger and more imposing it is, the more likely I would say. Be prepared for the worst is my suggestion. The only reference I can recall from TSA is them saying no "tool" over 7" is allowed in carry on baggage. Have a padded bag to put it in if you have to check it. When money is burning a whole in your pocket, check out the Feisol in my signature. It will forever cure the flying with tripods issue. I just got back from a remote cabin in SE Alaska in fact. This tripod is made for travel. And when you get there, it is rock solid and plenty tall (I am 6'6") even though it has no center column which not only makes it sturdy, but it also gets really low for macro. This thing will fit in any bag or suitcase you would ever check. And as others suggest, do take the ballhead off during transport.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10251942
The TSA has no issue with tripods.

they complimented me on mine 2 weeks ago going to Antigua. Carried it right on in my hand, no bag no nothing. I've always done it this way. Hide it when you check in (just don't make it super obvious), same when you get to the gate, just be quiet about it basically. I've NEVER had an issue with it. If there were to ask me to check it, I'd spin the head off and put it in my camera bag then check JUST the legs, but I've never had to deal with that. As long as you get past the counter though (e check in and no checked bags guarantees that) you'll get past TSA and then the worst they can do is gate check it, but at that point ask them to put it with the umbrellas up front.