Are Tripods as carry ons allowed?

[AndrewWG]

Does anyone on here know if I can bring my tripod in it's case as a carry on item on Southwest airlines? I would rather not store it in my checked luggage as it wont get to me for a few hours after my arrival with Magical Express. I am planning on going right to the parks after a quick check in at the hotel. If I can bring it in the plane with me, that would be helpful.

 

[ukcatfan]

Not sure, but have heard that the metal ones have to be checked.

Kevin

 

[boBQuincy]

TSA doesn't specifically mention tripods, it is up to the agent at the security checkpoint. TSA also says it is part of their strategy to be inconsistent. In that aspect they are doing a fine job.

I pack my tripod in my checked luggage, padded by clothing, and use a TSA-approved lock on the bag. The lock is only one step above worthless but it's one more layer of protection.

If you have a decent tripod head take it off and carry it with you.
Oh yes, "have a nice flight"!

 

[SharonLowe]

Unless you are a pro with press credentials, they will likely treat it like a bat, which is not allowed. You can probably live without it for one evening and just up your iso or use trashcans or other forms of support.

 

[Groucho]

I was forbidden from carrying on my monopod in January (even talked to the head of security) - you might have slightly better luck with a tripod (it's more than just a big aluminum stick ), but I would still say that you're unlikely to be able to carry it on.

Like Bob, I carry them inside my main luggage surrounded by clothing.

 

[AndrewWG]

Well, these answers confirmed what I had thought. Oh well. I'll pack it and use it the other nights. Maybe I'll get back to the room later on that day and get it anyways.

Just curious, if a tripod is like a bat, what does that make the 70-200 f2.8L? I think it is even more dangerous than the tripod!

Thanks for the responses. I'll be sure to post pics when I return!

Is there anyone else going from Nov 22 through the 27th?

 

[DizneyNutz]

We have flown the past two trips and are flying again this trip. My carry on has been a canvas gym bag type that my tripod would fit into (not professional quality many of probably use) along with my camera bags, etc. It has caused us a hiccup going through the X-ray a little, but nothing I would consider as an inconvenience. I would just open the bag wide open and even tell them that it is in there and that it has been an item of concern on previous flights. They have always allowed it through with little hesitation.

 

[AndrewWG]

We have flown the past two trips and are flying again this trip. My carry on has been a canvas gym bag type that my tripod would fit into (not professional quality many of probably use) along with my camera bags, etc. It has caused us a hiccup going through the X-ray a little, but nothing I would consider as an inconvenience. I would just open the bag wide open and even tell them that it is in there and that it has been an item of concern on previous flights. They have always allowed it through with little hesitation.

I think I'm gonna pack it and ask at security if it would have been allowed through. My main problem is that if I don't pack it and it is a problem, they will either take it or force me to go back and check it as baggage. That wouldn't be a real problem, but we are travelling on Thanksgiving morning and I fear the security lines will be VERY long. If that is the case, I may miss the flight. I would, however be able to take a nice panning shot of the plane leaving without me! I wouldn't want that. I'm still going to ask though. I'll probably get a quick "no" or "yes" and I won't get a real conversation about it.

 

[Steve's Girl]

Is there anyone else going from Nov 22 through the 27th?

Yep. We'll be there the 22nd thru Dec. 1.

 

[DizneyNutz]

That what caused them concern in the X-ray was the gears/ threading (mechanical look) and once I pulled out the tripod they saw what they were looking at. Now I just tell them upfront that there is a camera tripod in the bag and it goes quicker. Scary thought is that it has only been a concern both times at Orlando Airport on our way back, not at our home airport flying there.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

TSA doesn't specifically mention tripods, it is up to the agent at the security checkpoint. TSA also says it is part of their strategy to be inconsistent. In that aspect they are doing a fine job.

I pack my tripod in my checked luggage, padded by clothing, and use a TSA-approved lock on the bag. The lock is only one step above worthless but it's one more layer of protection.

If you have a decent tripod head take it off and carry it with you.
Oh yes, "have a nice flight"!

I had mine in my checked bag as well, and had the TSA approved locks on it too. They cut open my locks! I was under the impression that they had keys to open those ones, so why cut the locks? I thought that was strange. Thank goodness my tripod was still in my bag when I got my luggage 3 days after arriving at WDW.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

TSA doesn't specifically mention tripods, it is up to the agent at the security checkpoint. TSA also says it is part of their strategy to be inconsistent. In that aspect they are doing a fine job.

I pack my tripod in my checked luggage, padded by clothing, and use a TSA-approved lock on the bag. The lock is only one step above worthless but it's one more layer of protection.

If you have a decent tripod head take it off and carry it with you.
Oh yes, "have a nice flight"!

I had mine in my checked bag as well, and had the TSA approved locks on it too. They cut open my locks! I was under the impression that they had keys to open those ones, so why cut the locks? I thought that was strange. Thank goodness my tripod was still in my bag when I got my luggage 3 days after arriving at WDW.

 

[campinggal]

As true to anything related to airline travels- this is filled with inconsistencies!

I've traveled with my lighweight Velbon tripod in its case attached to the bottom of my carry-on bag (there are straps that I can slip the whole thing through) and haven't been questioned onced going thru security.

I think I've gone thru security at least 5 times over the past three years with my tripod- also on Southwest- and it has been fine.

Although given you are flying on one of the busiest weekends of the year- it might be a good idea not to do anything that might raise an eyebrow.

I usually have it as a carry-on going to WDW as we hit the parks right when we arrive but on the return trip- it has been in my luggage.

Have a great trip!

 

[AndrewWG]

A bit of info I got last night from the "Magical" people at Port Orleans French Quarter is that if I want, I can pack it in my checked luggage and NOT put the magical express tag on that bag. Then I can pick it up at the luggage area and bring it to the Magical Express bus myself. That way, I can have my tripod AND my clothes if I want them that badly. Seems like an ok idea to me since my parents will have already been at the hotel a couple days and I can throw my bag in their room until I return from the parks!

 

[handicap18]

Never even thought of that idea Andy. That could work. I was going to suggest a small tripod that you can use on the trash cans. Maybe a gorilla pod. That fits nicely in a carry on bag. I also have a travel size tripod that when folded up is about 14" long and fits perfectly in a backpack. I think I might bring that to use if we meet up at MK on Mon.

 

[Furgus]

There was a question about this in the Dec issue of PopPhoto. They had a link to TSA saying that Carbon Fiber Tripods are allowed as carry on, and Metal Tripods are not. I will see when I get home if I can quote the Question and Answer. I remember laughing a bit cause the person who answered the questions said something like, "I guess they don't think CF can be used as clubs."