Can You Carry-On a Tripod??

[annnewjerz]

Just wondering if you are allowed to carry on a tripod for your flight, or if that is something that they would need you to pack in your checked bag?

I know, I know...my trip is 9 months away, but I like to be well prepared.

For our first day there, I would like to bring my tripod along for some night shots of whichever park we are in. However, anyone who has used the Magical Express before knows that you may arrive at 12:00pm to your hotel, but chances are your bags won't arrive until you are already enjoying your first ride down Splash Mountain.

What are your experiences with checking v. carrying on your tripod?

I'm okay with throwing out a bottle of water or shampoo at security, but I don't think I could toss the tripod.

 

[Steve's Girl]

Check it. Most likely you will not be able to carry it on. I've heard of a few that were allowed to carry on a carbon fiber one, but most times, security has required it to be removed from carry on luggage. I just pack mine in the middle of all our clothes and it has made the trip many times.

 

[annnewjerz]

Check it. Most likely you will not be able to carry it on. I've heard of a few that were allowed to carry on a carbon fiber one, but most times, security has required it to be removed from carry on luggage. I just pack mine in the middle of all our clothes and it has made the trip many times.

That's what I was worried about---being told to remove it at security once our bags are already checked.

My thing is that on our first day, if park hours, etc. go as planned we want to get there and head straight out to DHS (it will be our only night there). If I have to wait for my bags to get delivered, I'll either A. lose time in the parks to begin with or B. have to make the trip all the way out of the park and back to the hotel to pick it up (not even knowing if it is there yet).

Hmmmmm...looks like a compromise must be made, and I HATE compromises

 

[Steve's Girl]

That's what I was worried about---being told to remove it at security once our bags are already checked.

My thing is that on our first day, if park hours, etc. go as planned we want to get there and head straight out to DHS (it will be our only night there). If I have to wait for my bags to get delivered, I'll either A. lose time in the parks to begin with or B. have to make the trip all the way out of the park and back to the hotel to pick it up (not even knowing if it is there yet).

Hmmmmm...looks like a compromise must be made, and I HATE compromises

Aren't you staying a Boardwalk? That's what husbands are for - running back to the room to get stuff. DHS to Boardwalk is only a short jog. Now, my poor DH, went from AK back to Boardwalk to get the extra battery I forgot. I paid for that one for the rest of the week though - had to stop at every beer cart in WDW.

 

[boBQuincy]

Without going into it too deeply, most of the TSA agents I have had to deal with are rather limited. Even if a tripod is supposed to be allowed if they say no then that is the end of it.

I check my tripod and hope for the best (I take the ballhead in my carry-on). Magical Express gives us the option to pick up our luggage at the airport carousel and stash it in the bottom of the bus. This is what I did on my recent 2 night trip, when I needed my tripod as soon as I arrived at WDW.
If you packed your tripod separately in a crush-proof container you could retrieve it at MCO and carry it with you.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Something else to consider - you don't have to have Disney handle your luggage when you use ME. You can pick it up off the carousels so then you can check it and have it when you get to the hotel.

Oops - got stopped when I replied and see that this was suggested!

 

[annnewjerz]

Aren't you staying a Boardwalk? That's what husbands are for - running back to the room to get stuff. DHS to Boardwalk is only a short jog. Now, my poor DH, went from AK back to Boardwalk to get the extra battery I forgot. I paid for that one for the rest of the week though - had to stop at every beer cart in WDW.

Yes we are at the Boardwalk and I know it's only a 15 minute walk or so, but can I really get away with sending DH back to the room for it?? It's only his second trip to WDW ever and I would feel horrible about making him be my chore boy (of course---I don't feel that way at home ) I wouldn't mind doing it myself but know that if I got there and it wasn't at our room yet---I'd be one unhappy camper.

 

[annnewjerz]

Magical Express gives us the option to pick up our luggage at the airport carousel and stash it in the bottom of the bus.

Bob and Kat---I didn't know they allowed you to do this. We've only used ME once and I thought if you were riding the bus, you had to put the special tag thingies on there and have them transport your luggage. This makes it SO MUCH EASIER.

I know this is OT---but do you know if you can do that one way? On the way down, I'd like to pick up our luggage and have it right when we get there, but on the way back---I'd much prefer they handled it. Can you do that?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Bob and Kat---I didn't know they allowed you to do this. We've only used ME once and I thought if you were riding the bus, you had to put the special tag thingies on there and have them transport your luggage. This makes it SO MUCH EASIER.

I know this is OT---but do you know if you can do that one way? On the way down, I'd like to pick up our luggage and have it right when we get there, but on the way back---I'd much prefer they handled it. Can you do that?

Yes, it can be one way. When you are returning there is airline luggage check-in. That all depends on your airlines participation (most do now) and getting it checked in within the proper time frame.

Just remember to not put the yellow tag on the bag you want to claim. That can be just the bag with the tripod, or all luggage if you want to do that since you'll be at baggage claim anyway.

 

[boBQuincy]

Can't help you with that one, we always fly Southwest, who does not participate in the return trip luggage pickup program.
One other issue, DVC rooms are not always ready before 4:00 (it seems to run about 50% these days) so you may need to check your luggage with bell services on arrival anyway. At least you will have your tripod!

Bob and Kat---I didn't know they allowed you to do this. We've only used ME once and I thought if you were riding the bus, you had to put the special tag thingies on there and have them transport your luggage. This makes it SO MUCH EASIER.

I know this is OT---but do you know if you can do that one way? On the way down, I'd like to pick up our luggage and have it right when we get there, but on the way back---I'd much prefer they handled it. Can you do that?

 

[annnewjerz]

Yes, it can be one way. When you are returning there is airline luggage check-in. That all depends on your airlines participation (most do now) and getting it checked in within the proper time frame.

Just remember to not put the yellow tag on the bag you want to claim. That can be just the bag with the tripod, or all luggage if you want to do that since you'll be at baggage claim anyway.

Awesome, thank you!

 

[Chikabowa]

I carry-on my tripod... no one has ever looked oddly at me at all. But I have a very specific pelican roller bag that houses all my camera and computer equipment. On that bag, there are straps that hold the tripod as part of the bag.

TSA looks at the equipment and lets me move on... In fact, my underwire bra has set off personal inspection more times than my camera gear has!!

I would just call the airline, explain to them your concerns and ask if it's ok to carry on the tripod. Once you get to TSA, you should be fine.

The only time I've been closely inspected in terms of my gear was at London-Heathrow - they went through every single piece of equipment, but that was only on the way home. And then again when going to Canada last year... they weren't upset with the gear, they were upset that I might be doing a professional job there and not paying them taxes on the money I was making. I wasn't (we were on an anniversary trip and just there to enjoy ourselves), so everything was just fine, but it did raise eyebrows initially.

 

[Todd_H]

Without going into it too deeply, most of the TSA agents I have had to deal with are rather limited. Even if a tripod is supposed to be allowed if they say no then that is the end of it.

This is absolutely true. Unfortunately, the TSA agents are not consistent with the enforcement.

I did both last year. I carried it on in April (with a carryon suitcase and my camera backpack with the tripod completely exposed) with absolutely no problems whatsoever. Then I went back in May and put my tripod in my checked bag and SW lost my bag . To add insult to injury, I then learned that SW will not compensate you for any photographic or electronic equipment in checked baggage (apparently its in the fine print). For my trip to France last month, I checked my tripod it it's case in my suitcase and didn't run into any problems (other than our luggage being overweight, but I attribute that more to the 5,000 pairs of shoes that my wife took ).

Either way, it's a pain to carry a tripod on a flight. Would it be possible to ship it down to WDW via UPS or FEDEX before you leave? It might cost you about $20-$30 round trip, but it's worth it IMO to not have to deal with it on the plane or in a checked bag (and reap the benefits of having it for those brilliant night shots that you're going to capture ).

Just my 2 cents.

 

[annnewjerz]

Either way, it's a pain to carry a tripod on a flight. Would it be possible to ship it down to WDW via UPS or FEDEX before you leave? It might cost you about $20-$30 round trip, but it's worth it IMO to not have to deal with it on the plane or in a checked bag (and reap the benefits of having it for those brilliant night shots that you're going to capture ).

Just my 2 cents.

OMG you're a genius. I didn't even think of that. I am going to ship some stuff down there ahead of time (snacks, etc. since we are staying at a DVC property) and since UPS is a client at the place I work and we get a 60% discount (or something crazy like that) I most definitely can ship it ahead of time.

We try to pack light on trips usually and in fact, I would prefer not to check a bag at all---but with the unpredictable weather in WDW in December, I think we may end up with one bag needing to be checked. I hadn't even considered the tripod may get lost and while UPS can get lost...at least I'd know if before I got there.

 

[dragonstarr]

do you think they'd be less likely to care about a monopod than a tripod? I have the lowepro fastpack 200 which does does have dedicated straps. I was going to put in the side side mesh pocket and tie the monopod strap to the loop on the top of the bag. My partner will be in a wheelchair and also have his crutches so we always get stopped for a detailed inspection, so I didn't know if they would be more or less likely to have a problem with it.

 

[annnewjerz]

do you think they'd be less likely to care about a monopod than a tripod? I have the lowepro fastpack 200 which does does have dedicated straps. I was going to put in the side side mesh pocket and tie the monopod strap to the loop on the top of the bag. My partner will be in a wheelchair and also have his crutches so we always get stopped for a detailed inspection, so I didn't know if they would be more or less likely to have a problem with it.

Great question. Haven't purchased one yet but when I did, I was going to keep that with me on the plane---probably in my purse. Maybe I'll have to ship that as well. Hmmmm.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

OMG you're a genius. I didn't even think of that. I am going to ship some stuff down there ahead of time (snacks, etc. since we are staying at a DVC property) and since UPS is a client at the place I work and we get a 60% discount (or something crazy like that) I most definitely can ship it ahead of time.

We try to pack light on trips usually and in fact, I would prefer not to check a bag at all---but with the unpredictable weather in WDW in December, I think we may end up with one bag needing to be checked. I hadn't even considered the tripod may get lost and while UPS can get lost...at least I'd know if before I got there.

You might want to check on the resort boards but there was talk that the company that deals with items shipped to the resort was going to start charging a fee for receiving items. I have no idea if it actually happened though, or if it did then to what packages it applies.

 

[annnewjerz]

You might want to check on the resort boards but there was talk that the company that deals with items shipped to the resort was going to start charging a fee for receiving items. I have no idea if it actually happened though, or if it did then to what packages it applies.

Thanks for the heads up, I pop into the resorts board once in a while but haven't been in a few weeks so I might as well. Luckily, I've got more than enough time to figure that out

Even that would be a-okay, considering the hefty discount I would receive from shipping it. I'd much rather have to pay $50 to ship stuff down than deal with the headaches of TSA, lost bags or returning to the resort to pick it up in the middle of our day. I'm usually really cheap, but convenience while on vacation is something I am usually more than willing to spend a little on.

 

[Donold_Fan]

When we travelled last September, I carried both a monopod and a tripod onto the plane. I didn't ask, I just didn't think and they didn't say anything. That being said, I'm surprised they let me carry them on, thinking back, but they did.

Of course, I've flown with someone recently that had a pocket knife on his keychain and didn't realize he'd forgotten to take it off until after we were in the connecting airport. It went through security with no problems. I wouldn't recommend trying that. He checked it on the return flight.

 

[Donold_Fan]

Perhaps I should clarify that it was a mini-tripod, about a foot tall with the legs retracted. I had it hanging off the bottom of my camera backpack, which is why I didn't think about it. It wasn't as obvious as a full size tripod.