Tripod Carry-on?

[mom2rtk]

Have any of you encountered any problems taking your tripod as a carry-on? Mine is fairly small, and I was going to put it in its bag inside another carry-on. I was thinking of popping into the Magic Kingdom on arrival night for the lighting of the castle but won't have my Magical Express luggage yet.

 

[Icemann]

I have flown Delta and Southwestern like that with no problem.But last week I put it in my checked bag just to make sure their would be no problem.When are you going to WDW

 

[Evad]

I did the same as you plan, bag in a bag, and had no problems last October. Just remember it's not the airlines you need to worry about it's the TSA. They are the one's doing the checking.

 

[mom2rtk]

We leave next Saturday. It just makes me nervous because if there is a problem, then what??? It's not worth having it that first night to take a chance on not having it at all on the trip.

I'm mailing a small tabletop Christmas tree down to the resort today and have considered putting it in that box so it's waiting when I arrive, but even that comes with its own small risk.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I usually take the head off of mine and through the legs into my checked bag. I'm not particularly comfortable throwing something that expensive into my unlocked suitcase, but I count on the fact that most thieves wouldn't recognize a tripod as something valuable enough to be worth bothering with.

 

[rossb]

I carry on my tripod bag.

 

[mom2rtk]

I usually take the head off of mine and through the legs into my checked bag. I'm not particularly comfortable throwing something that expensive into my unlocked suitcase, but I count on the fact that most thieves wouldn't recognize a tripod as something valuable enough to be worth bothering with.

Well, I'm guessing your tripod cost a little more than mine... but it's still a step up for me from the cheap model I used to have.

I'm glad to hear so many reports though from those who have carried theirs on without a problem. I'm leaning that direction now.

 

[boBQuincy]

I usually take the head off of mine and through the legs into my checked bag. I'm not particularly comfortable throwing something that expensive into my unlocked suitcase, but I count on the fact that most thieves wouldn't recognize a tripod as something valuable enough to be worth bothering with.

This has been my method also although I lock my checked bag (which is really a false sense of security but I do it anyway). I just don't want to get to the security checkpoint and be turned back, TSA is so erratic they could ok it now and ban it 15 minutes later, even depending on the particular agent.

 

[Groucho]

It probably depends on who does the checking, and how big/sturdy your tripod is. I've got an el-cheapo one that I could probably get through, but I doubt my big carbon fiber one would be allowed.

I did try to carry on my aluminum monopod once, and was denied. I thought there might be an issue, so I asked up front, and both the guy who looked at it and his boss agreed that it would have to go in the checked luggage. Of course, it's basically a big aluminum tube, so I can understand that, but a comparable tripod could be just as dangerous. I think that the official TSA rules say that tripods are allowed, but it's really up to the person in charge at the moment.

 

[ssanders79]

I would say it is hit or miss. I flew last month and a guy in front of me had a carbon fiber tripod attached to his camera bag. Got through without a problem.

 

[hjd0411]

Lat May I travelled from Australia to Orlando and back again (via Las Vegas and Los Angeles) with my tripod as hand carry. I didn't want to check it in and never even thought about having any trouble with security!
Anyway, I had no difficulty anywhere - just sent it on it's way through the xray machine and no-one stopped me at all. But as has been said, I guess it depends on the agent - they all have their own "interpretations" of what is allowed or not.
Have a fabulous vacation!

 

[littlekidagain]

I bought a tripod just for my trip to Disney. As much as I love photography, I don't want to lug too much equipment around. I bought a Sunpak DigiPro Compact B Tripod w/ Pan/Tilt Head.it folds up to about 13" and very light. I will find out in 2 days if it was worth the money.I have tried it around the house and thought it worked great.I will have my Manfrotto in my suitcast as back up.

 

[mom2rtk]

Many thanks for everyone's input and experience!

I think I'll probably end up putting it in my checked bag. It sounds highly unlikely that I would have trouble with it, especially since it folds pretty small. But I'd rather not have to wonder. Flying out of Kansas City I especially doubt it would be a problem, but I don't like surprises!

 

[mrcricket]

I've asked this question before and I chose to check my tripod, as its in unusual in shape and size to other tripods. It's a Cullmann Magic 2 tripod and collapses flat. But for my upcoming trip I don't want to check anything so I'm debating whether to ship my tripod to the resort OR not take one at all. I don't trust the TSA at all. They are never consistent in the enforcement of things like this.

 

[mom2rtk]

I've asked this question before and I chose to check my tripod, as its in unusual in shape and size to other tripods. It's a Cullmann Magic 2 tripod and collapses flat. But for my upcoming trip I don't want to check anything so I'm debating whether to ship my tripod to the resort OR not take one at all. I don't trust the TSA at all. They are never consistent in the enforcement of things like this.

I'd probably ship it down, but then the problem is what to do on the return flight?

I shipped a box of Christmas decorations down for our room yesterday and almost shipped the tripod too, but held it back for my checked bag.

 

[Docarino]

I have carried mine on the last two times without a problem. I know that it's hit or miss due to the particular TSA agent so what I do is use a luggage carry on that is sturdy enough to check if need be. My tripod is a 21 inch carbon fiber and I pack it without the head. I figure if I run into a problem getting it through, then I will just check that bag and pick it up at baggage claim and bring it on the ME with me. On the way back, I check that bag. So far, no problems- hoping I'm not jinxing myself for Wednesday. Your other option, if you want it the first night, is to check that bag but don't put a ME tag on that one and pick it up at baggage claim yourself.

 

[mom2rtk]

I thought I'd follow up what I did about my tripod. The day I posted this thread I was mailing a couple boxes down to the POP for our arrival a week later. One box was a small Christmas tree, so the box was the perfect shape to also put my tripod into.

At the last minute, I bailed and kept the tripod out, deciding to pass on castle pictures the first night so I could put it in my checked luggage. Turns out I'm glad I did. I mailed both boxes that Saturday by Priority Mail. The first one arrived Monday. The other box..... the one my tripod would have been in.... didn't show up until Friday. I had almost given it up for lost. Then when we checked in Saturday, they still didn't even have it at the resort. It took another day for it to surface.

Soooo........ In the future I might try to bring it in my carry-on.... but I definitely won't try mailing it.

 

[Docarino]

I thought I'd follow up what I did about my tripod. The day I posted this thread I was mailing a couple boxes down to the POP for our arrival a week later. One box was a small Christmas tree, so the box was the perfect shape to also put my tripod into.

At the last minute, I bailed and kept the tripod out, deciding to pass on castle pictures the first night so I could put it in my checked luggage. Turns out I'm glad I did. I mailed both boxes that Saturday by Priority Mail. The first one arrived Monday. The other box..... the one my tripod would have been in.... didn't show up until Friday. I had almost given it up for lost. Then when we checked in Saturday, they still didn't even have it at the resort. It took another day for it to surface.

Soooo........ In the future I might try to bring it in my carry-on.... but I definitely won't try mailing it.

Good to know that you made the right decision! I hadn't even thought about packages not getting there on time.

I put mine in my carry-on again. They scanned my bag for an extra long time and I thought they were going to say something but it went through. After the fact, I realized that I had left my bag of "liquids" in the bag and that's probably what held it up but even with that, they didn't say anything.

Hope you had a great trip!

 

[mom2rtk]

Good to know that you made the right decision! I hadn't even thought about packages not getting there on time.

I put mine in my carry-on again. They scanned my bag for an extra long time and I thought they were going to say something but it went through. After the fact, I realized that I had left my bag of "liquids" in the bag and that's probably what held it up but even with that, they didn't say anything.

Hope you had a great trip!

We did have a great time. I hope you did too!

Once my first package arrived I thought the other would be right behind it. As the days wore on, I was starting to give up hope. I mail stuff by Priority Mail all the time and it never takes that long.

I'll just chalk it up to a lesson learned and won't toil over the decision next time. To be honest, I'd probably go carry-on next time. My tripod is pretty small folded up in its case, and I think the folks here in KC tend not to be the sticklers they are at the big city airports.

I'm glad you didn't have any trouble with yours and I hope you packed enough cold weather gear!

 

[Docarino]

We did have a great time. I hope you did too!

Once my first package arrived I thought the other would be right behind it. As the days wore on, I was starting to give up hope. I mail stuff by Priority Mail all the time and it never takes that long.

I'll just chalk it up to a lesson learned and won't toil over the decision next time. To be honest, I'd probably go carry-on next time. My tripod is pretty small folded up in its case, and I think the folks here in KC tend not to be the sticklers they are at the big city airports.

I'm glad you didn't have any trouble with yours and I hope you packed enough cold weather gear!

I had an awesome time, thanks! I packed multiple layers of clothing so kept warm. Took a lot of pictures and am very slowly processing them- will be a while before I get a trip report together but I'm slowly adding pictures on Flickr. I checked out yours- those dresses you make for your daughter are amazing!