I now have a decent sized tripod and I am wondering if the airlines (flying Continental on Friday from New York City to San Diego) are having issues with these. I flew with a smaller tripod that I was able to secure to my camera backpack a couple of years ago without any problems. But the bigger one may raise eyebrows. I canstill secure it, but it's a little bit bigger. I think it falls into the same category as having a cane and it s therefore ok as a carry-on.
So, my question really is...has anyone been stopped when they tried to bring their tripod onto the plane? Did you have to check (I hope not!) your tripod? I still have my smaller one, but would much rather bring the bigger one :)
@noaceyet worse case scenario, have it placed in the Oversize luggage section during check-in so it'll be more secure than regular luggage, update us okay? good luck.
Robert,
I go back and forth to my kids in Portland OR from NY area 3-4 times a year. I have been using a duffle bag(medium size from EMS) rather than the typical wheel around. I do this because I can easily pack both the tripod and my monopod right in the middle, with my 'stuff" all around them. (Sorta like a hot dog in a bun) Have not had any trouble. My camera sling bag also goes into a small ripstop duffle which, really doesn't add any size or weight, but is a lot less obvious, and that I carry on. Hope it helps
Tripods are not on the TSA prohibited items list - http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/prohibited_items_brochure.pdf so you should be good to go unless you get an overzealous agent. Wouldn't hurt to carry the list with you and say that you checked out the official TSA website ahead of time in the unlikely event that you are hastled. Also be aware that cameras, lenses, and electronics are not typically covered by lost/damaged checked luggage policies, so you should carry these. Not sure if this extends to tripods and other equipment.
@dakotakid35 Based on how I have seen luggage handled (regardless of the airline) I will NEVER check my camera or lenses. I have seen a couple with thousands of dollars of equipment throw a full-blown fit because the airline was trying to force them to check their equipment and they finally agreed to do the oversided carry on so they could see it handled on and off the plane rather than going through a true checked bag.
Wow - looks like we get an extra exception - http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1248.shtm
An excerpt (not sure if tags work here - if so, emphasis is mine)
Photographic Equipment & Film
Transporting Film and Photographic Equipment
Photographic Equipment
You may carry one (1) bag of photographic equipment in addition to one (1) carry-on and one (1) personal item through the screening checkpoint. The additional bag must conform to your air carrier's carry-on restrictions for size and weight. Please confirm your air carrier's restrictions prior to arriving at the airport.
One tripod isn't going to be anywhere near enough. I would suggest probably six or seven. Lay them out on the floor, side-by-side, and tape them firmly together with premium quality duct tape. (If your tripods are black, use the silver duct tape; if your tripods are silver or grey, use the black duct tape. It's all about the colour contrasts.)
Once the tripods are taped together securely (remember, you will be travelling through the air at high speeds, and your creation needs to hold up to the significant pressures which that naturally entails) extend the top of the central two or three tripods to form a pyramidal or cone shape - these will be the "nose" of your plane. Extend the legs of the outer two tripods to their maximum width - these will be your "wings".
Now comes the tricky bit... Attaching the engine, and steering controls.
Take an engine from a small car. Do you have a young teenage neighbour, who has recently passed his driving test? Or do you know someone who has? Wait until this youth is in bed, then remove the engine from his tiny first-time-driver's Fiat Seicento. (If you replace the engine in his car with a microwave of refrigerator of similar weight, he won't know the different for weeks. By that time, you'll be far, far away!)
Use more duct tape to attach the engine to the underneath the tripods. Again - remember to coordinate the colours!
Fashion a rudder from some MDF, and/or sheets of stiff cardboard, and fix it to the rear of your "plane" with cabinet hinges. Run steering lines made of fishing twine to the front of the vehicle - the adjusting arm of the central tripod in your construction will serve as an excellent "joystick".
Now all your plane needs is wheels - an undercarriage. The castors from an office chair will do this job admirably. Take the castors from the chair of that colleague who's always sneaking the chocolate bar out of your packed lunch, while he's at the photocopier. Everybody wins.
And that's that - you're ready to fly! Don't forget to take a fire extinguisher with you.
Air travel with a tripod can be a bit challenging, as airlines often have strict regulations regarding carry-on items. While some airlines allow tripods as carry-on luggage, others may require them to be checked in. It's important to check with your airline before you travel to avoid any inconvenience. However, if you are interested in visiting the world's top tourist attractions, then Dubai Aquarium should be at the top of your list. Located in the heart of Dubai, this underwater zoo is home to thousands of aquatic animals, including sharks and rays. To learn more about Dubai Aquarium and plan your visit, you can visit https://www.discoverybit.com/directory-travel/listing/dubai-aquarium/. With a capacity of over 10 million liters of water, the aquarium offers visitors a chance to experience the wonders of the underwater world like never before.
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
I go back and forth to my kids in Portland OR from NY area 3-4 times a year. I have been using a duffle bag(medium size from EMS) rather than the typical wheel around. I do this because I can easily pack both the tripod and my monopod right in the middle, with my 'stuff" all around them. (Sorta like a hot dog in a bun) Have not had any trouble. My camera sling bag also goes into a small ripstop duffle which, really doesn't add any size or weight, but is a lot less obvious, and that I carry on. Hope it helps
An excerpt (not sure if tags work here - if so, emphasis is mine)
Photographic Equipment & Film
Transporting Film and Photographic Equipment
Photographic Equipment
You may carry one (1) bag of photographic equipment in addition to one (1) carry-on and one (1) personal item through the screening checkpoint. The additional bag must conform to your air carrier's carry-on restrictions for size and weight. Please confirm your air carrier's restrictions prior to arriving at the airport.
One tripod isn't going to be anywhere near enough. I would suggest probably six or seven. Lay them out on the floor, side-by-side, and tape them firmly together with premium quality duct tape. (If your tripods are black, use the silver duct tape; if your tripods are silver or grey, use the black duct tape. It's all about the colour contrasts.)
Once the tripods are taped together securely (remember, you will be travelling through the air at high speeds, and your creation needs to hold up to the significant pressures which that naturally entails) extend the top of the central two or three tripods to form a pyramidal or cone shape - these will be the "nose" of your plane. Extend the legs of the outer two tripods to their maximum width - these will be your "wings".
Now comes the tricky bit... Attaching the engine, and steering controls.
Take an engine from a small car. Do you have a young teenage neighbour, who has recently passed his driving test? Or do you know someone who has? Wait until this youth is in bed, then remove the engine from his tiny first-time-driver's Fiat Seicento. (If you replace the engine in his car with a microwave of refrigerator of similar weight, he won't know the different for weeks. By that time, you'll be far, far away!)
Use more duct tape to attach the engine to the underneath the tripods. Again - remember to coordinate the colours!
Fashion a rudder from some MDF, and/or sheets of stiff cardboard, and fix it to the rear of your "plane" with cabinet hinges. Run steering lines made of fishing twine to the front of the vehicle - the adjusting arm of the central tripod in your construction will serve as an excellent "joystick".
Now all your plane needs is wheels - an undercarriage. The castors from an office chair will do this job admirably. Take the castors from the chair of that colleague who's always sneaking the chocolate bar out of your packed lunch, while he's at the photocopier. Everybody wins.
And that's that - you're ready to fly! Don't forget to take a fire extinguisher with you.
I only got 2....darn that is not going to work for me.