Tripods and airline travel: I'm planning a trip from Washington D.C. to Seattle. I would like to bring my tripod. I did read online that the TSA allows tripods as long as they don't...

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Tripods and airline travel

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Jun 21, 2019 01:21:55 #

I'm planning a trip from Washington D.C. to Seattle. I would like to bring my tripod. I did read online that the TSA allows tripods as long as they don't exceed the maximum carry on limits, and will either fit in the overhead or under the seat below. The tripod is the Induro CLT303L. Has anyone had any problems with this? Did your tripod fit into the overhead compartment? Did you have the tripod in a case or not?

What about the camera? I know in the past that the TSA inspector could hand inspect the camera. You removed the lens cap and as long as they could see through it, it's OK. I think sometimes, they will just tell you to put it on the conveyor to run through the X-ray machine.

Jun 21, 2019 02:17:49 #

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Last time I flew, about 9 months ago, with film, I asked for and was granted a hand inspection of the film and camera.

Unless you want to buy a seat for the tripod, it has to go under the seat or in the overhead, or in baggage. If it will fit inside your suitcase, meaning it's not any longer than the suitcase, then likely it will fit in the overhead with no problem. Check the airline web site they will give dimensions for carry on (or is that carrion ;) baggage. I doubt it will fit under the seat unless it is one of the super-collapsable versions.

Jun 21, 2019 03:28:55 #

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Over the past two years I've flown extensively both nationally and internationally. While I sometimes have to take the camera out, sometimes the lenses, I've never had it hand inspected. Flew to Spain from Boston two days ago. Carry-on backpack got inspected because of medication (in original bottles no problem) but did hot have to take camera or lenses out of backpack. Did have to take computer and iPad out. The only time I took a tripod to Europe was for an extended stay. Put it in large checked bag. No problem The same applies in Europe. Inconsistent on taking camera/lenses out of bag but no one has flipped the shutter or wanted to look through the lens.

Jun 21, 2019 06:09:00 #

Thanks to everyone for the information. I will check on how long items can be to go in the overhead compartment.

Jun 21, 2019 06:26:58 #

tjw47 Loc: Michigan

I just flew with my carbon fiber tripod in checked luggage.
The only thing TSA was concerned about was my tablet...
Did not care about Camera or extra lens, both were inside cases in a underseat bag

Jun 21, 2019 06:27:20 #

traderjohn Loc: New York City

CO wrote:

Thanks to everyone for the information. I will check on how long items can be to go in the overhead compartment.

Does TSA have a website??

Jun 21, 2019 06:43:33 #

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

I’ve flown several times in the last year. Domestic U.S. if this works for you, I remove the leveling base and head from the tripod and then put them, camera body and lenses in a hardshell max dimension carry on and use the overhead bin. No problems. I have also taken, not in the last year though, a large tripod in a soft padded case that’s longer than a typical carryon bag. All without issues. The only item the xrays have ever reacted to is my snorkel mask. Those machines don’t seem to like it. So a hand inspection of that one item. Good luck.

Jun 21, 2019 06:49:12 #

dhroberts Loc: Boston, MA, USA

I remove the ball head from my small Induro carbon fiber tripod and put both in my carry-on luggage, and have never had a problem. The camera and lenses go into a photo bag that fits under the seat. The last time I flew with film (maybe 15 years ago) the TSA officer was happy to hand inspect my bag, but he looked at each and every film cartridge.

Jun 21, 2019 10:23:35 #

Quixdraw Loc: x

tjw47 wrote:

I just flew with my carbon fiber tripod in checked luggage.
The only thing TSA was concerned about was my tablet...
Did not care about Camera or extra lens, both were inside cases in a underseat bag

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all

Jun 22, 2019 06:55:44 #

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Get a cane and put a 1/4 20 screw on top. Unless your doing ND long exposures simply use higher ISO and faster shutter speed thus eliminating the tripod need. If you have the shakes then add a counterweight [inercia] Plaster fo Paris filled Tennis ball with a 1/4 20 screw. The screw should be long enough so you can do eagle claws on the ball with the left hand.
https://www.instructables.com/id/iSteadii-20-Image-Stabilizing-Unit/

Jun 22, 2019 07:15:15 #

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

Promaster makes acceptable (my opinion) tripods that fold down to about 16", perhaps you could buy one as a "Travel" tripod.

Jun 22, 2019 07:33:08 #

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I always put my tripods in my checked luggage no problems

Jun 22, 2019 07:33:27 #

steve49 Loc: massachusetts

I travel a lot and have never had the camera inspected here or abroad.
Tripod in luggage and that's that.

Jun 22, 2019 08:05:47 #

SonyBug

CO wrote:

I'm planning a trip from Washington D.C. to Seattl... (show quote)

It would be useful if you had just posted the tripod length. I know I could look it up, but come on, give us the info and we can provide more useful information. For my travels, I carry a cane that is 34" long and it has no trouble fitting in the overheads. Being a medical device, the airlines would have real problems blocking that item.

Jun 22, 2019 08:09:12 #

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

My tripod fits in my carry-on. But I’ve also flown with it attached to my carry-on camera bag and never a problem.

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