Air Travel with a Tripod: Heading to Yellowstone and the Tetons later this summer on a Photography Trip. What is the best was to take a full size tripod on an airplane? Will also be...

Jphenney Loc: Ohio

Heading to Yellowstone and the Tetons later this summer on a Photography Trip. What is the best was to take a full size tripod on an airplane?

Will also be carrying on my camera equipment.

Any Suggestions or past experiences?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You have no checked bags? That's where the tripod would go.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

CHG_CANON wrote:

You have no checked bags? That's where the tripod would go.

Yes. And if it won’t fit lots of companies make quality tripod bags. Mine is from Domke.
…Cam

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

It goes in checked luggage - you can't carry it into the cabin area.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

And it will fit in your luggage better if you remove the head. If room can fit a ballhead in bag that is carry on. Otherwise wrap in clothing.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Orphoto wrote:

And it will fit in your luggage better if you remove the head. If room can fit a ballhead in bag that is carry on. Otherwise wrap in clothing.

If I had to take it, I would just put it in a suitcase with the clothes, either two pieces or one, depending on how it fits. Never by itself in a tripod bag. I elected not to take one to Iceland when we went.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Jphenney wrote:

Heading to Yellowstone and the Tetons later this summer on a Photography Trip. What is the best was to take a full size tripod on an airplane?

Will also be carrying on my camera equipment.

Any Suggestions or past experiences?

Carry on, make sure it is in a proper bag or case. BUT, always call the airline ahead and see what there CURRENT policy is.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

DWU2 wrote:

It goes in checked luggage - you can't carry it into the cabin area.

that depends on size. My tripod is always in the overhead with my camera gear. Sometimes it goes in my luggage, if it will fit.

tlpgolf1 Loc: Southern California

If the budget will allow purchase a travel tripod with a hook on bottom of center pole and attach camera bag to it for added stability. Make sure your bag is on the ground as I use a bungee cord to attach so any wind won’t move bag a blur your photo. It has worked good for me and the travel tripod does not add much weight.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

tlpgolf1 wrote:

If the budget will allow purchase a travel tripod with a hook on bottom of center pole and attach camera bag to it for added stability. Make sure your bag is on the ground as I use a bungee cord to attach so any wind won’t move bag a blur your photo. It has worked good for me and the travel tripod does not add much weight.

Wouldn't that be after the air travel?

jimvanells Loc: Augusta, GA

You can carry a tripod in the cabin and we have done it for years going to AK. Ours is a large tripod for a heavy lens and we have a carry bag, it's x-rayed and TSA says nothing. We also take a rolling camera big with $10K of bodies, lenses, etc and never had a problem.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I had some years ago a very bad experience carrying the tripod with the checked baggage. My baggage was inspected and I lost several pieces of clothing besides the mess I found in the suitcase when I reached my destination. Ever since I carry the tripod inside the cabin and place it in the overhead compartment or under my seat. I carry the head with my luggage. Never an issue.

bikerguy

DWU2 wrote:

It goes in checked luggage - you can't carry it into the cabin area.

This is not true. I have carried a tripod on attached to my camera bag. Go to the TSA website and it states what can be carried on. Obviously, if the tripod is larger than allowed for carry on, it must be checked.

gwilliams6

Some excellent travel tripods are small enough when folded done to fit in carry-on luggage. If you need to take a larger tripod, just be sure to take it in a checked bag with a TSA lock, so that only TSA officials can have access to it. Never check your cameras, lenses. Always carry them in carry-on luggage.

I have two sizes of Sirui Travel tripods, the smallest one will fit in my carry-on luggage, but a bit bigger one (which is waterproof) goes in my checked luggage. I took the waterproof carbon-fiber Sirui one when I went out west to places like Yosemite National Park in the winter.

Cheers

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

I would be concerned that some TSA agent would confiscate a travel tripod in carry-on, considering it a potential weapon. They seem to react randomly.