Tripod case or bag recommendation for airflight: I hope some one can give me a little help here. I will be flying across country and plan on taking my not to expensive tripod (Slik)...

dino21 Loc: McAllen, TX

I hope some one can give me a little help here. I will be flying across country and plan on taking my not to expensive tripod (Slik) with me. I will have to check the tripod. It came with a nylon zipper bag but I do not see how to put a lock or anything on it. Can someone recommend a not to expensive bag or case that will allow me to put a tsa lock on it and still provide some protection? Thank you in advance for your input.

Haydon

dino21 wrote:

I hope some one can give me a little help here. I will be flying across country and plan on taking my not to expensive tripod (Slik) with me. I will have to check the tripod. It came with a nylon zipper bag but I do not see how to put a lock or anything on it. Can someone recommend a not to expensive bag or case that will allow me to put a tsa lock on it and still provide some protection? Thank you in advance for your input.

Your tripod will have to conform to TSA standards for carry on. Check the permitted sizes. Otherwise, I'd recommend packing your (not so expensive tripod) inside your checked baggage.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Rather than using individual locks for items in check in luggage, a very effective yet inexpensive alternative approach is to apply multiple plastic zip ties to fasten multiple items together. The more zip ties involved, the better. This way, inspection personnel can easily view the luggage contents, but are less likely to steal anything, as they would need to cut through all the zip ties to physically separate the items from each other.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

No one is going to steal your tripod.

Ollieboy

dino21 wrote:

I hope some one can give me a little help here. I will be flying across country and plan on taking my not to expensive tripod (Slik) with me. I will have to check the tripod. It came with a nylon zipper bag but I do not see how to put a lock or anything on it. Can someone recommend a not to expensive bag or case that will allow me to put a tsa lock on it and still provide some protection? Thank you in advance for your input.

A TSA lock just makes it easy for TSA workers.

dino21 Loc: McAllen, TX

Haydon wrote:

Your tripod will have to conform to TSA standards for carry on. Check the permitted sizes. Otherwise, I'd recommend packing your (not so expensive tripod) inside your checked baggage.

not going to be carry on.

dino21 Loc: McAllen, TX

CHG_CANON wrote:

No one is going to steal your tripod.

So would it be ok just checking it with the nylon bag that came with it? It has a cheap zipper on one end that zips close?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

dino21 wrote:

So would it be ok just checking it with the nylon bag that came with it? It has a cheap zipper on one end that zips close?

My RRS has taking a minor beating over 8-years of ownership. The metal parts / clamps are what show the ware from the drops and knocks of normal use. Your cheap nylon bag idea is OK but I'd expect a minor beating to be added through the travel process similar or worse than normal usage. I just put my tripod in my checked bag, just like my underwear. If you didn't plan on checking anything but the tripod, wrap a beach towel around it for some padding and not worry further.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Haydon wrote:

Your tripod will have to conform to TSA standards for carry on. Check the permitted sizes. Otherwise, I'd recommend packing your (not so expensive tripod) inside your checked baggage.

Good advice.
https://www.google.com/search?q=tsa+carry+on&oq=tsa+carry&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j0l4.16439j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I always put my tripods in my checked baggage no problems and it is an expensive tripod

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

mborn wrote:

I always put my tripods in my checked baggage no problems and it is an expensive tripod

JeffR Loc: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

dino21 wrote:

So would it be ok just checking it with the nylon bag that came with it? It has a cheap zipper on one end that zips close?

Definitely not. That bag will provide zero protection against the buffeting and abuse that luggage receives in transit. Put it inside a suitcase. The baggage checking fee will be the same whether it's a small tripod case or a big suitcase.

dandev Loc: Enumclaw, WA

1. I recently flew with my RRS tripod. I took the ball head off (took about 5 seconds) and the tripod fit on the diagonal of my suitcase. Worked great.
2. I have a RRS bag that fits my tripod. It's a good quality bag and I use it all the time. It wasn't cheap but well worth it.
3. My tripod gets beaten up on trips - it's all cosmetic. A black sharpie fixes a lot.
4. My wife said the same thing as Paul - no one is going to steal your tripod.

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

I wouldn't worry about it being stolen. The last time I used a TSA lock, they cut through it because they said that they didn't have a key.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Haydon wrote:

Your tripod will have to conform to TSA standards for carry on. Check the permitted sizes. Otherwise, I'd recommend packing your (not so expensive tripod) inside your checked baggage.

I do this or if weight is an issue and need for a tripod is anticipated I find a store in the area and rent one when I get there if possible.
Otherwise there are tubes of "Plastic" you can put drawings in and some are large enough in diameter to hold a tripod.
There are many styles and types, no lock is needed as if someone wants it the lock means absolutely nothing.
https://www.amazon.com/US-Art-Supply-Telescoping-Drafting/dp/B00PR9MQL0?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_4