Boutique Air, Carry on luggage and tripod? (Page 2): Each time this subject comes up, the real answer is to contact your particular airline with your specific flight number and the...

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Each time this subject comes up, the real answer is to contact your particular airline with your specific flight number and the type of plane. TSA and FAA set max size limits and weights, but some aircraft have smaller maximum limits for carry on baggage and the size is set by the airline. Those who fail to comply typically have their bag gate checked.

BTW, batteries are not supposed to be in checked baggage.

Don't believe half of what you hear.

Photocraig

Jodevoy wrote:

I have seen that too, strapped to the side of a backpack. Never brave enough to try myself. This may just be the trip to try it! I hope to fit it inside the 22” carry on. I’ll look again at that TSA site. Thanks.

To fit inside the bag, try taking the Center column and or the base out of the tripod. I know on mine--an older Gitzo Mountaineer, it doesn't fit intact--even diagonally, but with the center column and attached base plate removed it is about 2 inches shorter and should squeeze in.

Pack light, wash out the undies and polo shirts. That's why we hide BEHIND the camera. Have fun and learn a lot.

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

Jodevoy wrote:

We booked a flight which ends with a commuter flight on Boutique Air. This is for a photo tour, so my tripod is essential. We are limited to one standard carryon and a personal item. In the past I have always packed my tripod in my checked bag. Anyone have any experience whether a tripod will clear security? My recollection is they are not as strict as TSA, but I have to clear TSA on my United portion of the trip. Any comments or sharing of your experience will be appreciated.

If you call the air line, in this case Boutique Air, they should be able to answer all of your questions. And further, TSA has a number and you can call them and ask TSA, sure beats the amateur responses you will get here. The number for TSA is (866) 289-9673.

whitehall Loc: Canada

I am just back from Rome. on the way out I carried my travel tripod in my hand. On the way back, since it was not essential that I have my tripod on arrival, I put it in my checked in luggage. No problem either way ,( Air Canada on the way out and Swiss Air and United on the way back) . Incidentally, United did lose my luggage for a day, but that is another story.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

https://www.boutiqueair.com/p/baggage

The airlines and the FAA set baggage restrictions. The TSA's job is safety and security.

Depending who talks to you at the airlines, answers may or may not be accurate. For example, I am flying United Airlines next month, called and was assured the normal carry on limits applied to affiliate United Express as well. That agent didn't realize that one leg of my trip was on a smaller Embraer RJ145 and had much smaller allowable carry-on requirements. Normal size carry-ons would most likely be gate checked at no charge. Also, some airlines are quite relaxed and frequently allow, at least in my experience, oversize and extra carry-on articles. Southwest is a great example for this. Could be okay one day and not allowed on another.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

pesfls wrote:

We are currently vacationing in Hawaii. I carried tripod, level head, ball head, camera body and two lenses all in my carry on. The spare lithium batteries were in a checked bag, that’s mandatory but the one in the camera body is allowed in your carry on. No issues with TSA or Hawaiian Airlines. Never had a problem with this procedure in the past or this trip.

***Spare (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage only. When a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or at planeside, all spare lithium batteries must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin.****

I believe they have started fires in the cargo area, and are no longer allowed to be in checked bags.

Jodevoy

pesfls: Thanks for your reply. That’s what I was hoping to hear. Makes me crazy when each airline has their own rules, which seem to change from trip to trip! Have a great vacation in Hawaii! Heaven on Earth.

Jodevoy

whitehall wrote:

I am just back from Rome. on the way out I carried my travel tripod in my hand. On the way back, since it was not essential that I have my tripod on arrival, I put it in my checked in luggage. No problem either way ,( Air Canada on the way out and Swiss Air and United on the way back) . Incidentally, United did lose my luggage for a day, but that is another story.

OMG - the good and the bad!

Jodevoy

ronichas wrote:

***Spare (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage only. When a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or at planeside, all spare lithium batteries must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin.****

I believe they have started fires in the cargo area, and are no longer allowed to be in checked bags.

That was my understanding, too. I’ve always put them in a small zip bag that I could easily find and pull out of my carry on just in case I had to “gate check” it. No searching through a bag at last minute!

Jodevoy

DaveO wrote:

https://www.boutiqueair.com/p/baggage br br The a... (show quote)

Thanks for the link. I studied that before booking my flights, called Boutique (twice, different answers each time). I guess I’m going to pack it in my carry on. If they have to gate check it, I’ll just keep my fingers crossed.

Jodevoy

billnikon wrote:

If you call the air line, in this case Boutique Air, they should be able to answer all of your questions. And further, TSA has a number and you can call them and ask TSA, sure beats the amateur responses you will get here. The number for TSA is (866) 289-9673.

Thanks for the #. I’ve always searched their website, but I think I’ll make that call!

Jodevoy

Photocraig wrote:

To fit inside the bag, try taking the Center column and or the base out of the tripod. I know on mine--an older Gitzo Mountaineer, it doesn't fit intact--even diagonally, but with the center column and attached base plate removed it is about 2 inches shorter and should squeeze in.

Pack light, wash out the undies and polo shirts. That's why we hide BEHIND the camera. Have fun and learn a lot.

Getting everything down to one carry on and a personal bag (which will hold my camera gear) will be a challenge. I’m determined to do it this time. 7 nights should be do-able! We’ll see!

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Jodevoy wrote:

Thanks for the link. I studied that before booking my flights, called Boutique (twice, different answers each time). I guess I’m going to pack it in my carry on. If they have to gate check it, I’ll just keep my fingers crossed.

LOL, I feel your pain with the differing answers! I don't mind a last minute gate check, but some airlines hit you hard on fees. I put a full sized tripod in my checked baggage, two cameras and batteries in a personal carry-on and the rest of my gear in a Pelican case. I've made ten flights since November and never been checked for batteries, but that doesn't mean I never will.

Jodevoy

Thank you EVERYONE for your responses. I will follow up on the links and calls you suggested. My plan right now is to pack the tripod, squeeze in a “few” change of clothes (OMG this is from the woman who hits the 50 pound limit without batting an eye on any other trip!) and carry my camera gear in my backpack as my personal item. Let’s hope this is acceptable to United and Boutique Air.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Security in the US IS provided by the TSA. I assume yuo will also have a checked bag? Boutique Air uses small planes, so space and weight will be the problems you might encounter.