I leave this Thursday for Cabo San Lucas and I'm still deciding whether or not to take my tripod with me. It's carbon fiber, but still pretty bulky and heavy to carry around, and other than sunrise/sunset shots, I don't think I'll bring it along with me.

Other than that, what is the policy at the airport? Are we allowed to bring tripods as carry-ons? I am fearful of bringing it along and then having to leave it at the security checkpoint because it's not allowed. Anyone know what the deal is?

 

General consensus on the internet is that theres no policy against carrying them on and its up to the TSA guy

Not an extremely helpful answer... I know

 

LOL.....yeah, I really don't want to leave it up to the TSA guy.

Need to know before I go what the rules are. I'd be upset if I had to leave my tripod.

 

I was in the same boat as you when I visited cancun this year. I decided to pack my tripod inside my large suitcase which I was checking in. I was also afraid if they allowed the tripod as a carry-on item.

I think you should take the pod with you, mine was aluminium and I still brought it, your's is cf, you have no excuses.

 

Should carry on fine.

If you dont bring it, youll kick yourself.

 

If you can put it in your suitcase.

 

My normal advice would be to just pack the tripod in checked baggage. In your case, however, I might be concerned with the temptations that may befall baggage handlers at the Mexican airport.

 

This is exactly what I'm concerned with checking it in my luggage, besides the fact that I'm not sure it'll fit.

Gah, I dunno what to do. I know I'll end up kicking myself if I don't take it, but getting it there seems to be an issue.

 

Its really not an issue. You dont think TSA has ever seen a tripod before?

And more good camera packs have a tripod holder of some sort.

 

Hey Luv!

I took my tripod to Cabo, and I never had any problems with TSA or security down there so you shouldn't have to worry about that.

I would definitely take it though.

One of my favorite shots was taken with a tripod as a necessity.




It was a 20-30 second exposure.



If you have room to pack it, I would. I had a lot of fun with it.

 

Did you pack it or carry it on?

I'm sure they've seen them before, but with the new strict regulations I'm just not sure I want to take the chance of having to leave it behind if it's not allowed.

I'll have to check to see if my camera bag even has a tripod holder on it. I've always just carried it myself whenever I used it. Looking for a new bag anyway, maybe for xmas.

 

I put it in my rollerboard which I carried on the plane.
So unless Newark is just weird (you're leaving out of Newark, yea?), you should be able to carry it on with no problem.

 

There is no reason a tripod wouldn't be allowed. I have had to carry on the weirdest pieces of gear and I've never had an issue. No one even flinches, they've all seen it before.

 

As long as it can fit where any bag allowed to be carried on can go, should be no problem. Just for the "not having to worry about it" I'd put it in my suitcase.

 

Yup, Newark.

Good to know, thanks.

LOL.....still undecided. I'll probably decide tonight, maybe tomorrow night.

 

I'll put it this way: I'm going to Kauai next week for 10 days and there's no way I'm not taking my tripod. I'm taking two suitcases, one checked, one carry-on, and I'll be packing the pod in the checked bag. I've done it before with no issues, and I've also carried it on board the aircraft with no issues. As long as it fits in the overhead, or under the seat, you won't have any problems. TSA won't give you grief about it.

With the sunsets in Cabo, I'm thinking you'll want it there, which is why I'm taking mine with me.

 

Alright. Leaning towards taking it, I think.

 

You should be good, just make sure your "feet" don't have the spikes showing. I've read where some monopods have not been allowed since the TSA officer saw the spike at the bottom and said it could be used as a weapon.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1248.shtm

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.

Air carriers may or may not allow the additional carry-on item on their aircraft. Please check with your air carrier prior to arriving at the airport.

Our screening equipment will not affect digital cameras and electronic image storage cards.

 

^ Thanks for that. My tripod doesn't have spikes, so I should be good there.

 

I think a monopod will give you trouble sometimes it appears to look like a nightstick...

 

take it...stuff it in your luggage that your checking in