not a weapon

November 26, 2008 10:59 PM

Large tripod through airport security from PDX to BOI?

I've seen this, but it seems a little dated. I'm trying to carry a Bogen Manfrotto 3021BN with a 3047 head on with me (as well as the heavy 4x5" camera that requires it). Since it's hard to find a good link to: the tripod is about as large as a mailing tube and very heavy. Any idea if this is possible, mefi?

posted by roygbv to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

Yes, the TSA will permit your tripod through security as a carry-on. They consider it "photographic equipment", and will simply x-ray it.

I would suggest that you remove the head and pack it in your bag, carry-on or checked, to minimize the weight and size of the tripod itself, since it's the airline who will possibly consider it as a separate item. If you board with two full-sized bags AND the tripod, some airlines may try to claim that's your 3rd item and want to charge you to check one of them. If you have status with your airline, you shouldn't have any problems.
posted by seymour.skinner at 11:59 PM on November 26, 2008

not a problem. it's sharp items they are worried about. whacking someone over the head with a dull tripod is perfectly acceptable according to the tsa.

some airlines may try to claim that's your 3rd item and want to charge you to check one of them.

in which case you call them a rookie and wave a printout of this TSA rule permitting two carry-on items plus one bag for photographic equipment around. the TSA folks have gotten pretty good about knowing this already.
posted by krautland at 1:54 AM on November 27, 2008

the TSA folks have gotten pretty good about knowing this already. - krautland

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. -- krautland's TSA link

Some airlines can be dicks about the one carry one plus one personal item and the carmera equipment. Just because the TSA doesn't squawk at the X-ray, doesn't mean the airline staff at the gate (or more likely on the plane) will make noise. They've all started charging for anything and everything they can. Charging you for something that you used to get for free drops directly to the airlines' bottom line.

You shouldn't have a problem, but check in early and get to the gate early so you can find room in the overhead bin. If you're one of the last on the plane and the bins are full, you're SOL and your only option is to check the items or get off the plane.
posted by birdherder at 9:25 AM on November 27, 2008

in which case you call them a rookie and wave a printout of this TSA rule permitting two carry-on items plus one bag for photographic equipment around.

Note this bolded text in your link: 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.
posted by seymour.skinner at 9:29 AM on November 27, 2008

Some airlines can be dicks about the one carry one plus one personal item and the carmera equipment.

say... how many actual live airline employees do you actually deal with before you get onto the plane? you check in using a terminal, go through TSA (=not airline folks) using this printout and just this once try not to be the first mongol in the sprint to the gate when the lone, overworked gate agent calls your flight. get into that group, with a solid pack of eager tourists who don't get the idea of reserved seating. keep the collapsed tripod (yes, it's collapsible, making it a bit longer than a laptop is wide) and bags on your left, reach past fatty arbuckle on your right and show your passport and boarding pass that way. you're not going to catch any flak on the aircraft itself because the crew only gets paid once the doors are closed and really don't want to spend more time there than absolutely necessary. see? that wasn't difficult at all but silly me thought you'd get it without me drawing up a battleplan for you.

You shouldn't have a problem, but check in early and get to the gate early so you can find room in the overhead bin
no! nonono! you stay IN THE PACK. it's a tripod. you will always get it into a bin. they are long but not wide. throw a bag under the front seat if you have to but the tripod does and always will go in the overhead bin.

shit kids, I've actually done this a million times and I have always gotten a collapsed tripod (which still was significantly larger than the one OP has) onto my flights. I've had it on fully-loaded CRJ's and Embraers with their dinky overhead bins. the only thing you may be forced to check is a bulky bag you would otherwise be able to get on. I realize this is the webbernets but you two clearly have no experience with this.
posted by krautland at 11:42 AM on November 27, 2008

I realize this is the webbernets but you two clearly have no experience with this.

Krautland, I'm professional photographer who has 100k miles on AA so far in 2008. I carry all my equipment on with me, so I'm quite experienced with both the TSA's and airlines' carry-on limitations.

Although it doesn't apply to me as an elite flyer, I have watched countless gate attendants and flight attendants gate-check over-sized and extra bags this year. Why are they doing that? Because the airlines are charging for these extra and over-sized bags, and where the crew used to look the other way, they are now generating revenue when they stop you.

So I stand by my caution that following the TSA allowance for extra baggage for photographers doesn't offer you a guarantee that the airline will respect it. They don't have final say on your baggage size or weight - the airline does.

But back on subject, I agree that the OP shouldn't have any trouble with their tripod.
posted by seymour.skinner at 10:30 PM on November 27, 2008

professional photographer who has 100k miles on AA so far in 2008
that makes us about even.

but I maintain there won't be an issue with any tripod. it's other bags that are more likely to get thrown out. a tripod is thin and that is what counts.
posted by krautland at 2:03 AM on November 28, 2008