can i bring my tripod Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 on the airplane with me?

<p>Im goin this July 19 to Cancun from los angeles .. do you think i can bring my tripod -Manfrotto 190XPROB on the airplane? or do i have to check it in? </p>

<p>im taking continental airlines</p>

<p>I would suggest calling the airline. They would be the best people to answer this question or anything related to flying and luggage.</p>

<p>If I were you, I would wrap the tripod with clothing to protect it a bit and put that in the checked luggage. There is no point to risk any hassle during security check at the airport.</p>

<p>I was late for a flight recently, tried to take it on, and the TSA said I could not. Had to run back to check in and luckily they still had my luggage and allowed me to put it in. They told me you can't take tripods and monopods on. Stupid rule I think.</p>

<p>When I flew SouthWest about a year ago they let me take my tripod in a cary on, but their website said no mono-pods. I suppose it's easier to use a monopod as a weapon. Best to call your airline to verify, they seem to follow different rules. If I were to do it again after some of the thing's I've read, I wouldn't try to carry it on. To much of a hassle since you never know if the TSA agent feels like letting you pass or putting you through the cavity check because of it.</p>

<p>Right, forget about the rules. A lot of this depends on the particular TSA agent who happens to inspect you. Unless you have some compelling reason that we are not aware of, trying to carry on a tripod onto an airplane is merely asking for trouble. Typcially you don't always get what you ask for, but trouble seems to be an exception ....</p>

<p>Why does anyone need a tripod on a flight? Listen to Shun. You cannot predict accurately what the reaction at check in or at security will be, and if you haven't prepared to pack int in hold baggage you might even be forced to send it loose, which will be a problem. I would not myself trust any phone conversation I had before the event as being binding on all the check-in staff and TSA people you're possibly going to meet that day. </p>

<p>The rules don't need to be "forgotten," the rules are clear - the inspector has the final decision on any item no matter what the guidelines are. Even if security passes it, you still have potential space and load issues depnding on the individual flight, aircraft type, etc. However, depending on how loaded the flight is, etc., even if you are allowed to carry it on, is it something you want to try flying with it stuffed under the seat in front of you? Or squeezing into an overhead bin depending on flight boarding order, etc.? I pack carefully and check my tripod and don't worry about it. </p>

<p>Just pack it in your bags if you can. Then you won't have any problems with it. Anyhow, I have found it difficult to set up in the cabin when they are serving drinks with those carts and all.</p>

<p>I fly from NC to Alaska a few times a year. When talking about TSA, the one thing I can tell you for sure is "it depends". Some say yes, some say no. I would not chance it. Pad it well and pack it in your checked bag. Not worth the hassle.</p>

<p>I've had to check or forfeit several items which wouldn't pass inspection. It's a hassle if you have to return to the checkin counter and retrieve your bags, so why ask for trouble and risk missing your flight.</p>

<p>As a simple precaution, I remove the head and put it in carry-on luggage. The tripod itself goes in checked baggage, disassembled as necessary. It's easier to replace a legset than the head if something gets lost in transit.</p>

<p>Do you have a need to use the tripod on the plane?</p>

<p>If not - as I assume - just take the center post out and pack the items. It will fit into the tiniest bag.</p>

<p>The TSA rules are clear. ( I just wish they would explicitly ban tripods from carry on luggage.) They do exclude from carry on luggage all tools over 7 inches long and anything that could be used as a weapon. They also exclude almost all sporting items, like baseball bats, etc. So every TSA agent has told me that tripods and monopods are banned from carry on luggage. And most TSA agents will not let you carry on ball heads either as they can be used as weapons. I have seen ball heads confiscated at Phoenix and Houston airports by TSA agents. Use common sense and put your tripod in checked luggage. And add a note to your luggage that it is a tripod that is in there. This is a tip from the TSA. It might stop them from going thru your luggage when your bag is xrayed.<br>

Joe Smith</p>

<p>Agreed that it won't fly (so to speak) with TSA as carryon, but I have to disagree with Frank- I don't know what <em>your</em> tiniest bag is, but my tripod (not terribly large) won't fit in anything approaching small. That's the most annoying part of it; I have to check another damn bag with my tripod, and get hit with another fee.</p>

 

<p>There are several resons people want to carry their tripods on board the airplane. The first is control. Control on how the equipment is handled and control that it will not be stollen while it's on board with you. The second reason is monetary. With the airlines charging an average of $30 rt for the first checked through piece of luggage and $50 rt for the 2nd piece, checking through the tripod just adds to that expense.<br>

I've travelled all over the world with my Manfrotto 190MF4 and never have had any problems. I also take my Wimberley Head in my carry on. It's too important to me to take a chance on having it damaged or stollen.<br>

Julie Roggow</p>

<p>i travel regularly with Manfrotto 055X series tripod on airplane as a cabin luggage and never had any problem. nobody asked any questions also.</p>

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<p>"I have to check another damn bag with my tripod, and get hit with another fee."</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>Its a question of getting organised. I make sure that the bags I buy and use to pack clothes etc are long enough to hold either of the two tripods I fly with, head detached. Even my wife understands that she needs to check the folded length of the tripods before buying a new bag. Any bag I use for a stay beyond a day or so has room for one of my Manfrottos.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>"It's too important to me to take a chance on having it damaged or stollen".</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>The other things in my checked baggage are worth more than a tripod and in aggregate are likely to be much more difficult to replace. Are you really quite relaxed about handing over all your clothes, and other travel equipment, to an airline but if anything has a "photography" label on it then that makes it much more precious? I think in most parts of the world I could find a servicable tripod in less time that it would take me to remember everything else in my case, never mind buy it. Is there something that makes you believe that photographic accessories, rather than say cameras, laptops, or designer clothes, handbags etc are especially desirable to criminal baggage handlers? </p>

<p><< Are you really quite relaxed about handing over all your clothes, and other travel equipment, to an airline but if anything has a "photography" label on it then that makes it much more precious?>><br>

Uh... Yes! I travel specifically to take photos. If my socks and pants get stollen, at least I can still shoot. In many remote places in the world, it may be easier to buy a new shirt than a tripod or head. Considering the value of a quality tripod and head (monetary), AND considering the value to me as a photographer to be able to use equipment that I like, it's a no brainer. I carry on my tripod and head with my camera bodies and lenses.<br>

And, yes, anything that LOOKS like it may be of value is likely to be stollen out of a suitcase that is checked through.<br>

-Julie Roggow</p>

<p>All of you who put wimberley heads and most other tripod ball heads and other heads in your carry on luggage are breaking the TSA rules and are living on borrowed time. Do not be surprised if they got confiscated one of these days by the TSA as they are tools over 7 inches long or weapons. If you put them into your checked luggage, list them on a sheet of paper. The fact that a sheet is in you bag may help prevent someone from stealing them. Yes, air travel for photographers is a real pain. That is why I drive whenever I can. Joe Smith</p>

<p>I've been on the losing end of trying to take tripods on board aircraft, particularly in South America. I've learned to adjust my equipment list in this post 9/11 world. It simply is not worth the stress and hassle to try and fight the system. <br>

Instead of a medium format film system and a heavier tripod, I take my XSi and two L series lenses, a light weight Manfrotto tripod with an integral ball head. I frequently take multiple frames of a scene in order to stitch them together to create a file size that equals or surpasses those from my medium format system. I love the look of Velvia so I manipulate my files as closely as possible to replicate the look of Velvia. <br>

This may not be the type of solution that appeals to everyone but it works for me and saves me a lot of personal grief.</p>

<p>I've been on the losing end of trying to take tripods on board aircraft, particularly in South America. I've learned to adjust my equipment list in this post 9/11 world. It simply is not worth the stress and hassle to try and fight the system. <br>

Instead of a medium format film system and a heavier tripod, I take my XSi and two L series lenses, a light weight Manfrotto tripod with an integral ball head. I frequently take multiple frames of a scene in order to stitch them together to create a file size that equals or surpasses those from my medium format system. I love the look of Velvia so I manipulate my files as closely as possible to replicate the look of Velvia. <br>

This may not be the type of solution that appeals to everyone but it works for me and saves me a lot of personal grief.</p>

<p>I'm flying out of O'Hare on Friday and I NEED to carry my tripod past security. I plan on taking a couple shots of the illuminated tunnel there and want to do some long exposures that only a tripod would be able to provide. So yeah, I'm also in the same boat as a lot of you, but only because I need the tripod to shoot in the airport.</p>

<p>IF you don't want trouble use the think tanks tripod bag looks more professional and the agent is more likely to like you take it on since it is in a case. You will not stand out as much and know you are a professional and not someone that is going to cause trouble. </p>