Airlines and Tripods (1 Viewer)

[Ian B]

Does anyone have any recent experience of Airlines views on taking scopes and tripods on as hand baggage ? I am travelling on a domestic BA flight later this week and really dont want to have to check my cf tripod into the hold only for it to reappear a shattered mess !

Thanks

Ian

 

[Richard D]

Does anyone have any recent experience of Airlines views on taking scopes and tripods on as hand baggage ? I am travelling on a domestic BA flight later this week and really dont want to have to check my cf tripod into the hold only for it to reappear a shattered mess !

Thanks

Ian

Ian,

No personal experience myself, but it might be worth reading this:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=24200&highlight=baggage

Richard

 

[digi-birder]

We travelled to Spain earlier this year. We both put our carbon fibre tripods in our suitcases, padded with clothes, and carried scope, bins and camera + lenses as hand luggage. No damage done at all.

 

[graeme782]

Ian

I travelled earlier this year with my scope, tripod, bins, camcorder and camera in hand luggage with no problems. It wasn't even questioned when it went through x ray.

Beware, however, that if you do put it in the hold whilst it may not get damaged it stands a good chance of being stolen. It is apparently quite common to the point where people steal to order. I have first hand experience of this and will never again put valuables in luggage to go in the hold.

Have a good flight.

Graeme.

 

[AdrianB]

Hi Ian

I regularly take a backpack with the tripod attached to the side of it. Inside is a pile of camera gear including a few heavy lenses. On domestic flights economy and business I've never had a problem. If you are however flying anywhere particularly rural or on prop planes (Dash-8 etc) be aware of reduced allowances.

Kind regards
Adrian

 

[Ian B]

Thanks for all your replies. I am going to try to take the pod in hand I'll let you know how I get on !


Ian

 

[IanF]

In June I took a carbon fibre one in the hold luggage and the scope in the cabin with no questions asked.

 

[Hanno]

Just came back from Hanoi. After taking the tripod without any hassles from Saigon to Hanoi, I was turned back on the return leg, the tripod being considered a "potentially dangerous weapon". All pleading was to no avail, so I had to check it in. Luckily, it came out undamaged on the other sider (except a dozen or so "fragile" stickers.