I recently bought a RRS ballhead and Gitzo tripod legs for my trip to Glacier Park next week. I had planned to put the tripod legs in my luggage because it seems there have been some questions/doubts as to whether it would be allowed as carryon. But I was going to put my ballhead in my carryon bag. Now I'm wondering if anyone has every had a problem with bringing a ballhead in their carryon bag?
I have not had a problem with the ballhead in my luggage. Before I got a tripod case, which I pack in duffle bag with clothes, I would place the ballhead inside my hiking boot. Have w onderful trip.
Is there a reason you don't want to put the ballhead in your checked bag? That's what I've done, and never had a problem. Sorry I can't help directly, but I've never tried to carry on a ballhead.
I read a blurb on another forum a couple of weeks ago where someone was prevented from carrying a ballhead aboard because security thought it could be used as a weapon!?!?! Probably a case of someone over reacting, but take it for what it's worth. I'll look back and see if I can find it again.
EDIT
Wow, I did find it! Italics added.
Some of you are really lucky! I have seen TSA agents confiscate ballheads smaller than seven inches from photo bags during screening because they deemed them to be weapons. I have seen this at Phoenix and Houston airports. I was stopped myself at the Houston airport and almost lost my Kirk BH-1 ballhead. The screener saw it in my photo bag and thought it was a grenade. When I told him what it was and he flet its weight, he then told me it was a weapon and was banned from carry on luggage. I told him I would check it the next time. He gave it back to me and let me proceed. On my next trip, I saw another agent confiscate a ballhead from a photo bag. The TSA agents at Grand Junction told me that all tripods, even those from carbon fiber, and monopods cannot be carried on in carry on luggage.
I have travelled several times with a ballhead in my carry-on camera pack and never had a problem. If TSA gave me any grief, I would immediately politely request a supervisor.
I get a kick out of TSA declaring a ballhead as a weapon when they allow quite a few sets of fists, knuckles, and fingernails on every flight, not to mention loads of pens and pencils.
I've got no problem with rules - as long as reasonable logic is attached. And this is what appears to be missing from numerous TSA rules.
If you decide to carry it on and run into problems, it might help a little to show the screener a print-out of that page.
Posted by Rajesh Mohan on July 2, 2008 at 12:10 PM
I travel with my RRS ballhead in my carryon. No problem in any airport(international as well) so far. In fact, I also carry allen wrench and a Cambodian wooden Jaws harp that actually looks like a knife. I am hoping someone would stop me so I can give a demo. Never happened.
Nonetheless, my logic is that it is easy to find a tripod on location in case your check in bag is lost, but not the ballhead. But then, if the check in bag is lost, the chargers and every other accessory is gone too. So I guess the logic doesn't hold water.
Ballhead with a smile will go a long way. ;-)
I traveled with my ballhead as carryon. It was attached to my tripod, stuck in the tripod's case and I had no issue. I've also flown with my monopod broken down inside my luggage many times as carryon. I'm sure these cases happen, but I flew every week for almost two years and never had such an issue. I think if you are willing to explain what it is, it would be fine.
A TSA agent who thinks it looks like a grenade or any other weapon just proves that they are not doing the American people a service by hiring without a HS level education. Meanwhile the real threats slip through their fingers almost every time (in auditing tests). After searching on this, I found the DHS kept this information classified, but I'm pretty sure I remember a news report that highlighted that the pass rate was low.
Discussion
11 repliesI have not had a problem with the ballhead in my luggage. Before I got a tripod case, which I pack in duffle bag with clothes, I would place the ballhead inside my hiking boot. Have w onderful trip.
EDIT
Wow, I did find it! Italics added.
Some of you are really lucky! I have seen TSA agents confiscate ballheads smaller than seven inches from photo bags during screening because they deemed them to be weapons. I have seen this at Phoenix and Houston airports. I was stopped myself at the Houston airport and almost lost my Kirk BH-1 ballhead. The screener saw it in my photo bag and thought it was a grenade. When I told him what it was and he flet its weight, he then told me it was a weapon and was banned from carry on luggage. I told him I would check it the next time. He gave it back to me and let me proceed. On my next trip, I saw another agent confiscate a ballhead from a photo bag. The TSA agents at Grand Junction told me that all tripods, even those from carbon fiber, and monopods cannot be carried on in carry on luggage.
John - I love the hiking boot idea. That's where it's going!
I get a kick out of TSA declaring a ballhead as a weapon when they allow quite a few sets of fists, knuckles, and fingernails on every flight, not to mention loads of pens and pencils.
I've got no problem with rules - as long as reasonable logic is attached. And this is what appears to be missing from numerous TSA rules.
You are too funny, Michael.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1248.shtm
If you decide to carry it on and run into problems, it might help a little to show the screener a print-out of that page.
Nonetheless, my logic is that it is easy to find a tripod on location in case your check in bag is lost, but not the ballhead. But then, if the check in bag is lost, the chargers and every other accessory is gone too. So I guess the logic doesn't hold water.
Ballhead with a smile will go a long way. ;-)
cheers
Rajesh
A TSA agent who thinks it looks like a grenade or any other weapon just proves that they are not doing the American people a service by hiring without a HS level education. Meanwhile the real threats slip through their fingers almost every time (in auditing tests). After searching on this, I found the DHS kept this information classified, but I'm pretty sure I remember a news report that highlighted that the pass rate was low.