Gorillapod through security
Aug 19, 2011, 3:07 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Oslo, Norway
Programs: BA blue
Posts: 148
Gorillapod through security
I have a gorillapod tripod in a side pocket of my camera bag.
Will this be a problem when taking the bag through airport security?
I guess it could be seen as something bad by some people..
I will be passing through security at OSL, LHR T5 and JFK T7 on my trip..
When in my bag it looks like this:
When taken out it looks like this:
Will this be a problem when taking the bag through airport security?
I guess it could be seen as something bad by some people..
I will be passing through security at OSL, LHR T5 and JFK T7 on my trip..
When in my bag it looks like this:
When taken out it looks like this:
Aug 19, 2011, 9:23 am
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,728
You should not have any issues.
On the other hand, you should not have to submit to being irradiated and/or groped by a high-school drop-out hired from an ad on the top of a pizza box, who is almost infinitely more likely to be a thief, rapist, child molester, or other type of criminal or deviant than they'll ever actually find a terrorist, just to board an aircraft.
Also, any TSA clerk can choose to claim your item as prohibited at any time:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...ted-items.shtm
The prohibited items list is not intended to be all-inclusive and is updated as necessary. To ensure travelers' security, Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) may determine that an item not on the Prohibited Items List is prohibited.
Aug 19, 2011, 2:50 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Programs: AA - EXP 2.3 MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold, recovering UA Premier
Posts: 280
You should not have a problem. I routinely travel with a 20" Gitzo carbon-fiber tripod and machined aluminium ballhead. In well over 100 security screenings, all I've received from TSA is one x-ray operator asked "is that a tripod in your bag?" I told him yes, and that was it.
Frankfurt screeners wanted to see the ballhead because it looked like a grenade, and the Nice airport screeners said that a tripod was a club and therefore a weapon. But no problems from TSA.
Frankfurt screeners wanted to see the ballhead because it looked like a grenade, and the Nice airport screeners said that a tripod was a club and therefore a weapon. But no problems from TSA.
Aug 19, 2011, 2:56 pm
#7
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,138
No, you shouldn't have a problem.
I occasionally run into a TSO who has no clue about a tripod, monopod, or other piece of similar gear, and even a few times have been lectured that I "should check the item to avoid delays in the future," but by and large they don't even draw a second glance or bag check.
I occasionally run into a TSO who has no clue about a tripod, monopod, or other piece of similar gear, and even a few times have been lectured that I "should check the item to avoid delays in the future," but by and large they don't even draw a second glance or bag check.
Aug 19, 2011, 3:00 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CT
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat, Marriott Ambassador, Hyatt Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 340
No, you shouldn't have a problem.
I occasionally run into a TSO who has no clue about a tripod, monopod, or other piece of similar gear, and even a few times have been lectured that I "should check the item to avoid delays in the future," but by and large they don't even draw a second glance or bag check.
I occasionally run into a TSO who has no clue about a tripod, monopod, or other piece of similar gear, and even a few times have been lectured that I "should check the item to avoid delays in the future," but by and large they don't even draw a second glance or bag check.
I've had a bag check once and they spent a little time on the gorillapod, but no major issues. [They also said 'check the item to avoid delays in the future,' but I haven't, and it hasn't appeared to trigger anything since then..]
Aug 19, 2011, 3:01 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CT
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat, Marriott Ambassador, Hyatt Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 340
Sep 7, 2011, 2:31 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Oslo, Norway
Programs: BA blue
Posts: 148
An update for those interested:
I decided to put it in checked baggage OSL-LHR-JFK
But on the return trip i forgot to do this.
The TSA guy at the scanner at JFK asked what it was and when i answered tripod i examined it thoroughly and asked someone i think was a supervisor, which said OK.
LHR T5 security didn't say a thing.
I decided to put it in checked baggage OSL-LHR-JFK
But on the return trip i forgot to do this.
The TSA guy at the scanner at JFK asked what it was and when i answered tripod i examined it thoroughly and asked someone i think was a supervisor, which said OK.
LHR T5 security didn't say a thing.