Originally Posted by
Bart
Yes, you can take it with you through the checkpoint as a carry-on (as long as it is within the dimensions defined by your airline for carry-ons); however, it will have to go through the x-ray at the checkpoint.
The reason for the ambiguous responses is that there may be a supervisor out there who might regard the tripod as a potential weapon. I think that might have been a possibility a few years ago when the organization was still young and trying to figure out how to implement this relatively new policy; however, I very seriously doubt it would be prohibited today. IF a TSO were to contemplate prohibiting your tripod, ask to speak with a supervisor.
And there is the problem, any TSA checkpoint can prohibit an item at will and the traveler has no recourse. If it cannot be checked the only choices left are to not fly or have the item confiscated, it is not surrendered if that is not the true choice of the traveler.