Hopefully, I can get a definitive answer from someone (preferably one of the TSA folks who post here).

Tripods -- yes or no?

I've got a carbon fiber (meaning very light) tripod. It doesn't have spiked feet. When collapsed, it's smaller-than-carryon size. The TSA website is completely silent about tripods (I can't believe this doesn't come up more often). This is a $600 piece of equipment, and I'm not about to risk confiscation.

Is there a clear rule? Is it "inspector's discretion"?

Thanks for any info.