Originally Posted by PTravel
What's the basis for asking them to be checked? As I said, this is a $600 piece of precision equipment, and I'm not about to just hand it to the airline without it being packed in something. Is this a discretionary thing? Is there any rule I can point to, i.e. "it weighs less than X pounds," or whatever?
Nope, there's no such rule. The basis for disallowing it as a carryon would be if it were heavy and club-like. See the Flashlight thread from the past couple of days. As yours is not heavy (and is extremely light), it is OK.
A multi-D-cell Maglite (typically used by LA cops to beat suspects) might very well be disallowed while a mini-maglite would pass unquestioned.
That said, I have traveled with a lightweight tripod (though not $600 worth) and never been questioned.
And despite the misinformation in
bambi47's post, you are allowed an extra carryon containing your photographic equipment, provided your airline agrees. I'd call your airline in advance and ask about it.