I recently took a Benro packed in my 22" wheelie without problem. The legs are about 19", so I had to detach the head to make everything fit. It was definitely no muss, no fuss going through security.

Gorillapod... can't hurt anyone :)

Are they less worried about monopods, or are they freaked out since they don't understand what one is? They would know what a tripod is.

Can't do the same thing as a full tripod, either.

I've brought monopods in my carry-on a number of time without incident. Again, however, monopod is a poor substitute for a tripod.

If I recall correctly, the primary concern TSA has with tripods (or monopods) is that they not have spiked feet. Then again, it's TSA, so who knows?

I have a benro carbon fiber travel angel. (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search...tialSearch=yes) Last year I traveled GUM-NRT-SEA-PDX-JFK-CAS-MAK,FES-CAS-JFK,EWR-NRT-GUM with it in my carry-on (a thinktank airport secruity) and didn't once get a second look.

On photography forums there are occasional reports of the TSA or non-US security forcing people to check bags if they have a tripod. These cases are rare, but not nonexistent.

FWIW, I usually carry my gitzo in a soft traveling case with no problems at all.

I've never had a problem with my tripod on my carry-on. However, because it lays flat along the length of the bag, it's probably being mistaken for being part of the bag's frame or hardware.

On my last trip, I took a new tripod through which required detaching the head. The head is a pistol grip, and literally looks just like a short gun. Did anyone from the TSA see it? At 3 different airports, no.

Funny you mention that on the pistol grip head -- I have a RRS ball head, which I travel with unmounted from the tripod in a carry-on. One time, they sent the camera bag through two times, then did a hand inspection. She pulled out the ball head and showed it to the agent running the x-ray scanner, and they had a chuckle.

Apparently the ball head with the quick release lever open looks exactly like a grenade on the monitor.

Also I'll mention I've never had a problem with a tripod in the photo carry-on backpack, and I travel everywhere (domestically) with the tripod, through the TSA checkpoints dozens of times a year. Of course, now that I say that...:rolleyes:

I thought to travel with my monopod. On the very first trip my home airport stopped my bag to look at it. From the conversation between the two TSA guys they had no problem with it going through because "it serves a purpose." Apparently a monopod looks like something known as a "hazing stick" which they do confiscate.

I did not get checked on the return (either BDL or BOS) with the monopod in my carry-on. I was afraid to put it in my checked bag because I've had things removed from my checked bag on previous trips and am dubious of the security of the contents of my bag. Had I been forced to check my carryon then that would've been the downside if they tried to confiscate my monopod.

Ha! Exactly what happened with my RRS BH-40 today! Along with the Rocket Air Blower side-by-side make a great combo. ;)

Monopod not Allowed At Bucharest Airport
 

A few years ago, when the NWA/KLM mistake fare happened, my wife had to check her Italian-made photographer's monopod. Screener said it was too much like a club when collapsed. I agreed with him in my head even as I argued with my mouth.

Finally prevailed on my wife to leave the darn thing home on vacations since then because we never willingly check anything. Before Romania, she got it thru several screenings around the world.

Similarly, I got her to also skip the Leika walking sticks. They are just like ski poles, but with rubber tips. Replaced a lost rubber tip once at small hardware store in Punta Arenas, Chile. Talk about needle-haystack luck!

+1

Gitzo 1541T with a Markins Q3T ballhead in a Gitzo 1201T traveller bag. Fits perfectly on a carry-on.

deleted ... i had meant to start a new thread.

Any recomendations for a good, cheap, light, "TSA may steal this and it won't bother me" tripod/monopod for travel? I have a Nikon D90, and I don't check luggage.

there are plenty of $10-20 tripods out there- check a department store or something