A follow-up to this thread. On a recent trip through TSA at JFK (returning from international trip), my bag got pulled aside for a bag check. The item of concern was a small mini tabletop tripod.

They gave me a bit of a hard time about it - took about 10 minutes to resolve, but in the end it was not confiscated. I DID get them to admit that tripods ARE permitted items.

I've taken that same tripod through at least 100 security checks over the last 3 years, and it went through CDG security that very morning.

never had an issue with mine.

another experience
 

Detroit to New York (DTW-LGA) Delta flight. I have an aluminum Dolica reversible folding tripod that folds down to ~12.5 inches (~32cm) in its own black bag attached to the bottom of my very full 40 liter backpack. TSA/X-ray didn't bat an eye to/from New York.

From what I've read over the last year or 2, it really depends on the security agent and your luck. It shouldn't have anything to do with the airline, but the airport security. If you have checked-luggage, you mind as well pack it with checked luggage. and if you want to try your luck getting it through security, be prepared to show them how to use it. It really helps if you have a nice camera to show them as well. Their only real concern is to be sure you aren't bringing in a weapon.

Also, many tripods have metal spikes. Make sure your model doesn't have them...even if its retracted, it shows up in X-ray!

In the end, we all know that airport security have a lot of authority and may not be the most reasonable bunch, so be prepared to check the tripod. (have a well-padded container for it), and have enough time to return to the check-in desk to check the tripod... Note: The tripod head (if removable) are generally acceptable in carry-on. I recommend taking that with you since it is a little delicate, and may be damaged as checked-luggage.

I got mine through with no issues going from London to Keflavik. I know it's not dealing with the same authorities as the OP, but all I got was a quick "is that a camera tripod?" and I was on my way.

I've always just checked a tripod in buried in my checked luggage. haven't tried a mini table top tripod in hand carry luggage yet.

Checking for updates:

My tripod runs over 1000 bucks with the head. I really don't want to check it but I even less want to give it to TSA.

I am now Global Entry/TSA pre-check. I will take the DSLR of course and my laptop on carryon.

Any issues? Is there a place online that says tripods are OK that I could print out and take with me?

Thanks.

No print out but I can report that I have been carrying my tripod in my rollaboard carry-on for years. The most that has happened has been a secondary check triggered at the x-ray machine. Once they saw what it was, I was passed through every time.

Good to hear nothing changed over the years. I plan to take mine now on holiday.

Just the caveat as noted above from February: ensure that your tripod doesn't have metal spikes. One of mine has retractable metal spikes and I wouldn't try to carry it on.

OK. It doesn't have any metal spikes.

I did not take the tripod after all that and didn't miss it.

The 7D takes really good night photos handheld, actually. And in a pinch I rested it on a sturdy surface and used the timer.

Australia will be fine, I've carried on 100 times. Different story in the US though - I had to check it.

i'll be bringing my mefoto tripod with me. it's the mefoto roadtrip tripod, similar to this: http://www.mefoto.com/products/roadtrip.aspx

it came with a carrying case...but i might want to hand carry it with me...will it be more of a pita if i do hand carry it? i can, if needed, can put it into my check luggage in the carrying case.

my routing will be was/yyz/nrt/mnl - and reverse for the return.....

The answer is the Gorillapod, my friends :) of course, it's nowhere near as expensive, capable etc as some of the tripods mentioned in the thread but there's no way the TSA can have a problem with it.

DSLR + Gorillapod = waste of money. It works fine with a point and shoot or small ILC but with a full-sized, full weight DSLR, it is just too unstable.