Bobarino wrote:
So no issues through London-Heathrow?
This might help;
https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/security-and-baggage/hand-baggage-and-liquids#:~:text=Size%20and%20number%20of%20bags,22in%20x%2018in%20x%2010in).
Thanks,
I have combed over that and the other UK gov site and there is no mention at all of tripods. You would think this would be easy to sort out with certainty but so far, I have nothing.
Ai_Print wrote:
Thanks,
I have combed over that and the other UK gov site and there is no mention at all of tripods. You would think this would be easy to sort out with certainty but so far, I have nothing.
Check-in early so you can have extra time to deal with any possible "snags" at security. Print out a product sales page from B&H that you can show the security agent,,,in case they don't know what a tripod is. If worse comes to worse,,, you can return to the check-in counter and have them sort out any issues. The agent can contact the flight-crew to see if they can help.
Your tripod doesn't have spikes,,, unless you've added accessory spikes. (I have the same kit GK-2545T-82QD)
I've been through Heathrow a few hundred times (retired flight-crew member here).
The main "hassle" at Heathrow, is the walking,,,,,,,,, LOTS of walking.
Bobarino wrote:
Check-in early so you can have extra time to deal with any possible "snags" at security. Print out a product sales page from B&H that you can show the security agent,,,in case they don't know what a tripod is. If worse comes to worse,,, you can return to the check-in counter and have them sort out any issues. The agent can contact the flight-crew to see if they can help.
Your tripod doesn't have spikes,,, unless you've added accessory spikes. (I have the same kit GK-2545T-82QD)
I've been through Heathrow a few hundred times (retired flight-crew member here).
The main "hassle" at Heathrow, is the walking,,,,,,,,, LOTS of walking.
I have the short spikes installed but you can not see them visually with the rubber feet covering them. On a CT X-ray they might. I rely on them for the wet, grassy terrain.
One thing I'd recommend before leaving your country with expensive gear,,,, register your products serial numbers with Customs. At the very least, carry your original sales receipt as proof of original purchase, otherwise, when you return to your country, the Customs agent can simply say you purchased this item while abroad, and it may therefore be subject to duty and/or taxes. Worst case scenario is, they simply confiscate the item, and possibly charge you with "making a false declaration". You can't win an argument with those people, so stick to yes or no answers when they ask questions, and be ready to provide proof that you owned the goods prior to departure from your country.
Bobarino wrote:
One thing I'd recommend before leaving your country with expensive gear,,,, register your products serial numbers with Customs. At the very least, carry your original sales receipt as proof of original purchase, otherwise, when you return to your country, the Customs agent can simply say you purchased this item while abroad, and it may therefore be subject to duty and/or taxes. Worst case scenario is, they simply confiscate the item, and possibly charge you with "making a false declaration". You can't win an argument with those people, so stick to yes or no answers when they ask questions, and be ready to provide proof that you owned the goods prior to departure from your country....Show more →
I shoot for a living and go abroad, I do this regularly.
Flown into and out of the UK (Heathrow and Glasgow) and Italy (Rome, Milan and Venice) few times each with my GT2541 with spiked feet in carry-on with ball head removed. Never had an issue.
TSA could care less. It is the flight attendants that might object but I have never had a problem. I have a 18L backpack on my back and a 32L backpack in one hand and the tripod legs in my other hand. I use a tripod that is less than 22" in length and so fits crossways in the overhead bin and take up less than 5" of linear space. I put my jacket over the tripod. The gimbal head is in my 18L bag.
Alaska Air....whom everyone uses to go fishing in Alaska...never had a problem carrying a 2-piece fly rod case (up to 3.5'- 4' long) as a carryon. Other airlines probably wouldn't let you. Again, probably depends on the airline.
Short story, tripod in carry on bag going into and coming out of London Heathrow, a notorious PITA airport.
Tripod-Heathrow extended mix:
I now admit I have an addiction to the North Atlantic region and will continue this addiction this Fall. In the Fall 2021 I spent two months in the Faroe Islands shooting all medium format film save a Leica M10-P. Last Fall I spent a month in Iceland, digital that time. Both of those trips I checked a soft side roller bag very well packed and that included my Gitzo GT2545T Series 2 tripod.
Those were photo-centric, income earning trips so my wife did not come along. This Fall however I am going to the Scottish Highlands for just over three weeks and my wife is going with me. I am taking a lighter kit, Hasselblad X2D, 45, 65 and 100 lenses and my Leica M10-P with a 35mm. The tripod is going, but the question is and short of writing UK.gov, I have no clarity on if I can fly back home with this 17.5" when folded tripod in a carry on roller bag. The other concern about it and I *think* I might be ok is that the rubber feet are hard-pull removable to reveal spikes, essential in wet sloppy terrain.
I'll be fine going in, flying biz class but coming out, not so sure.
So, Heathrow specific, anyone have any input?...Show more →
I was there last year. Gitzo 1545 traveler in my carry on. No issues.
Airlines prioritize certain types of travelers. In Hawaii it was golfers and in Costa Rica it was fisher folk and surfers and in Alaska the commercial fish got priority over passengers and PennAir removed our checked luggage at the King Salmon airport to make more room for crates of salmon.
