I'm considering buying a collapsible monopod for my next trip. TSA says ski poles must be checked, but walking canes are OK. The monopod is sort of both. Has anyone carried these recently? Can I carry it on or should I check it?

My mono collapses enough to fit diagonally into my rolling carry-on and I've taken it on at least a half dozen flights without a problem.It may have been luck or I've encountered TSA agents with common sense.

If you can fit it in your suitcase, all the better. Otherwise call the airline you are flying on and ask them if it's acceptable for carry on.

I wouldn't put a lot of faith in what the airline says is allowable.....TSA makes the call on what does/dosen't go on board the aircraft.After checking the TSA web site monopods/tripods are not itemized as prohibited items however "all photographic equipment" are listed as acceptable carry ons.

Thanks for all the advice. Just to follow-up: Since it wouldn't fit in my carry-on bag (about 2" too long) I stashed the monopod in a checked bag. Sure enough, when I got the bag back at Heathrow a pink "TSA Inspected" sticker was on the handle, which suggests it got their attention.

Alex, I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. Could be something else in the bag, could be random. We routinely pack a substantial tripod in our luggage, with the head taken off so it fits, and haven't yet had the bag inspected. (Our plastic zip ties are intact.)

What's a monopod? Camera equipment? Scooter?

It's like a <b>tri</b>pod but with one leg instead of three. It's useful for steadying your camera, but lighter to carry around and quicker to use. On the other hand, it obviously does not have the same stability as a tripod.