I've traveled with my scope and tripod a couple of times since 9/11 and not had a problem other than a momentary delay while they carefully examined the x-ray picture. I take that back. One time they actually unpacked my backpack to look at my bins. He complimented me on my nice optics and I was on my way.

In November my wife and I took a scope and tripod to the Galapagos without a problem. If you read the fine print on the back of your ticket, optics are NOT covered by the airlines in case of loss or damage. I ALWAYS carry my binoculars on with me. And if I take a scope, I carry it on as well. We took a trip to the east coast over the holidays with the "orange alert" and carried on our bins without a problem. Didn't take the scope.

Last, a word of caution. Seems like someone may have missed their flight because they were told to check or trash their scope. You might want to allow extra time at the airport to cover such a situation.

Bruce Jones
Shoreline, WA
> Has anyone carried a scope and/or tripod onto an airline recently? Any
> security concerns or other problems I should know about? (Domestic flight)
>
> It's big and bulky, so I'm not looking forward to it. I'm thinking of
> shipping the tripod ahead.
>
> Thanks for any advice!
>
> Christy Anderson
> Bellevue, WA