sometime you have to think out of the box. I use a monopod and I can get as much as 30 seconds if I want too. It is all about technique sometimes. If for example you are shooting near a low grill fence or some structure afix to the ground or not movable platform, just by placing your monpod next to one and use your hand to hold them together, or I could be pressing my monopod against a low wall or anything and I could end up getting alot more stablity out of that monpod for a steady long exposure shot. One second and beyond is easily possible in that case.
Just holding on to the monopod and standing there to shoot...one second or there about is still possible. Again it is all about technique and practice.