Airport Questions

[hanlin]

Hi! We leave tomorrow and I was reading SWA travel tips. They said not to pack undeveloped film in the checked baggage because the xray machine may damage it. They said to put it in your carry on and tell the scanner person to do a manual check. So are they saying the scanner at the carry on station damages the film too? I am using those disposable cameras and I will be really upset if they get destroyed due to the scanners. What has been your experience and what do you suggest??? Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

I always carry my camera and electronic stuff in my carryon. I put the camera stuff in a large plastic baggie. The security people have never taken it out, checked it more thoroughly or anything like that. I never put any film in my checked luggage, just to be safe. I've had the disposable camers, both exposed and unexposed, in my carryon and have not had a problem with it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

100, 200 and 400 speed film - the films MOST people use - should be entirely safe. 800 speed and higher, yes, you should request a hand inspection of your film (and your camera, if it's loaded) as the xray machines may damage it. And don't do the stupid thing I did - they'll tell you it'll take a few minutes; I walked off without my film and didn't remember it until I was on the plane! Is there a 'hit yourself on the head with a hammer' smilie?

 

[salmoneous]

The scanners for checked baggage are much more powerful than what is used for carry-ons. The checked baggage scanners can fog up just about any film. The ones for carry-on are only going to damage high-speed film (800+). The film in your disposable cameras should be fine with the carry-on scanners.

 

[justplaingoofy]

Most disposable cameras use 800 speed film. We ALWAYS pack it in our carry on and when going through security we ask for a "hand check". That is traveling to and from your destination. Last year we decided to have it developed at Walgreens in FloridaOne time we forgot and it went through the xray machine and the film came out all grainy and our pics of the caribbean were ruined.. (we pack an underwater disposable for vacations including Disney for the water parks, & hotel pools).

My father in law works for the TSA as a screener and he said its no problem to ask for a handcheck!