Film/cameras/airport security...Do I have it right?

[Cinda Indiana]

Oh gosh, I'm freaking out now. We will take a digital camera and a regular old 35mm and some film in our carry-on bags. No lead bag or anything...just in bag. Do I have to tell security that I have cameras/film in my carry on so they can look at it and not scan it? Or will they go ahead and scan it (and ruin my film). Or will they go ahead and scan it (and it won't ruin my film)? I don't know what to expect, but I sure don't want to come home with blank film, either... What should I expect and what should I do? Happy New Year!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

The digital camera and media will be fine. The film should be hand checked, just keep it in a zip lock bag and hand it to them.
If the camera has film in it, tell them and ask if they will hand check it. Don't use lead bags, it just causes the line to back up as they hand check it.

 

[sue Z]

it might not be feasible for you but when we fly we leave the film out of the camera and don't bring any film with us. We stop at the local Walmart and purchase all our film there and then make occassional trips back to have it deveolped too

 

[da disney fans]

Your film should be fine in your carry-on bag. If it's in your checked luggage, the film will erase, but the smaller x-ray machines shouldn't affect anything.

 

[Cinda Indiana]

Thanks all. Now I know what to do!

 

[seashoreCM]

I have found that security folks give you a hard time about not wanting to hand check film for you. They say that if the "speed is less than 1000" it goes through the X-rays fine. (Carry on only, never put film in checked baggage.)

Rumor has it that if you insist on having film hand checked, they will pull you aside for more thorough screening. I don't know which airports.

I would feel free to use lead bags for film and loaded cameras.

Another good idea, take the camera and film out and put these items in a separate bowl or tray. This way it is less likely to sit stopped under the X-rays for a long time while the agents scratch their heads and point to other things in the suitcase as seen on their viewing screen.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Jillpie]

We are leaving this coming Friday. I just finished packing our sons disposable cameras in their checked luggage. Should I not do this and put it in their backpack to carry on? I've never heard that it gets ruined in the checked luggage.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Remove the cameras from the checked luggage, film should be in carry on only. The new stronger xray scanners used for checked luggage will destroy the film, exposed or unexposed.

Link to the TSA website: http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=183&content=0900051980074366

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by seashoreCM
I have found that security folks give you a hard time about not wanting to hand check film for you. They say that if the "speed is less than 1000" it goes through the X-rays fine. (Carry on only, never put film in checked baggage.)

Rumor has it that if you insist on having film hand checked, they will pull you aside for more thorough screening. I don't know which airports.

I would feel free to use lead bags for film and loaded cameras.

Another good idea, take the camera and film out and put these items in a separate bowl or tray. This way it is less likely to sit stopped under the X-rays for a long time while the agents scratch their heads and point to other things in the suitcase as seen on their viewing screen.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

The TSA does not process film. If you use lead lined bags and they cannot see through them, they end up hand checking it anyway and you hold up the line, I would not use them.
The effects of the scanners are cumulative, and you have no idea how many times the film has been scanned before you purchase it. Yes, the speed has a lot to do with it, however, lower speeds subjected to scans prior to you buying it will show the effects.
I used to do this for a living and I used to see the damage the scanners with hand checked film cause.
They cannot refuse to hand check the film and cameras with film in them. You don't have to insist, you just hand it to them in a tray. I have found them to be most cooperative. I don't trust rumors.

 

[goofy4tink]

We always just put all our camera stuff in a big zip-lock baggie. It goes in my big purse. I just pull it out and put it in one of the trays. I'm happy, the screener's happy and the folks in back of me are happy. And, I don't have any film in the camera, just to be sure.

 

[Jillpie]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Remove the cameras from the checked luggage, film should be in carry on only. The new stronger xray scanners used for checked luggage will destroy the film, exposed or unexposed.

Link to the TSA website: http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=183&content=0900051980074366

Ok Gail, I'll do that. Thanks.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by goofy4tink
We always just put all our camera stuff in a big zip-lock baggie. It goes in my big purse. I just pull it out and put it in one of the trays. I'm happy, the screener's happy and the folks in back of me are happy. And, I don't have any film in the camera, just to be sure.

Ah, a traveler that I appreciate.

 

[minniestheone]

I have flown at least 6 times since this past July all with my 35 mm, extra lenses and multi-speed films in tow. My last flight was three weeks ago. I have never had any problems with my 800 speed or higher film or pictures and have taken my camera all 6 times.
Carry on your camera and new film. After you have used the film place it in a ziploc bag and tell them before you go through the scanner-they will hand check it. The only airport that has somewhat complained about this was Atlanta's and only a comment was made about how everyone should use 400 speed film. I did have 400 speed used film and put it through the scanner and my pictures came out wonderfully.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by minniestheone
I have flown at least 6 times since this past July all with my 35 mm, extra lenses and multi-speed films in tow. My last flight was three weeks ago. I have never had any problems with my 800 speed or higher film or pictures and have taken my camera all 6 times.
Carry on your camera and new film. After you have used the film place it in a ziploc bag and tell them before you go through the scanner-they will hand check it. The only airport that has somewhat complained about this was Atlanta's and only a comment was made about how everyone should use 400 speed film. I did have 400 speed used film and put it through the scanner and my pictures came out wonderfully.

I am glad your pictures came out well, it does not always happen that way. Trust me, I do know this from a lot of experience.
They cannot refuse to hand check your fillm. The comment on how everyone should use 400 speed film shows just how little the TSA knows about film and its uses for different speeds.
The TSA is there for our safety, they do not process film. I do tell folks to err on the side of caution and to have their film hand checked. As I have said many times the effects of the scanners are cumulative, you have no idea how many times that film may have been scanned before you purchase it.


http://www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/pressReleases/pr20030811-03.shtml