film cameras and airport x-ray ???

[cepmom]

We have a digital camera, but wanted to bring a few disposable underwater cameras for our cruise portion of our upcoming trip (next week!!! ). Should I wait to buy them once we get to Orlando to avoid bringing though airport security? What about on the way home? Will the airport scanners destroy the film once it has been used?? Is it better to put them in checked luggage or carry on?

We have had a digital camera for quite a while now so I can't remember what to do with a film camera when going though airport security. TIA

 

[safetymom]

I would buy the cameras in Orlando. When you are done with the cameras have them developed in Orlando or mail them off. Don't put them in your luggage. If you take them through the airport ask for a hand inspection. X-Rays are cumulative so it may be fine but do you want to take that risk?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I would buy the cameras in Orlando. When you are done with the cameras have them developed in Orlando or mail them off. Don't put them in your luggage. If you take them through the airport ask for a hand inspection. X-Rays are cumulative so it may be fine but do you want to take that risk?

The advice from safetymom is excellent. Your best bet is to purchase and to develop your film at your destination.

If you find you must take undeveloped film on a flight, don't put it into your checked luggage. That's because checked luggage is subjected to much higher x-ray levels than carry-on luggage.

 

[Drnifer]

I always have my film and cameras hand inspected instead of putting them through the x-ray machine and I've never had a problem. On my last trip in June the security attendant in Orlando told me that 800 or less film can go through the machine with no problems(although in Chicago they hand inspected it). I did put it through the machine and had it developed at home with no problems. It still makes me uncomfortable, so I will still ask to have it hand inspected in the future.

 

[cepmom]

thanks!! I will wait to purchase the cameras in Orlando. Any suggestions on where to get them at a reasonable price? We will be traveling from the Polynesian to Port Canaveral. How about a good place to get it developed near Universal's Royal Pacific? Someplace I can drop it to be developed on the way to RP, then pick it up the next day on the way to MCO.
I was thinking at Walgreens or similar (trying to avoid going to a big Walmart or Target ~ I want to be able to get in and out quickly!)

 

[Cameo]

Please be aware - I nicely asked for my film (10 of them) and camera, plus a few single-use cameras to be hand inspected in Orlando and the security person just about bit my head off. She was very rude to me and wanted me to know that the 200- and 400-speed films that I had would be fine. I started to get a bit angry and I insisted she do it. Well, she was livid, saying she would not do it. What could I do? I let it go through in my bag.

Well, I had all my stuff in an x-ray bag, which they can't see through when it goes through the x-ray machine, so guess what? She had to take it out and hand inspect it all. She was so angry at me and my DH was mad at me for "making a scene." The security person slammed everything down when hand inspecting and would barely talk to me afterward.

This was at a non-busy time, so I imagine if it is busy, they really wouldn't want to hand inspect anything.

 

[CarolA]

They are required to hand inspect, but the hate it.

I used to fly all the time with 800 film and just took my chances, never had a problem. I got so much grief in Spain one time I just gave up. (They took the request as a personal insult!) Now I only use digital so at least I don't have to worry about that...

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

For the past couple years or so I've been putting my film and camera into an X-Ray proof bag in my carry on. I never ask to have the film hand screened because I know that they'll stop me and check my bag because they can't see thru the film bag. I've never had any Security person get upset because they have to do this. Once they pull me over, I tell them what it is, they look thru it and let me go. It works for us because my husband has had numerous surgeries on his back (has a plate in his upper spine area) plus he has an artificial knee. He ALWAYS gets stopped because he beeps every time. While they're wand inspecting him, they're looking at my X-Ray bag and we finish at the same time. We've never had any kind of problem at all.

 

[pugdog]

Please be aware - I nicely asked for my film (10 of them) and camera, plus a few single-use cameras to be hand inspected in Orlando and the security person just about bit my head off. She was very rude to me and wanted me to know that the 200- and 400-speed films that I had would be fine. I started to get a bit angry and I insisted she do it. Well, she was livid, saying she would not do it. What could I do? I let it go through in my bag.

Well, I had all my stuff in an x-ray bag, which they can't see through when it goes through the x-ray machine, so guess what? She had to take it out and hand inspect it all. She was so angry at me and my DH was mad at me for "making a scene." The security person slammed everything down when hand inspecting and would barely talk to me afterward.

This was at a non-busy time, so I imagine if it is busy, they really wouldn't want to hand inspect anything.

That's when you ask for a superviser. something like that is uncalled for and needs attention and hopefully some type of disapline.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I always have my film and cameras hand inspected instead of putting them through the x-ray machine and I've never had a problem. On my last trip in June the security attendant in Orlando told me that 800 or less film can go through the machine with no problems(although in Chicago they hand inspected it). I did put it through the machine and had it developed at home with no problems. It still makes me uncomfortable, so I will still ask to have it hand inspected in the future.

I think that TSA agent is a little wrong. To the best of my knowledge, 800 speed film and above should be hand-inspected. 100, 200 and 400 will do fine in the xray machine at the security check (but yes, don't pack unexposed film in your checked luggage)