Film destroyed by airline x-ray????

[MsDisney23]

Looks like some of my film was destroyed by the airline x-ray. I took it as a carry on, and they still screened it. even though I asked them not to. The security lady was nasty and rude to me, and put it through the belt anyway.

Does anyone know of the best way to bring back your film from vacation without it being destoyed? I am thinking of my next trip to just see if I can mail it back home. I am going to see if I can ship from the resort. I do know that you can from the Contemporary. I am wondering if I should just back it in my actual luggage? Any help on this........ PLEASE

 

[TLinden16]

I'm pretty sure you can ship it from any of the resorts, or you could have it developed down there (although it's more expensive). Another option would be to send them into a place like Clark's or York that does photos by mail.

Do not put it in your checked luggage. The x-ray machines are a lot more powerful than the ones that your unchecked luggage goes through. My sister put hers in her checked luggage, and it ended up being fine, but who knows if that was just a fluke. It's better to be save than sorry.

You may also want to consider looking into a lead lined bag for your film. I know they sell them at Brookstone, and I'm guessing most camera stores and many travel stores will sell them as well. I believe they cost around $30--seems like a lot of money, but in the long run, would be cheaper than shipping your film home from vacations.

Karen

 

[geffric]

I mail mine to snapfish for developing to avoid the Xray.. but it also is fun becauce the time you get home some of your pictures are already on line for viewing.
Other option , if you have a car, is to drop the film off at WalMart or CVS for developing. It is MUCH less expensive than on site film developing..
good luck..

 

[Dan Murphy]

If a security person wants to put it on the belt, ask for a supervisor. Hand checks are permitted, per TSA........

http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1035.xml

 

[TammyNC]

My Mom had this happen to her on a trip that we went on a couple of years ago. This past year when she went with us to Disney she went to the local camera shop and bought a special bag to bring her film home in and she didn't have any trouble.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Beware of the lead bags. If the screener can not see through it, the/she can turn up the amount of xray going into the bag in order to see into the lead bag. They are no safer than just packing it. To be 100% safe, either insist on hand checking or develop while gone, or mail it home or to a developer.

 

[Blondie]

I've heard and read about people having their film ruined by airport screening xrays, but it's never happened to me.

I even put my video camera with film in it through the scanner.

I was told that it only affects film speeds of 800 and higher and to NOT put your film in with your luggage because the scanners are more powerful and can/will ruin your film.

 

[disney funseeker]

Just curious about the film speed you had.

I had mostly 400 speed and the underwater camera was 800 speed.

Security insisted I put everything through on the way down to Disney.
On the way back home, again I didn't want my underwater camera to go through. When I told security the speed of my film he said no, don't put the 800 speed through.

You, can guess which film was ruined.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Originally posted by TLinden16
Do not put it in your checked luggage. The x-ray machines are a lot more powerful than the ones that your unchecked luggage goes through. My sister put hers in her checked luggage, and it ended up being fine, but who knows if that was just a fluke. It's better to be save than sorry.

You may also want to consider looking into a lead lined bag for your film. I know they sell them at Brookstone, and I'm guessing most camera stores and many travel stores will sell them as well. I believe they cost around $30--seems like a lot of money, but in the long run, would be cheaper than shipping your film home from vacations.

Karen

Her's might have been ok if the airport used some sort of screening method besides x-ray. For some reason, although all airports are required to screen all checked baggage, not all have the same kinds of equipment to do so. No matter what, DO NOT put the film in checked baggage.
The lead bags do protect the film, but make sure to take the bag out of your regular carry on when you place it on the belt. Place the lead bag on the belt seperately, because otherwise they may need to search your carryon, since they can't see everything in it. And depending on airport policy this can lead to at least checking the shoes, if not the entire patdown. I learned that from experience. They say that film under 800 speed is safe, as long as it does not travel through the x-ray more then 4-5 times. I always save a bunch of money and get my film developed at the end of the trip. That way the film only passes through once.

 

[luvsTink]

We just got back late on Wed. night. Thursday I was setting in a meeting when I realized (with significant horror) that our 12 rolls of film that we had taken were in our CHECKED bags. I fretted all day (and prayed!). As soon as I got home I took them to a one hour photo place. Happily the vast majority of the turned out. Two or three pics on each roll appeared foggy, but I am not sure if that was due to the xray or if it was the sun.

So, who knows. When I went to Mexico last year, I had 800 speed film and I requested a hand search and they did it.

Anne

 

[CarolA]

I send my film thur the scanners ALL the time and never have problems (both 400 and 800)

I have had problems, but almost ALL of them have been due to other issues. The one time I thought the machine had damaged my film it finally turned out the camera was not closing properly allowing light in and fogging the photos.


So if your film is fogged be sure to check for other things to.. (My mom used to store unused film on top of her microwave! BAD!)

Also, those lead bags..... make sure you get a good one. One of my friends had her film in one. The screener said to her. WOW! You have a lot of film. He could see each roll thur the "lead" bag. (She said the bag cost about $75.)