film in checked in luggage

[buzz2400]

Does anyone know if the x-ray machines ruin film that we took pictures from. I know you can't put undevoped film in the checkin.

We had a problem at the security and had to quickly repack our bags and one canister of film was put in the checked in luggage. By the way if you buy a little tiny toy gun don't put it in your carry on. I did not think anything of it because it was a tiny gun but they said I had to check it or throw it out. Boy was that a scary situation. They had a bunch of security guys come over and look at the xray machine for a very long time. I was shaking.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by buzz2400
Does anyone know if the x-ray machines ruin film that we took pictures from. I know you can't put undevoped film in the checkin.

We had a problem at the security and had to quickly repack our bags and one canister of film was put in the checked in luggage. By the way if you buy a little tiny toy gun don't put it in your carry on. I did not think anything of it because it was a tiny gun but they said I had to check it or throw it out. Boy was that a scary situation. They had a bunch of security guys come over and look at the xray machine for a very long time. I was shaking.

Do not put undeveloped or unexposed film in your checked luggage. Undeveloped means film that has not gone through processing. Unexposed means there is nothing on it, exposed means you have taken pictures with it. Photos are safe, film of any sort is not. That is a carry on item.

 

[kokomom]

They make lead bags to put film in--even digital cameras. I wouldn't put any film in a checked bag. Even going through security I would get a bag (the run about $20) a family member had digital pictures lost 2x's from the new security (this was not in a checked bag).

We are going in September and I got the bag...will put in my carry on. Even if it takes a couple of extra minutes it is well worth the time/cost to lose memories!

 

[DebbieB]

When we were in the x-ray line for checked luggage at PIT in May, they asked everyone if they had film in their checked luggage and there was also a big sign. The checked luggage x-ray machine is very strong. They told me digital cameras were OK, I had mine in carryon anyway.

I was on a trip with a friend in 1999 and she had a little toy gun from Pirates in her carryon. They swooped in on that bag! She was given the same choices - check or pitch. We had time so she went back to check-in and had it put in a little box, it came through with the luggage at PIT.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by kokomom
They make lead bags to put film in--even digital cameras. I wouldn't put any film in a checked bag. Even going through security I would get a bag (the run about $20) a family member had digital pictures lost 2x's from the new security (this was not in a checked bag).

We are going in September and I got the bag...will put in my carry on. Even if it takes a couple of extra minutes it is well worth the time/cost to lose memories!

If you use that bag and they cannot see through it, they will boost the power on the scanner. That could potentially ruin your film. Hand carried film is safe up to 800 speed. If you have doubts, have it hand checked. It is your right to request this.
Lead lined bags do nothing, in reality, but slow down the security lines, and if they still cannot see through the lead lined bag, then they have to hand check it anyway. It simply slows down the line for everyone. Hand checking is simply the fastest way.
You do not need anything for a digital camera or the media, it is not "subject" to the harmful rays of scanners or xrays. It is really nothing more than writable memory, similar to what is in a computer. Computers are not harmed, hence, digital media is not harmed. The only exception MIGHT be digital cameras that use floppy disks to write the image. But, any magnate can cause harm to that media.
Check this link. http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=001OdM&msg_id=001OdM

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by DebbieB
When we were in the x-ray line for checked luggage at PIT in May, they asked everyone if they had film in their checked luggage and there was also a big sign. The checked luggage x-ray machine is very strong. They told me digital cameras were OK, I had mine in carryon anyway.

I was on a trip with a friend in 1999 and she had a little toy gun from Pirates in her carryon. They swooped in on that bag! She was given the same choices - check or pitch. We had time so she went back to check-in and had it put in a little box, it came through with the luggage at PIT.

LOL, we had a similar experience in 95, we had a friend's son with us and after telling him 99 times "don't put that gun in the carry on" he did. We ended up checking the bag. LOL

Also, I had my manicure scissors in my carry on, what was I thinking when I packed for home?) and I ended up mailing those home. They were expensive scissors, otherwise, I would have tossed them. Good lessons here,and I was pleased that the scanners picked this stuff up.

 

[buzz2400]

Is there a little chance that my film will be all right. It was only one roll of film. I pick it up on Friday but I feel so bad. I don't know what was on the roll of film but there were a few pictures that my son really wanted and since I have the worst luck in the world, I have a feeling it was one of those. I would not mind as much if these are pictures that we have taken on previous trips but one if with Peter Pan (which everyone knows is very hard to get) and the other is with my son's favorite Nascar at Universal. I am sick to death about this. By the way they said I did not have the option of mailing it to me. I either had to throw the gun away or put it in checked luggage.

 

[Lewisc]

Of course it's worth a shot to get it developed. The faster the film (ASA speed) the more likely it is that your pictures may be fogged.

Most places won't charge you if the film is unprintable. A poor picture may be better than NO picture.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by buzz2400
Is there a little chance that my film will be all right. It was only one roll of film. I pick it up on Friday but I feel so bad. I don't know what was on the roll of film but there were a few pictures that my son really wanted and since I have the worst luck in the world, I have a feeling it was one of those. I would not mind as much if these are pictures that we have taken on previous trips but one if with Peter Pan (which everyone knows is very hard to get) and the other is with my son's favorite Nascar at Universal. I am sick to death about this. By the way they said I did not have the option of mailing it to me. I either had to throw the gun away or put it in checked luggage.

There is always a chance and I am keeping my fingers crossed for you. A lot will depend on what the speed of the film was, how strong the xray was, etc. Let us know how it comes out.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks Gail for the info on the lead bags. I was going to use one next month but now I won't bother with it. I'll just pack my film in my carry-on. You say up to 800 is fine? I use mostly 400 and 800. so I should be fine. Thanks again.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by goofy4tink
Thanks Gail for the info on the lead bags. I was going to use one next month but now I won't bother with it. I'll just pack my film in my carry-on. You say up to 800 is fine? I use mostly 400 and 800. so I should be fine. Thanks again.

Yep, up to 800 speed should be fine, BUT, I would have my 800 speed hand checked just to be on the safe side. Having them ready to be hand checked is a heck of a lot faster than having them scan your bag numerous times and then have to have it inspected.

 

[gfolchick]

After our cruise in May we headed to WDW for the day. I was so tired being up early to disembark, then a whole day at the park and an early wake up for our flight that I packed all 11 rolls of film I took on our cruise. I didn't think about it until I was walking through the airport after dropping off hubby and kids and returning rental car and I saw the scanners and remembered I packed all the film. I was literally sick to my stomach for the two days until it was developed. For the most part, all my pictures came out. Some were grainy, but I was so thankful that they came out. It was 400 speed APS film. I won't make that mistake again, no matter how tired I am, it will go in my carry-on.

 

[gfolchick]

Buzz2400, I just noticed, we're neighbors.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by gfolchick
After our cruise in May we headed to WDW for the day. I was so tired being up early to disembark, then a whole day at the park and an early wake up for our flight that I packed all 11 rolls of film I took on our cruise. I didn't think about it until I was walking through the airport after dropping off hubby and kids and returning rental car and I saw the scanners and remembered I packed all the film. I was literally sick to my stomach for the two days until it was developed. For the most part, all my pictures came out. Some were grainy, but I was so thankful that they came out. It was 400 speed APS film. I won't make that mistake again, no matter how tired I am, it will go in my carry-on.

I am glad to hear that. Grainy pictures are not from the scanners, they are more "user" errors than anything else.

 

[buzz2400]

gfolchick, where do you live?

I pick up my pictures Friday night at Walmart. It was a 200 speed.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by buzz2400
gfolchick, where do you live?

I pick up my pictures Friday night at Walmart. It was a 200 speed.

Well, knowing the process of the outlab, you may or may not have images on the film. Which walmart did you use?
If you don't like them, ask one hour to redo them. They can and will charge it back to the outlab.

 

[dcfromva]

Here is another link from the TSA web site regarding film handling through security...

(This is just an excerpt--please go to the TSA web page for complete details)
"At the passenger security checkpoint, you should remove the following types of film from your carry-on baggage and ask for a hand inspection:
Film of any speed which is subjected to X-ray surveillance more than 5 times (the effect of X-ray screening is cumulative)"

Another thing that could be done to protect your film is to have it developed while at WDW. It is a little bit expensive, but it would save any worry about spoiling the film. Also, it would give you a chance to re-do pictures ...

-DC

 

[gfolchick]

Buzz,
In the Daniels Farm district.

Gail,
I take a decent picture most of the time. The pictures I took before and since the cruise are sharp quality so I'm blaming it on scanners.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by gfolchick
Buzz,
In the Daniels Farm district.

Gail,
I take a decent picture most of the time. The pictures I took before and since the cruise are sharp quality so I'm blaming it on scanners.

Ok, works for me. Are you talking fogged film? This link should define the problem.

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/tib/tib5201.shtml#SEC47

 

[gfolchick]

Gail,
Neat link. The examples shown are how some of my pics turned out, in the one pass scan and they have the greenish tint on the dark areas that they refer to. Thanks for the info.