laptops?

[dtolle]

Can my laptop go through the metal detector/X Ray at check in? I'm asking because I'm bringing my camera and laptop in one bag with some other carry on items, but I think I heard somewhere it can damage your laptop to put it through the XRAY machine..

Also, I've put my film through before with no trouble, as far as I know its a myth that the XRAY machine will ruin in. I went to Las Vegas two years ago and 2 rolls of film went through and my pics were fine. But I've read here on these boards that film has been ruined....hmmmm, not sure now?

Anybody know?

 

[pugdog]

your film can be ruined if you put it in your checked luggage not carry on. and if you want to be even safer you can ask them to hand check the film.

For the laptop you need to take it out of any case you have it in for them to xray it. and there is no damage done to it.
I take the laptop on every trip to download the digital camera and have never had any problems.

 

[safetymom]

No damage to the laptop having it x rayed. You will need to remove it from its case. It is not a myth about film. The effects are cumulative so it may not happen the first time but it can. I wouldn't want to chance my photos being ruined. You can always take prepaid mailers with you and mail off the film when you are done taking pictures.
That is also another reason why I have gone totally digital. No worries.

 

[MissionMouse]

Here is a quick glance at guidance provided by Kodak:

1. AIRPORT X-RAY SECURITY
Security precautions at US airports have been significantly tightened following the tragic events of September 11th. Among precautions that travelers can expect will be the increased use of new, high-intensity x-ray scanners for checked baggage and hand-carried baggage. Passengers should be aware that these high-intensity x-ray machines will fog and ruin all unprocessed film of any speed, whether exposed or not. Kodak recommends that air travelers do not carry unexposed or unprocessed motion picture film. If it is unavoidable that film is carried, passengers should contact the airport in advance to request hand-inspection, allow additional check-in time for such procedures, and follow the advice given below.

CHECKED BAGGAGE

Any checked baggage may be subject to high-intensity x-ray scanning in a machine that is out of sight of travelers. Airline check-in agents rarely, if ever, warn travelers of this. Kodak is pressing for warning notices to be posted at check-in desks and for verbal warnings to be given to travelers. Never pack unprocessed film in baggage that will be checked.

HAND-CARRIED BAGGAGE

Carry-on baggage inspection conveyors using low intensity x-rays, used at security checkpoints in US airports, usually do not affect film. However, these machines may now be supplemented in some cases by high intensity machines that will fog all unprocessed film. Travelers should be wary of all scanners at foreign airports.

Travelers should politely insist on hand-inspection of their film. Carry a changing bag for use by the inspector. Demonstrate how it is used, with a can of fogged film as an example. However, there is no guarantee that your request will be granted by local inspectors, who may insist on x-ray inspection. Hand inspection may not be permitted in some airports outside the US.

AIR FREIGHT SERVICES

We understand that express air package shipping services such as Airborne, DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc that use their own aircraft, do not employ x-ray scanning of customers' packages on domestic routes. However, this should be verified when sending film. The same carriers may employ passenger airlines for international routes. Goods shipped as freight on passenger airlines are subject to high-intensity x-ray scanning. It is recommended that film shipped as unaccompanied freight is labeled "DO NOT X-RAY. IF X-RAY IS MANDATORY, DO NOT SHIP / DO NOT X-RAY / CONTACT SENDER URGENTLY: (details)".

LOCAL FILM PURCHASE AND PROCESSING

To minimize the risks of shipping by air, Kodak recommends that motion picture film should be purchased locally through the nearest Kodak sales office. After exposure, the film should be processed at a local motion-picture laboratory. After processing, the film may be safely transported by air.

2. US MAIL STERILIZATION
The United States Postal Service is installing new equipment to sterilize items sent through the mail. For security reasons, they are not disclosing whether this process will be limited to letters, or if parcels and other packages will also be included.

Until further tests are conducted, it would be wise to assume that the high energy beams used in the sterilization equipment will fog or damage all film - processed or unprocessed, exposed or unexposed, negative or print. In addition, photographic prints, slides, DVDs, picture CDs, CD-ROMs, video tapes and even the CCD sensors in video cameras and other products may be affected. Because those materials often contain valuable - and sometimes, irreplaceable, images - Kodak recommends that you err on the side of caution until more information is available.

All imaging materials should be sent via a courier or an express air shipping company that does not use the US postal system. Local laboratories may have additional information and/or offer alternative shipping arrangements.

3. EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Motion-picture film and other photographic products manufactured by Eastman Kodak Company are distributed by means that avoid any risk of damage by x-rays, high-energy electron beams or any other harmful radiations.

Kodak is working closely with industry organizations, the FAA and the US Postal Service to minimize the impact of necessary new security procedures on the shipping of its products. As new information becomes available it will be published and placed here

 

[Glendamax]

To those of you who travel with your lap tops, do you find that you do use them daily, or is it posiible to find a computer while in WDW?

 

[Stitchy_Baby_626]

We took our laptop to put photos on when we filled our camera up each day. We put it through the X Ray machine and it didn't damage it at all.

Donna
xxx

 

[aengus]

We took our laptop to put photos on when we filled our camera up each day. We put it through the X Ray machine and it didn't damage it at all.

Donna
xxx

This is exactly what we did. We used it everyday just to unload the photos from our memory sticks.

I have put my laptop through the x-ray machines for years now without incident.

 

[MissionMouse]

dtolle is actually referring to rolls of film, not digital media since they do not come in rolls (i.e. sticks, cards, etc).

"2 rolls of film went through and my pics were fine. But I've read here on these boards that film has been ruined.."

 

[dbenlee]

Digital media is not affected by airport x-ray machines. This also goes for laptops, mp3 players. cameras, etc. However, photographic film (non-digital media) can be damaged by the airport x-ray machines. As mentioned earlier, the effects of x-ray are cumulative so the more times photographic films goes through an x-ray machine the more it is fogged. The danger to film is really only to the faster films speeds, 800 and above. These speeds of photographic films are more sensitive to x-ray and become fogged quicker. If you read the signs at the airport, they recommed that you have all film of 800 speed and above visually inspected instead of x-rayed. This will keep the film from being fogged. With films that are lower than 800 speed, they can usually pass through the airport x-ray machine 1 or 2 times with little to no effect. Personally, I wouldn't want to take the chance and I would have ALL of my film, regardless of speed, inspected visually instead of run through the x-ray machine.