Lead Bag for Film?

[shatzjsl]

A friend of mine who travels by plane quite a bit said that she uses a lead bag for her film and has no problems with either carry on or regular luggage scanners. Has anyone ever used one and had any problems?

 

[CarolA]

I have a friend who used one. She wondered why the screeners did NOT ask her what was in the big black void in her carry on. So she asked. They told her about 20 rolls of film were in her luggage.

Basically some of those "lead" bags are worthless.

I just carry my film on and have never had a problem.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Folks,

Apparently the scanner pose little or no danger to the majority of film speeds used by the average photographer. In going through TSA inspection at New Orleans airport, I requested a hand inspection of the film I was carrying home. It was inferred that they would only do so if the film were ISO 800 or above -- it was and so they did. The film canisters were wiped with an explosives detecting wipe. I have also used a super thick lead bag -- and it used to attract a lot of attention when going through the scanner. All they saw was the big black void.

 

[CarolA]

Neil,
I agree with you that in most cases it is not necessary to worry.

As for the lead bag, I guess I did not make my point well. A lot of shops are selling things like this now since 9/11. If you are going to buy one, spend some money and get a good one. The one my friend had was very inexpensive from a mall camera shop and seemed to not really have much lead!

For most casual photographers, the lead bag could cost more then the camera!

I have moved to digital. While I love film several hundred dollars in development costs after my trip to Istanbul convinced me that before I went to Europe again it was time to move!

 

[Lady Cluck]

A recent article in a photography magazine pointed out that the bags are probably not worthwhile. The screener just increases the output on the machine until it can see through the bag. If they really could not see through the lead lining, what is to prevent a bad guy from putting a gun or knife in them?

The consensus among serious photographers is to remove your film from it's packaging, and place the rolls in a see through plastic bag. You can ask for hand inspection if you are concerned. Any film speeds above 800 probably need to be hand inspected.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by RoyalCanadian
Folks,

Apparently the scanner pose little or no danger to the majority of film speeds used by the average photographer. In going through TSA inspection at New Orleans airport, I requested a hand inspection of the film I was carrying home. It was inferred that they would only do so if the film were ISO 800 or above -- it was and so they did. The film canisters were wiped with an explosives detecting wipe. I have also used a super thick lead bag -- and it used to attract a lot of attention when going through the scanner. All they saw was the big black void.

The TSA does not process film, does not know about film and only want to make the line move forward (not that I blame them). I used to process film, know film, so, I am advising anyone that uses film to: a. insist they hand inspect it, they cannot refuse this request. b. only put it in your carry on. c. lead bags are useless for film, they will increase the intensity of the scanner until they can see through it. Waste of time. d. NEVER PUT FILM IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE. xrays destroy film.
e. the scanners they use for carryons is cumulative for film, you have no idea how many times it has been scanned before you bought it. Have it hand checked.

 

[mobetsy]

This past week, I followed the advice I'd seen here and put my film in a large clear ziploc, and my several disposable cameras in another. When I got to the carry-on check, I handed the two bags to the person there and asked to have it hand checked. At Burbank Airport, there was no problem; the person was friendly and quick in doing it; I think she just checked a few of the rolls randomly. MCO was another matter altogether; the person was both rude and clearly lazy. First he told me that unless I had 800+ film, I didn't need to worry. I told him that my film had already been through several scanners and I didn't want to take a chance. He said that wouldn't matter and I should put it through. I told him again, politely but clearly, that I would like it hand-checked. He made a face and asked if I had a lot of extra time. I told him I was not concerned; I wanted it hand-checked. He told me again that I shouldn't be so worried (yeah, easy for him to say when it isn't his vacation memories!) and should just put it through. I was starting to look for a supervisor and told him once again that I wanted him to hand check it. He sighed, said he hoped I had a lot of time because it would take quite a while...and went to do it about as slowly as was possible Ironically, if he'd simply done it efficiently at my first request, the whole process could've been done in the same amount of time he spent arguing with me. From his posture, tone of voice, and attitude, it was clear to me and dh that he simply didn't want to be bothered. I wish I had noted his name and badge number, because I would write a letter of complaint; unfortunately, in my irritation I didn't think of that.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mobetsy
This past week, I followed the advice I'd seen here and put my film in a large clear ziploc, and my several disposable cameras in another. When I got to the carry-on check, I handed the two bags to the person there and asked to have it hand checked. At Burbank Airport, there was no problem; the person was friendly and quick in doing it; I think she just checked a few of the rolls randomly. MCO was another matter altogether; the person was both rude and clearly lazy. First he told me that unless I had 800+ film, I didn't need to worry. I told him that my film had already been through several scanners and I didn't want to take a chance. He said that wouldn't matter and I should put it through. I told him again, politely but clearly, that I would like it hand-checked. He made a face and asked if I had a lot of extra time. I told him I was not concerned; I wanted it hand-checked. He told me again that I shouldn't be so worried (yeah, easy for him to say when it isn't his vacation memories!) and should just put it through. I was starting to look for a supervisor and told him once again that I wanted him to hand check it. He sighed, said he hoped I had a lot of time because it would take quite a while...and went to do it about as slowly as was possible Ironically, if he'd simply done it efficiently at my first request, the whole process could've been done in the same amount of time he spent arguing with me. From his posture, tone of voice, and attitude, it was clear to me and dh that he simply didn't want to be bothered. I wish I had noted his name and badge number, because I would write a letter of complaint; unfortunately, in my irritation I didn't think of that.

I am glad you stood firm on this. Next time, bring a print out of the regs. from the TSA site and show it to whoever may give you a hard time. I hope your pics came out well.

 

[CarolA]

I am going to suggest that you be sure you have LOTS of time prior to pulling out your print out of the TSA Regs.

In any job with authority you get those who should NOT have gotten any authority. However, they do have the ability to make your life miserable.

If the TSA agent decides he/she does NOT like you that is all it takes. Every bit of your carry on will be opened and dumped out for examination. You will be wanded. All family members traveling with you can be subject to this. If worse comes to worse, they can delay you from getting on the plane. Now they are wrong, but you are the one stuck and trying to fight the goverment will take longer then you have between airport arrival and your plane departure. I have watched them do it! I had a co-worker who got "rightous" with the TSA. Her snide comment was "My tax dollars at work!" She missed the plane. She complained. TSA response.... her attitude could appear to be threatening to traveler safety. I think she got what she deserved, she is a bit of an A@@, but....

Make your stand carefully.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by CarolA
I am going to suggest that you be sure you have LOTS of time prior to pulling out your print out of the TSA Regs.

In any job with authority you get those who should NOT have gotten any authority. However, they do have the ability to make your life miserable.

If the TSA agent decides he/she does NOT like you that is all it takes. Every bit of your carry on will be opened and dumped out for examination. You will be wanded. All family members traveling with you can be subject to this. If worse comes to worse, they can delay you from getting on the plane. Now they are wrong, but you are the one stuck and trying to fight the goverment will take longer then you have between airport arrival and your plane departure. I have watched them do it! I had a co-worker who got "rightous" with the TSA. Her snide comment was "My tax dollars at work!" She missed the plane. She complained. TSA response.... her attitude could appear to be threatening to traveler safety. I think she got what she deserved, she is a bit of an A@@, but....

Make your stand carefully.

I completely agree. Pick your battles. But, showing them and saying something like " I was under the impression this could be done, could you please do this" should be all you have to say.
If said in a nice tone without "attitude" should, and I do say should with caution, be enough. I always smile at the TSA and say "thank you for protecting us" and I usually get an very surprised and pleased, "you are welcome".

 

[seashoreCM]

My current opinion on the lead film bag...

Won't work for checked baggage, never leave film in checked baggage, if baggage needs to be gate checked, remove film immediately.

OK to use it in carry on baggage.
(1) The agent operating the X-ray machine might decide to let it go right on through.
(2) The X-ray machine at the carry on and security checkpoint is not all that strong.
(3) At worst and less than 100% of the time you will have to open it up but the result is no worse than not using the bag.

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

Even putting the film inits transparent plastic bag in a separate bowl through the X-ray is better than buried in your suitecase. This way th agent is less likely to let it sit under the X=rays for several minutes while he scratches his head and calls over colleagues to point at the screen and find out what is what.