Question about film at the airport.

[smilie]

I was planning on taking disposable cameras with us on our trip. Should I carry them on or check them? I don't want the film to be ruined so I want to make sure I put them in the right bag.

 

[Demon Llama]

Carry on. If the film goes through those X-Ray machines, it will be ruined. I know from experience!!!

 

[smilie]

Thanks so much.

 

[jann1033]

Thanks so much.

and i think i would take it out if you have a security check first thing...daughters Hawaii pic were all ruined due to xray exposure from the security walk thru and it was in her carry on..she asked, they said it would be fine but it wasn't

 

[WillCAD]

NEVER pack film or disposable cameras in your checked bags!

Put them in your carry-on and ask for them to be hand-inspected.

I have a web page with everything you ever wanted to know about flying with film on my web site:
http://willcad.org/image_film_tips.html
Skim through that page carefully for advice on exactly how to get undeveloped film and disposable cameras through the airport safely.

 

[WDWorBUST]

I have another film question....does Fedex X-ray packages?? I'm thinking of sending down a package with diapers, etc and thought that would be a great way to avoid the "hand checking" hassle. Even when I ask politely I always get attitude from the security people. Then I could mail it to snapfish or the like from Disney and not have to worry about it at all this trip.

Thanks!
Amanda

 

[CarolA]

FedEx has the right to xray. No telling if they will, I wouldn't risk it.

I have rarely had my film hand checked and never had anything ruined. I have had film ruined but it is normally due to something else. (ie. leaking camera etc) If you have low speed film and you think it was ruined by the scanner I would suggest you also check the camera. I figured out on the roll that was ruined at home that the camera was to blame (the back was no longer sealing well letting light in... could be because I drop it a lot!)

 

[goofie4goofy]

Carry on bags are X-rayed. They are stronger than they used to be, you can no longer have items hand checked...at least not at JFK..everything must be x-rayed.

The only thing you can do is to get a lead lined film bag. I use this all the time and it is re-useable. It will protect all your film and large enough to hold disposable cameras. This way there is no worry, and your pics will be 100% protected. You can get one in any camera store.

 

[LadyDulcinea1]

Definitely carry-on. DBf had all his pictures from San Francisco ruined due to the X-ray machine. Just tell security that you want them hand inspected, ususally putting them all in a clear ziplock bag is the best idea. If they give you a hard time, don't listen to them, they can't make you put your film through the machine, no matter how safe they insist it is. You shouldn't have a problem though

 

[Harambe]

Disposables at Disney (39 exposures) are $20.00!!! Buy at Target or Walmart and ask the ailine security people to hand check them.

And just as a note - check your disposables for a new size button. You can mark off 4x6, 4x7, or panoramic (sp?). I didn't know about it, and took about 1/2 a roll as panoramic. I hate those long pictures! LOL!

 

[henrylovespooh]

I have never had a roll of film ruined in the last four years I have been fliying to WDW and other places, and I have either put my film in checked bags or on my carry on bags that went through security. I taken a lot of pictures, so I would assume in the last four years at least 60 rolls of film have gone through airport security with no problems. I have been told by photo professionals and security people that 800 speed and higher film is most at risk, so I use 400 speed film with no problem.

I have also shipped a box to my room a few times with film in it via UPS, and those rolls were also fine. I don't know if they x-ray packages in the regular mail.

One other thought if you're concerned about ruined film - find a mail-based development company like Snapfish and order self-mailers to take with you on the trip. Then mail them out before you leave WDW. The pictures will be sent to your home and you will get them online as well so you can share with friends and family.

 

[littlelaura]

the x-ray machines state that camera film will be fine and that the x-ray will not damage camera film. i have lost a couple of films this way though. i would suggest buying it out there, and have it developed before you leave, that way you won't risk your pictures if thay insist on x-raying the camera

 

[rflorek]

From the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) website:

Transporting Film

WARNING: Equipment used for screening checked baggage will damage your undeveloped film.

Traveling with Film

Never place undeveloped film in your checked baggage.
Place film in your carry-on baggage* or request a hand inspection.

* Carry-on screening equipment might also damage certain film if the film passes through more than 5 times.

None of the screening equipment - neither the machines used for checked baggage nor those used for carry-on baggage - will affect digital camera images or film that has already been processed, slides, videos, photo compact discs, or picture discs.

General use film **

You should remove all film from your checked baggage and place it in your carry-on baggage. The X-ray machine that screens your carry-on baggage at the passenger security checkpoint will not affect undeveloped film under ASA/ISO 800.

If the same roll of film is exposed to X-ray inspections more than 5 times before it is developed, however, damage may occur. Protect your film by requesting a hand-inspection for your film if it has already passed through the carry-on baggage screening equipment (X-ray) more than 5 times.

Specialty film **

Specialty film is defined as film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher and typically used by professionals.

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 with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher
Highly sensitive X-ray or scientific films
Film of any speed which is subjected to X-ray surveillance more than 5 times (the effect of X-ray screening is cumulative)
Film that is or will be underexposed
Film that you intend to 'push process'
Sheet film
Large format film
Medical film
Scientific film
Motion picture film
Professional grade film

Other Tips and Precautions:

If you plan to request a hand inspection of your film, you should consider carrying your film in clear canisters, or taking the film out of solid colored canisters and putting it into clear plastic bags, to expedite the screening process.
If you are going to be traveling through multiple X-ray examinations with the same rolls of undeveloped film, you may want to request a hand-inspection of your film. However, non-U.S. airports may not honor this request.
If you plan to hand-carry undeveloped film on an airplane at an international airport, contact the airport security office at that airport to request a manual inspection.
Consider having your exposed film processed locally before passing through airport security on your return trip.
We recommend that you do not place your film in lead-lined bags since the lead bag will have to be hand-inspected. If you have concerns about the impact of the X-ray machine on your undeveloped film, you can request a hand inspection.
You may still consider bringing a lead-lined bag if you are traveling through airports in other countries as their policies may vary. Check with your airline or travel agent for more information on foreign airports.