WARNING about film in luggage!

[JamesD]

For those of you still using old fashioned cameras and film that needs processing, a word of warning. Do not put your film, developed or not, into your checked luggage. Carry it with you onto the plane, or have it processed before you come home. Obviously they are using new, stronger x-ray machines at Orlando and other airports. The pictures from our last two trips in Oct. and Dec. were ruined because we left the film in the luggage. We were using both ASA 400 and 800 film, and the roll of film that was left in the camera and carried on board the plane was fine.
Well, that's another reason to ask for a digital camera for Christmas!

 

[Kallison]

I always carry my film on my person, I had them hand check it on our August trip. In October I just let it go through the scanner. Both time I was told that carry-on with your film was fine but leaving it in the checked in luggage would damage it.

 

[C.Ann]

I just got off the phone with SW airlines because I had to change our reservations and the woman I spoke to was nice enough to SPECIFICALLY mention keeping all film, negatives, & photos in our carry-ons..

And you're right - she said it's because the ex-ray machines for the luggage is MUCH stonger now..

 

[Jodi1980]

I bring self addressed envelopes to myself and mail back the film prior to our leaving WDW or I mail directly to a photo developing company.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by JamesD
For those of you still using old fashioned cameras and film that needs processing, a word of warning. Do not put your film, developed or not, into your checked luggage. Carry it with you onto the plane, or have it processed before you come home. Obviously they are using new, stronger x-ray machines at Orlando and other airports. The pictures from our last two trips in Oct. and Dec. were ruined because we left the film in the luggage. We were using both ASA 400 and 800 film, and the roll of film that was left in the camera and carried on board the plane was fine.
Well, that's another reason to ask for a digital camera for Christmas!

Processed pictures are fine. Exposed or unexposed film is not, the film speed does not matter, the xrays kill it.
this has been covered a number of times here, but, a fresh warning is always good. The TSA checks for security, they do not process film, so, have all film hand checked, they have to do it if requested and cannot refuse.

 

[Dznefreek]

vProcessed pictures are fine. Negatives, exposed or unexposed film is not, the film speed does not matter, the xrays kill it.

I thought it was okay for everything but 1000 speed. I run film through all of the time with no problem.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Dznefreek
I thought it was okay for everything but 1000 speed. I run film through all of the time with no problem.

You run film through checked baggage? No, no film is safe through the xray scanners for checked baggage.
The carry on scanners are cumulative and you have NO idea how often it was scanned before you got it. You have been lucky, now, be safe, have it hand checked. And.....NO film in checked luggage.


http://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/tib/tib5201.shtml#SEC43

 

[MickeyBabe]

Originally posted by JamesD
Well, that's another reason to ask for a digital camera for Christmas!

Thanks bunches James.... This never occured to me. I don't get to these planning boards on a regular basis and might have missed previous discussions.

And I have every intention of making sure Santa reads your post about that digital camera idea!

 

[DisFam95]

I carry all my film in an x-ray bag which shields it from the rays. I put it in my carry-on to avoid hand checks (and dirty looks for holding up the line!!) I won't put it in my checked bag because I'm not sure that it protects the higher intensity but it's great for your carry on. I got mine at Wolf camera.

 

[DisneyWorldHereICome]

I agree! Dont do it!!! I lost most of my pictures to this!! All of my photos were either milky white, or over exposed! Make sure you carry your film on, get a lead bag!!!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Two words....

DIGITAL CAMERA!!!!!

 

[Pamlur]

We just came back from a cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday; spent a few hours in the airport, waiting for our flight. One of those constantly-running announcements was about always putting film in your carry-on luggage instead of the checked luggage.

 

[DianaPrincessofWales]

I must have had total dumb luck on our trip last month. I was reminded to take my film out of checked luggage.........OK OK..........I wasn't expected to check my overnight bags but my husband said he didn't want to carry it. I had all intentions of grabbing my film out ahead of time.........then with all the waiting to check in and shlepping my family through the airport ............I forgot!! I was so sure none of my pictures would turn out..........they were fine and great pictures..........my husbands digital pictures were dark and not that great(which this is usually the other way around)...........go figure!!

 

[Geoff_M]

The scanners that toast film are CTX scanners that are made by InVision. They use the same basic technology as CAT scanners in hopsitals and look for the molecular signatures of known explosives. These units are not installed on very baggage line at every airport, so sometimes you get lucky with film in checked luggage.

http://www.invision-tech.com/products/ctx9000.htm

I carry all my film in an x-ray bag which shields it from the rays. I put it in my carry-on to avoid hand checks (and dirty looks for holding up the line!!)

Anybody else find it disturbing that the TSA agents don't blink when they see a "black hole" in the middle of scan of someone's carry-on luggage that they can't see through? If the TSA agent's doing their job, you should get a hand check when you use a lead shield bag!

 

[monarchsfan16]

i had one of those film bags in my carry on in 2002...it went through the scanners with no questions in manchester (nh) but in orlando it was another story...they searched the entire bag then had to check my shoes too because that's policy...they search your bag they check your shoes
the reccomendations are that the film shouldn't go through the carry on x-ray more than 5 times before being developed...i plan to let it go through twice at most...hoping to get the pics developed in florida...plus that gives us something to entertain us on the plane (typically 30-35 rolls among 5 people)