Advice on US Air Travel rules

Shangheye · Jul 9, 2008

I'm off to the States on the 19th of July and am unsure of any security regulations I need to comply with when carrying on my camers and film (Will have the Toyo and theBronica with associated lenses, film and loaded holders). My experience has been that I have not suffered any fogging resulting from having the film x-rayed, and expect that that will also be true in the US (or is the level of X-ray power higher?). So I am not intending to ask for hand inspection unless the overwhelming advice is for it.

I also read somewhere there are restrictions on carrying of Batteries (not sure if that applied to hold or carryon). Is that correct?

Finally, I will be carrying Sodium Thiosulphate in the hold bag, to clear my P55 negs....am I asking for trouble?

Any advice will be very much appreciated.

Rgds, Kal

ozphoto · Jul 9, 2008

Have taken film through US hand luggage xray's on numerous occasions and have seen no adverse effects on my respooled B/W film or Velvia 50. At one stage I was being asked to xray a second time , but I've since learned that if I place my Lowepro magnum on its back rather than its bottom the request to scan a second time has diminished significantly. Seems they can't make out some of the lenses when it's upright, but can deduce what they are if on the side?!?

Have been reprimanded only once with regard to loose batteries, and that was when they were in a plastic bag (think it was in Sydney). I carry several boxes in hold luggage, and the only problem with this is sometimes they split open. Since solved this by taping the boxes shut with good quality packing tape.

Just remember in the US bags are often opened for inspection, so be prepared for any non-issue TSA locks to be broken so they can gain access. They put a note to inform you they have inspected, along with any locks or seals they had to break. TSA locks on the other hand, allow them access without destroying the lock, and it goes from green to red on the indicator to notify you the bag has been opened.

- Nanette

David A. Goldfarb · Jul 9, 2008

I don't have any problem putting my film through the carry-on X-ray. Keep it in a separate bag from your camera (or in a bag that you can pull out of your camera case), so that if they decide to run the camera bag through the machine twice, the film won't get a double dose, and if they decide to hand inspect the camera bag, they won't accidentally open any film.

I haven't tried checking powdered chemicals. Normally Type 55 negs are cleared with sodium sulfite. They don't need to be fixed in sodium thiosulfate. If you are traveling to a major city, you can usually buy it in one of the larger photo shops (if they don't have straight sulfite, look for Permawash or Kodak Hypo Clearing Agent, which are mostly sulfite). I've also cleared Type 55 in salt water (about half a teaspoon in a 5x7" tray) and it seems to work fairly well. The main purpose of the sulfite is to prevent excessive emulsion swelling, which could happen in plain water.

You can also buy large and medium format film locally in major cities, except for Type 55, if you want to save a dose of X-rays.

bdial · Jul 9, 2008

Here's their travel info web site Dead Link Removed
As far as I know, any restrictions on batteries are relative to the exploding laptop battery problem, I've not had any problem with batteries like AA's in checked luggage. I would avoid traveling with an anonymous bag of white powder, but if it isn't very large it likely wouldn't be a problem in the x-ray screening. For customs, they'll have your bag open anyway and you'll be present to explain. But I'd seriously consider obtaining the sulfite here.
I often carry thick computer manuals in checked baggage, hence, I often have the little notes from the TSA that they opened the bag. I generally don't lock the checked bag, but I don't put very valuable things in it either.

David A. Goldfarb · Jul 9, 2008

Definitely don't put valuables in your checked bag. Airport pilferage in the baggage handling area is a serious issue. I've experienced it twice.

Don12x20 · Jul 9, 2008

There are 2008 rules for Lithium batteries - this hits laptop users as well as digital camera users.
you cannot place them in checked luggage as spares but if they are installed in a device, you can place the device in checked luggage (to the delight of airport baggage handlers - there is nothing worse that having to buy a battery for that laptop or camera you've lifted for free ;-)
there are limits to the total amount (total 25 grams content, no battery bigger than 8 grams)
they must be packed
Each spare battery must be in a separate plastic bag

Dead Link Removed

But no limits on alkaline batteries.

Thiosulfate in the baggage hold - should be no problem. Double bag and squeeze all the air out.

Film - never check. Dosage is too high. Carry on - and request hand check. Tell them its very high speed film.

keithwms · Jul 9, 2008

I think I'd be inclined to have the formulary or somebody ship the clearing mix to you in the States. If perchance somebody regards it as suspicious looking then your bag may be delayed and that's not fun.

I carry film with me onboard, and even if it is low speed, I tell them it will be push processed to some ungodly speed, what can they say? Thus it must be hand checked and cannot be scanned. normally they will just handle them, inspect the labels, run the sniffer over it, and that's it. I always take a few loose sheets to show what's in the box. Do arrive early at the airport and be patient and courteous and all will be fine.

I do have higher-speed roll films sent from b&h to my destination. I don't know if it's really worth it but it makes me feel better.

David, this luggage pilferage that you experienced, was it post 911? Since 911 I haven't seen any problems, and I just assumed that the handling security has been improved. I get nice little TSA greeting cards in my luggage from time to time but that's it. If you are still experiencing pilferage then please report it!

David A. Goldfarb · Jul 9, 2008

I've experienced it pre-9/11 (laptop stolen at LaGuardia) and post-9/11 (bag of loose change at Las Vegas airport--not much, but still theft), and there have been reports that it continues, and I do report it when it happens. The airlines usually won't take responsibility for pilferage except for clothing up to a certain limit, and in my experience, there wasn't much in the way of investigation of the cases I've reported, though eventually a pilferage ring was broken up at LaGuardia a few years later. If handlers can steal something from checked baggage, they can sneak something into checked baggage. The TSA puts on a good show for the passengers, but I don't feel particularly safer with all the passenger screening.

ny_photog · Jul 10, 2008

I'm not sure where you are originating from.

For US domestic air travel, I regularly request and receive hand inspection of 35mm film rolls and just stuff 120/220's into my pants pockets (no metal in those babies).

But your bigger stuff is not my expertise.

The TSA claims that you are "safe" under 800 ISO with carry-on x-rays so I suggest you go that way. My understanding is that the checked bag x-rays are much stronger.

But generally, USA security regs are no more rigorous than EU or elsewhere. So if your film can survive coming through security from where you start - it won't be treated any more for the worse here.

Shangheye · Jul 12, 2008

Thanks for the advice all. One last thing, how strict are the US airlines about the "carry-on" baggage size. I am more concerned about weight than size, I guess, but my backpack when full can seem a tad bigger than a normal carry-on. Rgds, K

ozphoto · Jul 12, 2008

I carry both a backpack with my computer and a Lowepro Magnun bag and so far, haven't had any problems, once on the plane they do ask for the smaller of the two (for everybody) to be placed under your seat if you have two items. Of course they could change their minds at the drop of a hat!

- N

Andy K · Jul 12, 2008

David, it appears that quite a lot of laptops are 'lost' in US airports each year: http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2008/07/hundreds_of_tho.html

bdial · Jul 12, 2008

For carry-on size they've not been very strict in my experience. Near the ticket counters they all have signs and gadgetry that let you test the size of your carry-on, and the web sites have information on dimensions.

Note that if any of your flights are on "regional" aircraft, the overhead bins these planes are much smaller, and they may require you to gate check your bag, which means you turn it over to the baggage people immediately before boarding and retrieve it as you leave the plane. They sometimes handle that stuff a bit more gently than the regular checked bags, but not by very much.
Even on the large planes, if your bag doesn't fit in the overhead or under your seat, they will gate check it. If your bag is on the large size, you probably want to board as soon as you can to ensure you'll have space in the overhead.

Regarding the weight, as a practical consideration, (and a courtesy to fellow passengers), you should not have the bag so heavy that you cannot lift it over your head and slide it a onto a shelf a quarter meter or so in front of you.
There are total weight limits for the bins, but I've never seen any attempt by the crew to enforce those limits, nor are they in any position to do so anyway.

Lopaka · Jul 12, 2008

Don12x20 said:
There are 2008 rules for Lithium batteries - this hits laptop users as well as digital camera users.
you cannot place them in checked luggage as spares but if they are installed in a device, you can place the device in checked luggage (to the delight of airport baggage handlers - there is nothing worse that having to buy a battery for that laptop or camera you've lifted for free ;-)
there are limits to the total amount (total 25 grams content, no battery bigger than 8 grams)
they must be packed
Each spare battery must be in a separate plastic bag

Dead Link Removed

But no limits on alkaline batteries.

Thiosulfate in the baggage hold - should be no problem. Double bag and squeeze all the air out.

Film - never check. Dosage is too high. Carry on - and request hand check. Tell them its very high speed film.

OK, so how do you determine content? The lithium battery in my Canon EOS (film camera!) weighs 35 grams.

Bob

Advice on US Air Travel rules

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Don12x20

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ny_photog

Shangheye

ozphoto

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bdial

Lopaka

Advice on US Air Travel rules

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