Air travel with 120 film

[keithwms]

One of these would be a very convenient way to walk through airport security with roll film. And we could have "POLICE" replaced by "APUG."

 

[copake_ham]

I agree, the inconsistency are very frustrating, but is it any wonder given the illogical notion that blowing up a plane or train etc; can achieve a political end.
....

Indeed. The inconsistency of what the security agents check for at a given time is intended to prevent the "baddies" from being able to come up with a way to beat the system. Because if/when the "baddies" do so - a lot of innocent people die.

 

[Ed Sukach]

Indeed. The inconsistency of what the security agents check for at a given time is intended to prevent the "baddies" from being able to come up with a way to beat the system. Because if/when the "baddies" do so - a lot of innocent people die.

Let me see if I understand this...

Inconsistencies, the apparent lack of uniform, well defined Security Practices and Procedures - wildly variable training of Security Agents ... is supposed to be a "Good Thing" in the "War Against Terrorists"???
Confusion at Airports is "desirable"???

I tried to be a "good do-bee", I downloaded a bunch of information from TSA, and tried to cooperate with them in every way ... and I find a game with constantly variable, and changing - without rhyme or reason - rules?

Are we to believe that our main line of defense is confusion?

- If it is, we are in SERIOUS trouble.

 

[Murray Kelly]

I had a lot of hassle at Charles de Gaul (CDG) where the x-ray people were close to nazi in attitude. When I returned a few minutes later they all covered their badges and names and refused to allow me to record their identities. Haven't processed the films (all slow) but await in trepidation.
I have had films ruined in the baggage x-ray machines so I carried everything in the statutory zip bags with me. Perhaps being anglophone (Australian) didn't help, but I tried to be as persusive as I could - to no avail.
Murray

 

[seawolf66]

Film at airports

Am flying out on friday so I went to the air port yesterday to check on things since its been a long time since I flew, So I took no chances and with to the airport at the United Counter where you get your tickects was a sign advise-ing about film being fogged by xray's so In a way I am glad I mail my film to myself where I will be on 5/18/07 then when coming back I will mail back to my self also :

Post office is simple way to do things concerning film:

Just my two cents worth:
Lauren

 

[Shmoo]

Well, after going through LAX, Chicago/O'Hare, Frankfurt (twice), Vienna, Salzburg and DC/Dulles as carry on, no problems with the negs. Of course that doesn't mean I didn't stick a finger in front of the lower lens of my TLR! Eeesh.

 

[jasonjoo]

I read through all 9 pages of this thread and it seems like people have mixed feelings about sending their film through the X-ray machines.

My question is, for those who traveled with ISO 800 film and had it passed through the X-ray machines, did you notice any fogging?

I'll be traveling to Brazil this summer with my church for a medical mission trip. I'm planning on bringing 2 or 3 Olympus XA cameras with ISO 100, 400, and 800 film. And if it matters at all, I'll most likely have my film processed at a lab.

Thanks,

Jason

 

[eddie gunks]

i had a roll of 800 asa go through the thailand x ray machine just 5 days ago. i developed it and had zero problems! (thank goodness. i knew the roll was inside my camera back, but i did not want to remove it because i was low on 800 film....so i gambled....and won this time!)

i try and get hand checks as much as possible. i have only been denied once recently! (that was by an asshole vietnamese!!!!)

eddie

 

[gr82bart]

Hey Eric? You leave the theatre yet? I've got lots of popcorn to share.

Regards, Art.

 

[Eric Mac]

Vegas and Back

Went to Vegas and back thru McCarren and O'Hare and didn't have any problems with fog on my 4x5 Forte'. The negatives I shot came out like crap though, but an unexposed sheet was the same as a test sheet I have from a year ago. The TSA guy recognised the film holders, but implied that I should put the spot meter in checked luggage as they get a little nervous by the shape. The biggest hassle was made my homemade headphone amp in an Altoids canister for my Ipod. The nine volt battery and a couple wires sticking out gave them the willies.

Eric

 

[eddym]

The TSA guy recognised the film holders, but implied that I should put the spot meter in checked luggage as they get a little nervous by the shape.

Yeah, they always have a good hard look at my spotmeter too, but no way am I going to put it in checked luggage!
I figure if they challenge me about it, I will point it at my head, pull the "trigger" and say "bang!"
True story: In 1980, flying out of the Frankfurt airport, a security guy was trying to tell me something about my Technika 70 that I just could not understand. Finally my friend said, "He wants you to take a picture with it."
"Of what?" I replied.
Yeah, I was a little dense back then...
I finally clicked the shutter, and he waved me through.

 

[zenrhino]

Went to Vegas and back thru McCarren and O'Hare and didn't have any problems with fog on my 4x5 Forte'. The negatives I shot came out like crap though, but an unexposed sheet was the same as a test sheet I have from a year ago. The TSA guy recognised the film holders, but implied that I should put the spot meter in checked luggage as they get a little nervous by the shape. The biggest hassle was made my homemade headphone amp in an Altoids canister for my Ipod. The nine volt battery and a couple wires sticking out gave them the willies.

Eric

Should have seen them jump at Branson-Springfield when I pulled my Pocket Wizards out.

 

[Drew B.]

Tell them you have film in your carry on bag and would they hand check it. They always have for me.

 

[keithwms]

This is very easy, as has been stated by many. Hand carry your film with you, in a clear plastic bag. In the best case TSA will wave you right through, in the worst they'll unpack the bag and look at each roll, perhaps unpacking it from the individual plastic wrappers. No big deal.

Your right to a hand inspection is clearly stated on the TSA site. If given any objection, you can say:

-the film is high speed, or
-the film has already gone through an inspection, or
-the film is already been exposed (and you can state whatever ISO you like).

Even if it is low speed film, you can say it is to be push processed and they will then be obligated to hand inspect it. That goes for velvia 50, even!

I asked and they fully expect to hand-check all 4x5 and larger sheet material, as well as polaroid, quickload etc.

Bottom line, TSA is not looking for trouble or trying to inconvenience you. It's the one passenger who makes a mountain out of a molehill who makes things uncomfortable for all.

 

[roteague]

Hey Eric? You leave the theatre yet? I've got lots of popcorn to share.

Regards, Art.

Just like a circus....

 

[jstraw]

I took all of my FP4+ and HP5+ out of their boxes and put the foil wrapped rolls into a ziplock bag and offered it up for hand inspection three times on my recent round trip to Cabo San Lucas. On the return trip, it contained a mix of still wrapped, unexposed rolls and exposed rolls.

In Kansas City, for the only outbound hand inspection, the bag was held up and squished around so the agent could see what all was in it and that was it.

The outbound from Mexico, the same thing occured.

In Dallas, on the return trip we had to clear customs and security again. It took about five minutes to find someone trained or authorized or something to do a hand inspection.

The gentleman that did my hand inspection had me accompany him to the residue sniffing machine. He opened the bag and poured all of the rolls on the table. He loaded a fresh swab into his wand and ran it over the first roll of film. Removed the swab from the wand and placed it into the machine, punched the button, waited for the approving beep then placed the inspected roll of film back into the ziplock bag and reached for another roll of film.

He repeated the process as undertaken for the first roll 24 more times (Did I mention that we had a somewhat tight connection between planes?).

I merely smiled and thanked him after the 13-minute inspection was complete.

Does it need to be pointed out that any residue on any of the contents of the bag would have been present on all of the contents of the bag and that 25 swabs can't be logically explained or justified?

I believe that I was the recipient of some kind of snarky, aversion therapy designed to demonstrate the high cost I should be prepared to pay for disrupting their rhythm.

 

[Photo Engineer]

I recently had a friend miss a flight from Europe due to the fact that a dog 'thought' he smelled something in his luggage.

Of course there was nothing to be found, but my friend had to undergo a humiliating search that cost him a flight and an extra day in Europe with no recourse and no apologies, just his own personal expenses that he alone had to pay.

PE

 

[Ian Grant]

Since this thread started two of my boxes of 5x4 film have been through 6 scans at various airports with no problems. (I should add they've probably been through another 4 times prior to this). As written elsewhere modern scanners for hand luggage pose no risks to photographic film even high speed versions.

Perhaps you haven't noticed the operators don't have dose meters, and are often young women, there is no dangerous radiation which can affect them or film.

There's a lot of unnecessary scare mongering, but I would add that the airports I pass through do have the latest modern. In 3rds world airports like Philadelphia, I'd be far more cautious (To be fair the airport was being modernised but the security equipment was antique, and I'd guess now replaced).

What we are forgetting is the manufacturers, Kodak, Ilford & Fuji work very closely with airport authorities to ensure our films are safe.

Ian

 

[Tamas]

I use those film x-ray shield pouches... so far the airports security didn't give me hard time they're always do hand inspection since they cannot tell what is in the x-ray shield

 

[kaygee]

I've only gone through Canadian check points with film but I've never had a problem. I just explain that it's film and the xray will expose it. Take off the metal wrapper, they have a little look, and then I'm on my way. Done this several times and have never had a problem. I usually only bring a few rolls with me in my carry on baggage, then I find stores wherever I'm going that'll carry 120 so I can pick some more up.

 

[Monophoto]

There's a lot of unnecessary scare mongering, but I would add that the airports I pass through do have the latest modern. In 3rds world airports like Philadelphia, I'd be far more cautious (To be fair the airport was being modernised but the security equipment was antique, and I'd guess now replaced).

The Philadelphia Airport has been continuously under construction for at least the last 38 years.

 

[sly]

security

I travelled to England and Germany last fall. I took 20 rolls of 120 Rollei Infrared film with me. I put them in one of those lead-lined bags in my carry-on. I was expecting to be asked about the film. Nobdy peeped. At one airport (don't remember which one) I was pulled over and my bag was gingerly handed to me and I was asked to open the side pocket and remove the contents. What were they concerned about? It was a 1 lb chocolate bar.
The infrared film came through the trip just fine and the chocolate is long gone. (I have guests arriving from Germany next week. Hopefully they have paid attention to my pleadings for chocolate
Sly

 

[Ian Grant]

The Philadelphia Airport has been continuously under construction for at least the last 38 years.

As maybe, but it was the most backward airport I've been through, not updated since we Brits left the colonies On the other hand it did have a bar serving real ales from a micro brewery !!!!!!!! Very necessary on a 5 hour stop over.

Ian

 

[jstraw]

I've only gone through Canadian check points with film but I've never had a problem. I just explain that it's film and the xray will expose it. Take off the metal wrapper, they have a little look, and then I'm on my way. Done this several times and have never had a problem. I usually only bring a few rolls with me in my carry on baggage, then I find stores wherever I'm going that'll carry 120 so I can pick some more up.

I'm not taking off the wrappers until the film is loaded into the camera. It's a vapor barrier.

 

[eddym]

The gentleman that did my hand inspection had me accompany him to the residue sniffing machine. He opened the bag and poured all of the rolls on the table. He loaded a fresh swab into his wand and ran it over the first roll of film. Removed the swab from the wand and placed it into the machine, punched the button, waited for the approving beep then placed the inspected roll of film back into the ziplock bag and reached for another roll of film.

He repeated the process as undertaken for the first roll 24 more times (Did I mention that we had a somewhat tight connection between planes?).

I got the identical treatment last year in the Raleigh-Durham airport. I had some unexposed rolls, and he told me, "You understand I have to open these." I said, "Fine," and he proceeded to open each factory-sealed foil pouch, swab the roll, and put it in the sniffer. I guess he thought Ilford might have packed C4 in each one instead of HP5+!
In the San Juan airport, I have never had a problem.