AIRPORT SECURITY NOTICE : FILM

mark · Aug 11, 2006

Sean said:
We might need to create a film network allowing us to all ship our film to an apug contact at a specific destination which we can pick up on arrival? For example if you are coming to NZ to shoot 8x10 you won't find much 8x10 film here so send it to me and pick it up when you arrive.

APUG film Cartel Just hope the mule(drug courier term not calling anyone a jackass) you send it to isn't into testing the merchandise.

GraemeMitchell · Aug 11, 2006

I second fed-ex or UPS, for equip and film.

I do it all the time when I fly and it makes it so much more relaxing not to hassle with gear/film the day of flying.

Leon · Aug 11, 2006

Andy K said:
Good for you Simon! We live in one of the most beautiful countries, and yet millions don't realise that and think they MUST travel abroad for a holiday. Personally I have always preferred holidaying within the UK, even though I have travelled most of Europe, Australia, the US and Malaysia.

I'm with you there Andy - I havent left these shores for about 10 years, yet there are still at least 30 more locations I NEED to visit here before I consider holidaying outside of Britain and Eire.

Helen B · Aug 11, 2006

Finding solutions for shipping film in the event of a ban on hand luggage is one thing, but what about the camera gear? How many of you will be happy to trust that to checked luggage?

When travelling in the US I try to avoid having any checked baggage except for gate-checked baggage (which goes through the film-safe carry-on scanner, and you can lock it). When I do check baggage it usually arrives at the destination still unlocked. Unlike in the UK, in the US you have to hand your checked baggage unlocked to the TSA for scanning. Theft is not uncommon.

Best,
Helen

GraemeMitchell · Aug 11, 2006

Helen B said:
Unlike in the UK, in the US you have to hand your checked baggage unlocked to the TSA for scanning. Theft is not uncommon.

I had a Bronica back literally pried into by JFK security. Like they took a screw driver, wedged it in, and pried the back open. Totally destroyed, by someone rather strong and determined.

Ship everything. It's easier on the nerves.

roteague · Aug 11, 2006

Helen B said:
Unlike in the UK, in the US you have to hand your checked baggage unlocked to the TSA for scanning. Theft is not uncommon.

Best,
Helen

Actually, you can lock your luggage, as long as you have a TSA approved lock.

Helen B · Aug 11, 2006

"Ship everything. It's easier on the nerves."

I've just done a quick online FedEx quote. Sending the contents of the small camera bag I would carry for documentary work to and from the UK would cost $600 for three-day delivery. Then there are the customs hassles. Besides, I find it easier on the nerves to keep my gear in sight at all times.

"Actually, you can lock your luggage, as long as you have a TSA approved lock."
Thanks, I didn't know about those. I wonder how many master keys there are.

Best,
Helen

Gabe Racz · Aug 11, 2006

Helen B said:
"Ship everything. It's easier on the nerves."

I've just done a quick online FedEx quote. Sending the contents of the small camera bag I would carry for documentary work to and from the UK would cost $600 for three-day delivery. Then there are the customs hassles. Besides, I find it easier on the nerves to keep my gear in sight at all times.

Best,
Helen

I was just going to post that I checked into FedEx, too, $100 for only 5 pounds of stuff from the US to the UK. Using the mail is cheaper, $33 if you can send it 10 days ahead so it arrives on time. I think the best option is to start buying film at the destination. It's getting everything processed before returning home that's the problem, though.

coriana6jp · Aug 11, 2006

roteague said:
Actually, you can lock your luggage, as long as you have a TSA approved lock.

Sadly this is not much help. There have been numerous cases reported where the locks where removed and not returned, not relocked and even left inside the suitcase.

Everytime I fly back to the US, my opinion of the TSA gets lower, and lower and lower.

Gary

Sportera · Aug 11, 2006

Just got off the phone with Southwest. I was told that film is not an issue and can be carried on as usual. They will searh your carry on bags but as long as there are no liquids you should be fine.

I am going to New Mexico next month, maybe they will relax or get it together by then.

Helen B · Aug 11, 2006

Sam,

I thought that this thread was only about what we would/could do in the event of a complete ban on carry-on items except for essential items needed during the flight. Currently this only applies to flights beginning in the UK and BA flights beginning in the USA.

Best,
Helen

StephenS · Aug 11, 2006

DO NOT SEND VIA REGULAR (OR AIR) MAIL!!!! That can be put on passenger jets and is x-rayed like other check in baggage.

Fed Ex uses their own aircraft which don't carry people, so nobody cares about doing something horrible to them. I'm not sure if UPS also uses regular passenger flights in addition to its own aircraft, so be careful with that one.

If it costs $100 to ship 5 lbs. of film, that's very worth it considering the alternative. Take it out of its box and plastic film canister and put it in zip loc bags to save weight.

No need to ship gear. You will soon be able to carry-on normal items and cameras can go with you.

Normally carry-on is fine for film, but they are using the CAT scanners in some places for carry-on these days - yet another worry. And trust me, they will destroy your film!

roteague · Aug 11, 2006

Helen B said:
""Actually, you can lock your luggage, as long as you have a TSA approved lock."
Thanks, I didn't know about those. I wonder how many master keys there are.

Unfortunately, I suspect it won't take long for the wrong people to get a copy of the master keys (if they haven't done so already). But, I guess these are better than nothing.

roteague · Aug 11, 2006

StephenS said:
DO NOT SEND VIA REGULAR (OR AIR) MAIL!!!! That can be put on passenger jets and is x-rayed like other check in baggage.

Not necessarily. FedEx provides services to the USPS for Priority and Express mail shipments - I can't speak to Air Mail since I don't use it. However, I use USPS Priority when purchasing film from the mainland, and when shipping it to California for processing. I've never had any problems.

WarEaglemtn · Aug 11, 2006

Yep, buy your film where you are going. Plenty of 7x17, 4x10 and 5x7 FP4+ in local stores across the world. Even more Fuji Velvia in 5x7 in the corner drugstores and WalMart.

Harry Lime · Aug 11, 2006

Guess I'll have to breakdown and spring for that private Lear jet after all.

;-)

GraemeMitchell · Aug 11, 2006

Helen B said:
"Ship everything. It's easier on the nerves."

I've just done a quick online FedEx quote. Sending the contents of the small camera bag I would carry for documentary work to and from the UK would cost $600 for three-day delivery. Then there are the customs hassles. Besides, I find it easier on the nerves to keep my gear in sight at all times.

"Actually, you can lock your luggage, as long as you have a TSA approved lock."
Thanks, I didn't know about those. I wonder how many master keys there are.

Best,
Helen

$600, ouch. I admit I'm only talking about flying domestically. Guess that defeats the point right?...

As for keeping gear in site, I had fellow passenger grabe my Domke bag w/ gear in it out of the over head once and throw it in the aisle. He was pissed off b/c it was in the place above his wife's seat (thus making it her overhead space). Crazy. Nothing was hurt, but point being, with my luck I'd rather fed ex my stuff: it's safer.

Any way you look at it, if you have much gear/film to haul it's a hassle.

chiller · Aug 11, 2006

I will be travelling to the US in September from Australia and based on a phone call just 30 secs ago to United, United will not be allowing me anything other than travel documents, essential medication and money as carry on luggage. All of that will have to be placed in a ziplock plastic bag. All camera gear, laptops, iPods etc which may have been carry on luggage will have to go in the hold.

I asked about film and was told that had to go in the hold. Naturally I will arrange film before hand. And process it in the US.

Looks like one pair of jocks, a pair of jean one pair of socks and a shirt. Foam rubber for my camera gear and a big case. That should last 26 days

The exact same restriction will apply on my return to Australia.
As long as I know what the ground rules are I'm ok with them.

fschifano · Aug 11, 2006

TheFlyingCamera said:
From the horse's mouth (or is it ass? you decide)

It's the wrong end of the horse if you ask me. Flying? Fugettaboutit! It's road trips for me this year.

Curt · Aug 11, 2006

We might need to create a film network allowing us to all ship our film to an apug contact at a specific destination which we can pick up on arrival? For example if you are coming to NZ to shoot 8x10 you won't find much 8x10 film here so send it to me and pick it up when you arrive.

I was thinking the same thing this morning. Also the liquid in the bubble levels in my view camera means that I can't take it as carry on luggage according to homeland security. That would be seriously desperate for someone to put a chemical in a few bubble levels wouldn't it? But then the terrorists are seriously desperate aren't they?

Curt · Aug 11, 2006

You can lock your luggage, as I told the airlines last time as I checked in my two new luggage bags. They are the new Samsonite ones that are a little expensive because they can bale out at high altitude and survive. They come with special keys and locks that the TSA have master keys to. I locked them up on my last trip to Europe and they weren't opened and no note was left that they were looked into.

If I lived in GB I would go down to Cornwall and enjoy the sea.

Curt

firecracker · Aug 11, 2006

Helen B said:
Sam,

I thought that this thread was only about what we would/could do in the event of a complete ban on carry-on items except for essential items needed during the flight. Currently this only applies to flights beginning in the UK and BA flights beginning in the USA.

Best,
Helen

Japan has already been affected, too. All the int. airports over here are doing the same thing. What a trend...

Besides the film, I'm concerned about the camera gears, too, the flashing device if that's the prime target by the security people. I'm really starting to think not to carry expensive P&S cameras too much because they have a built-in tiny flash and they are not separable.

I just prefer a camera that can be in my hands all the time to take pictures...

Wade D · Aug 12, 2006

Why fly at all. You can get anywhere on the planet by ground. It may take longer but think of the photo ops.

chiller · Aug 12, 2006

Wade D said:
Why fly at all. You can get anywhere on the planet by ground. It may take longer but think of the photo ops.

Now why am I not surprised by such a stupid limited view of the world.
Still it really depends on how you define the world I suppose.

kunihiko · Aug 12, 2006

Why fly ? because I can't swim.
Life is short, vacation is shorter.

AIRPORT SECURITY NOTICE : FILM

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