Airport Sheet Film Procedure

Jarin Blaschke · May 1, 2017

Hi all:

I have been a traveling 120 roll film user for almost 20 years, and going through security in US airports with such film is still relatively easy with a few more minutes of time: you ask for a hand inspection, they wipe a fabric all over the films (usually still in the wrapper) and then place the swabbed fabric in a machine to test for explosive residue.

I have now moved up to 8x10, and soon the time will come to pass through airport security with exposed and unexposed film in a box, and possibly still in the holders after exposure. For those who travel with 8x10 film, what do you do? Do they just swab the outside of the box? Do you open up your changing tent and hand them nitrile gloves? Or do you just let them x-ray the film, and just make sure that any batch of film only goes through the airport once?

As far as film sensitivity, I primarily shoot FP4, but surely traveling with 8x10 HP5 and Portra 400 is in my future too. I intend for up to 5x enlargement (40x50") of the negatives.

Thanks!
-Jarin

Ian Grant · May 1, 2017

Just let them scan it that's what at I do for 5x4 film.

Ian

bvy · May 1, 2017

I wouldn't leave any film in holders if you can possibly help it. Anything to simplify the process will work to your advantage. Original packaging (boxes) will help, even if it's not what you're using. Seal the black bags with tape. Plan A LOT of extra time. You might also consider purchasing the TSA pre-check or pre-screen options.

Worst case, don't shoot anything you think won't survive the machine.

Jarin Blaschke · May 1, 2017

So if the film is exposed, separated into N development and +1 triple boxes (and within the taped bags and cardboard), how do they check it?

Toffle · May 1, 2017

A few years ago, when one airline was drastically reducing the size of carry-on baggage, I was asked to gate-check my camera bag. I agreed, but asked that they not scan the bag because it contained film. They asked about the film speed, as their training tells them any film under 800 ISO is not at risk. I told them that my film was un-rated x-ray film. They took this as meaning that my film was x-ray sensitive, and let it pass without scanning. Since then, I tape my boxes closed with prominent labels identifying the contents as X-RAY FILM, ask for a hand inspection at security, and hope for the best. It takes a little longer, but I normally get through with just a swab of the boxes.

biedron1 · May 1, 2017

Don't bother with hand inspection. Just let it go through the scanner as Ian said. I would however, take film out of holders and put it back in a film box - no risk of the dark slide moving out a little and ruining the film.

bvy · May 1, 2017

Toffle said:
Since then, I tape my boxes closed with prominent labels identifying the contents as X-RAY FILM, ask for a hand inspection at security, and hope for the best.

Great as long as they read it as descriptive and not a directive.

bvy · May 1, 2017

Jarin Blaschke said:
So if the film is exposed, separated into N development and +1 triple boxes (and within the taped bags and cardboard), how do they check it?

That's one way. They would still swab it. I had one very accommodating agent (on a slow travel day) go as far as to swab a small camera that I had loaded with film (roll partially exposed). I was, however, prepared to let it go through X-ray. Point is, swab test seems effective for most items not too thick or large.

degruyl · May 1, 2017

Film goes through the X-Ray machine. Filmholders are unloaded and go in the pelican in cargo.

I only shoot 100 - 125 ISO film (typically the B&W effective film speeds are around 15-60, and color is box), and have not had issues with the carry-on scanner. I do go through the precheck lane, but that makes surprisingly little difference where non-small-format film cameras get flagged for hand inspection anyway (I had a 120 TLR trigger a hand inspection yesterday, for example).

I have never had an issue with boxed sheet film, though.

If you are going to go through the effort of a hand inspection, bring a dark bag and a spare box to explain how to open and close the boxes. Obviously, they can check the outside of the box for explosive residue, but they may want to "look" inside. I have done that in central american airports, where the scanners may be turned up to 11.

8x10 boxes may be easier to convince the security that it is just sheets of plastic without opening them, but larger 4x5 boxes could easily have electronics inside.

Sirius Glass · May 1, 2017

Toffle said:
A few years ago, when one airline was drastically reducing the size of carry-on baggage, I was asked to gate-check my camera bag. I agreed, but asked that they not scan the bag because it contained film. They asked about the film speed, as their training tells them any film under 800 ISO is not at risk. I told them that my film was un-rated x-ray film. They took this as meaning that my film was x-ray sensitive, and let it pass without scanning. Since then, I tape my boxes closed with prominent labels identifying the contents as X-RAY FILM, ask for a hand inspection at security, and hope for the best. It takes a little longer, but I normally get through with just a swab of the boxes.

bvy said:
Great as long as they read it as descriptive and not a directive.

Great idea as long as they do not x-ray it as bvy points out. Of course then they just might cut any tape and open it up for visual inspection.

Andrew O'Neill · May 1, 2017

In the past I could get away with hand inspection... with the little wipe things. Now forget it. I asked last month and each time they said, well we'll have to open up the box then. Just xray with your carry on. No worries. All my Rollei IR came out normal.

Sirius Glass · May 1, 2017

Tape the boxes closed and then tape on in large letters notices to only open in total darkness. But then they will cut the tape to see why.

Luckless · May 1, 2017

One of my friends, who is a biologist who frequently travels with sterilized sample cases, started putting tape seals with something like "Breaking seal may result in up to $100,000 in fines" on the cases before getting to the airport. She had issues a few times with people opening the unlabelled empty sample cases (making them useless for her work) before asking questions.

Apparently the threat of large fines makes them ask the questions before they try opening them.

She never did get a straight answer from anyone as to why they thought opening an unlabelled vial holding an unknown substance in a crowded room was supposed to have been a good idea...

Personally I'm thinking of just mailing my boxes of film out ahead of me before a flight here in a few weeks. That way I can at least file an insurance claim on the shipment if anything gets damaged.

Mainecoonmaniac · May 1, 2017

I don't think xrays will fog ASA 400 film, but you can try to wrap it in cinefoil.

Cinefoil.
http://www.filmtools.com/ligdep/lighting-control/blacfoilblac/leeblacfoila.html

Jarin Blaschke · May 1, 2017

... so it seems that when I ask them for a "hand inspect" (just like I always have with my 120 film), they will likely swab just the outside of the box? Being allowed to carry on my changing tent and my f/64 backpack seems rather unlikely.

At any rate, I'll find out what happens in 10 days when I go back home. (The fresh film was shipped here from B&H).

Thanks for all the replies...

Jarin

Kerosene Hat · May 1, 2017

Have travelled with exposed and unexposed ISO 400 sheet film in holders that was scanned-no problem. But, you should do TSA pre-check if you can. Faster security and a slight chance of a lower dose of the zappy goodness.

Doremus Scudder · May 2, 2017

I travel relatively often from the USA to Europe and back and within Europe. Here are my recommendations and experiences.

First, if there's any kind of resistance to a hand inspection, just send your film through the hand-luggage scanner. I've had 320TXP and 400TMY scanned multiple times (>6x) with no effects.

I've only been able to get hand inspections in the US; European airports simply won't do them. I don't even ask anymore.

Getting film hand inspected in the USA: Factory-sealed sheet film boxes are no problem. They just get swabbed. Exposed film in boxes need to be labeled clearly "Exposed Photographic Film - Open only in total darkness." I pack my exposed film in boxes and then in Ziploc-style bags. Don't tape the bags shut, you'll need to remove the boxes from the bags to get swabbed. I've had agents check with their superiors a time or two, but never had a problem getting the film swabbed. If they say they need to open the box, then have them send the film through the scanners.

I have traveled with unexposed and exposed film loaded in holders (4x5). These are each in individual Ziploc-style bags. Do mark them clearly and let the agent know that those crazy-looking things are photographic sheet film holders.

Always remove your film, whether in boxes or holders, from your carry-on before having them scanned. I take put mine in a separate bin, well separated before they go through the scanner. The easier it is to scan them and for the operator to see what they are, the less the chance of a re-scan.

The only real danger you have is that an agent will open a box. This would only happen if you ask for a hand inspection. If your trip won't result in your film being scanned more than a few times, play it safe and just put them through the scanner.

Best,

Doremus

AgX · May 2, 2017

Luckless said:
Personally I'm thinking of just mailing my boxes of film out ahead of me before a flight here in a few weeks. That way I can at least file an insurance claim on the shipment if anything gets damaged.

That seems like trying to cast out devils with beelzebub.

Luckless · May 2, 2017

AgX said:
That seems like trying to cast out devils with beelzebub.

Well, if Beelzebub wants to offer actual insurance on it that has some chance of paying out, then I'm cool with that. - The film got to me by parcel post, so another round of it probably isn't the worst thing in life.

Kilgallb · May 7, 2017

Luckless said:
Well, if Beelzebub wants to offer actual insurance on it that has some chance of paying out, then I'm cool with that. - The film got to me by parcel post, so another round of it probably isn't the worst thing in life.

Items sent through the mail system or a carrier like Fedex are subject to x-rays just like checked luggage.

Luckless · May 7, 2017

Kilgallb said:
Items sent through the mail system or a carrier like Fedex are subject to x-rays just like checked luggage.

But they're far less likely to be opened by a clueless security agent, and if they are then insurance claim on the damage covers the cost of replacements. - The film was fine when it showed up through the post the first time.

Drew Bedo · May 8, 2017

When flying I only bring 50 and 200 speed fiklms in 4x5. A round trip by air can involve six passes through the scanner if there are plane changes.

a few years ago, maybe 2011, We traveled from Houston to Colorado. At TSA security in Houston I asked for hand checking of my factory sealed 50 sheet box of Tri-X. They had no idea. I told them that the film was in foiled envelops inside the thick box. She took my box away and returned with it a few minutes later . . .unsealed. We went off to the mountains and that evening I began to load film holders. Elbow deep in the changing bag I found that both bags had been opened and not resealed . . .well Ok but . . .

I shot a few sheets of Tri-X but no more. When all my films were processed back home, all the Tri-X had serious fogging and full exposure to the edges.

So, iow when flying I only bring slower films and let them scan it.

Mike Bates · May 12, 2017

I've sent 320 and 400 speed film through the carry on scanners lots of times (including sending the same film through several times) with no problems. I've given up on asking for hand checking. Even when they're willing and I'm extra polite, they still seem to do it as slowly as possible to discourage me from asking next time.

This question comes up from time to time here. As far as I know, nobody has ever reported FIRST HAND knowledge of any type of film being damaged by the carry on scanners. Lots of people have heard from someone (who heard from someone)..., but no first hand reports that I know of here. We have quite a few photographers carrying film through airports.

AgX · May 13, 2017

One member reported such, but this is the only case I remember being reported.

Mike Bates · May 13, 2017

I'd like to find the post where a member reported a first hand case of carry on scanner damage. I've seen reports of what people thought was scanner damage that turned out to be film fog due to light leak, but so far every report I've seen has turned out to be second hand (or third or fourth) or fogging due to light.

Airport Sheet Film Procedure

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