Airport X-ray to print paper?

butterflydream · Jun 16, 2006

I bought AGFA print papers here in Europe where I'm now on trip, to take back home in Korea. (They don't sell these any more in Korea.)

I don't want to hand carry these heavy papers into the cabin and want to ship with the luggage. Will it be OK during X-ray check of luggage?

Les McLean · Jun 16, 2006

I often put paper in my checked luggage and have no problems

butterflydream · Jun 16, 2006

Thanks for quick answer!
Now I can pack my luggage.

Travis Nunn · Jun 16, 2006

The only problem I've had with paper in checked luggage was the knucklehead that opened the factory sealed box of paper to "inspect" the contents, thus fogging every single piece of paper in the box. But as far as X-Rays go, never had a problem.

Petzi · Jun 17, 2006

I would consider mailing the paper in a parcel rather than taking it on the plane.

PhotoJim · Jun 17, 2006

I put paper in my carry-on baggage. As long as you're not buying monster sizes, this should work fine.

Airlines will usually let you carry a shopping bag in addition to carry-on baggage so if you do have bigger paper, you can probably just stick it in a plastic bag and carry it that way.

Mailing it home is also a good idea.

I'd be nervous about checking the paper because, as mentioned, an inspector could open it. Also, the CT scanners they use on checked baggage have a much higher probability of causing fogging than the x-ray machines for carry-on baggage. Film can survive x-rays but will be destroyed by CT scanning; I can't help but think that photographic paper, although slower, would fog at least a little.

aoresteen · Jun 17, 2006

Do NOT put it in checked baggage! CARRY it with you! I know it is a pain but that's the only way to make sure it is not spoiled!

bdial · Jun 17, 2006

Here in the U.S. they warn you Not to put film in checked baggage, as the x-rays used for checked bags are much more powerful than what is used for carry-on. Although I'm a bit reluctant to do so, I have had film x-rayed in my carry-on bags here and Europe with no apparent ill effects. Considering that the paper is much slower than film, it should do fine. Most U.S. airports now x-ray checked baggage, I don't know what the situation is in Europe. I would recommend shipping it, if you are unable or it is too inconvenient to carry.

Roger Hicks · Jun 18, 2006

Dear Ernie,

The first time Ilford encountered the current ultra-powerful X-rays was when a customer sent them a box of Multigrade with a Walkman and a lot of shirt buttons printed all the way through it. As they said, "We were well impressed."

The answer is that you might get away with it -- Les apparently always has -- but the risk is growing greater all the time, and it's not a risk I would dream of taking.

Outside the US airlines tend to be a lot more rigorous about carry-on limits too, so I'd hesitate to follow PhotoJim's advice too.

Sorry to be so negative but that's the way I'd do it, and I travel internationally a fair amount.

Cheers,

Roger (www.rogerandfrances.com)

Timothy · Jun 18, 2006

In addition to the common sense of Roger's comments, I work for Air Canada..... do N O T check light sensitive material. All of the stories of people who have done it successfully are like the stories of people who went over Niagara Falls in a barrel (way to go Les ! ) It has happened but do you really want to try it ? Mailing is the best option and not as cumbersome as you might think. I recently flew from Toronto to Winnipeg and I mailed a large box of mounted prints and a bunch of light sensitive material to the hotel for my arrival. It worked slick as could be.

Tim R

thebanana · Jun 18, 2006

I dunno, maybe the terrorists have already won. I guess with enough paper, someone with nefarious intent could subject the air crew to death by a thousand paper cuts.

Les McLean · Jun 18, 2006

Timothy said:
In addition to the common sense of Roger's comments, I work for Air Canada..... do N O T check light sensitive material. All of the stories of people who have done it successfully are like the stories of people who went over Niagara Falls in a barrel (way to go Les ! ) It has happened but do you really want to try it ? Mailing is the best option and not as cumbersome as you might think. I recently flew from Toronto to Winnipeg and I mailed a large box of mounted prints and a bunch of light sensitive material to the hotel for my arrival. It worked slick as could be.

Tim R

Thanks for the advice Tim I'll follow it when I next need to carry photographic paper with me. I guess that I have been lucky. Mailing within the US is quite inexpensive but I recently had to ship 50 mounted prints to LA for the Silver Conference, the cost was £120 sterling.

Peter Rockstroh · Jun 19, 2006

t_nunn said:
The only problem I've had with paper in checked luggage was the knucklehead that opened the factory sealed box of paper to "inspect" the contents, thus fogging every single piece of paper in the box. But as far as X-Rays go, never had a problem.

That knucklehead`s brother works in the Guatemalan customs office. He opened every single one of the last 8 boxes of 16"x20" Brilliant Paper I bought from Zone VI. I decided to carry paper with me and lost 4 boxes of paper in customs in Costa Rica. The only safe way I`ve found, is sending paper in advance through diplomatic connections from embassy to embassy, labeled "Light sensitive material. Do not open !"
X-Rays in Latin America (at least the countries I`ve visited) are rarely calibrated and can pose a risk. And custom`s employees can be a totally different species from your average H. sapiens

Airport X-ray to print paper?

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