Japan > LAX > Mexico City with slide film

[ericdan]

Flying to Mexico City via a few days stop over in LA with provia 100f 35mm rolls.
Leaving Japan I can get hand checks. Do I need to worry about LAX or Mexico City airports?

 

[ericdan]

Any places that sell provia film in Mexico City?

 

[Nitroplait]

Neither Narita nor Haneda employs CT scanners (or at least they didn't do in June).
I would doubt they do in Mexico City.
According to our US members, hand inspection seems to be almost a human right in the USA - so I don't imagine that would be a problem in LAX.

I routinely let my film (400ISO) go through the standard x-ray scanners and don't bother with hand inspection.
The intercontinental trips typically have 6 or more passes out and home and I see ill no effect, so I don't bother looking for film sources at the destination - I find that to be more of a gamble than the exposure to radiation.

I have just started using a Domke lead bag as insurance in case I run into a CT scanner.
The result is that most places will pull you to the side for a manual inspection, therefore I now put the lead bag outside my carry-on next to my labtop, so they don't have to dive into my bag.
The myth that the x-ray operators increase the radiation when encountering lead protection is just that - a myth. The operator cannot change radiation, only filtration.

 

[ericdan]

Thanks for the input on US airports!

Never put a lead bag thru the scanner. They’ll just dial up the intensity and blast thru.

I’m not worried about Japan. I live here and know I can ask for hand checks.

We all have out own way of handling film. I had bad experience and will never ever put film thru any X-ray voluntarily.
I’m glad it has worked for you so far. I hope you wont have any bad experience going forward either.

 

[Nitroplait]

Thanks for the input on US airports!

Never put a lead bag thru the scanner. They’ll just dial up the intensity and blast thru.

As I said. That is a myth. The operator can’t change the “intensity”. They can change color filtration and contrast of the image on screen, not the level of radiation.

I am only worried about CT scanners.

Only you can decide how much trouble you are willing to put up with, of course.

Have a great trip.

 

[BradS]

You will have no trouble at all getting your fillm inspected by hand in LA. Just get the the airport extra early, have the film in a separate, clear plastic bag, and ask politely...and smile. Sometimes they want all the film out of the packaging...sometimes not. If traveling with sheet film, bring a dark bag and explain that film film must inspected inside the bag. Also bring an example of the box with an couple of sheets of film in it so you can show them in the light what they'll be dealing with in the dark bag....they have been trained to do this.

I've no idea what goes on in Mexico these days. Haven't been back there in nearly 40 years (geeez...1982 was 40 years ago...has it been that long?!?!?!)

Safe Travels!

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Neither Narita nor Haneda employs CT scanners (or at least they didn't do in June).
I would doubt they do in Mexico City.
According to our US members, hand inspection seems to be almost a human right in the USA - so I don't imagine that would be a problem in LAX.

I routinely let my film (400ISO) go through the standard x-ray scanners and don't bother with hand inspection.
The intercontinental trips typically have 6 or more passes out and home and I see ill no effect, so I don't bother looking for film sources at the destination - I find that to be more of a gamble than the exposure to radiation.

I have just started using a Domke lead bag as insurance in case I run into a CT scanner.
The result is that most places will pull you to the side for a manual inspection, therefore I now put the lead bag outside my carry-on next to my labtop, so they don't have to dive into my bag.
The myth that the x-ray operators increase the radiation when encountering lead protection is just that - a myth. The operator cannot change radiation, only filtration.

What is filtration?

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

TSA has a procedure for Americans that allow pre clearance enrollment to speed airport processing. I think it's around $100 for the life time enrolment card.

Is anyone familiar with this process? Does it get you through with film more easily?

TSA Enrollment by IDEMIA

TSA-authorized site providing enrollment information and services for TSA programs. Check out all available TSA enrollment programs and apply now for TSA PreCheck®, TWIC® and more.

tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov

 

[BradS]

..... Does it get you through with film more easily?

There is NO issue with "getting film through" the carry on baggage screening check points in the US airports. You can always request and will receive a physical inspection of photo-sensitive materials. The only time people have "issues" is when they are assholes. Be early, be courteous and polite, smile, do everything you can to make the job easier for them...and prepare to be amazed.


...and yes, I am familiar with the TSA PreCheck thing. I had it when I traveled for work. At some airports, at some airlines, it gets you through the line faster...sometimes a lot faster...usually, because you get to wait in a special line....but sometimes, at some airlines, or airports or during certain times of heavy tourist travel, it amounts to precisely jack sqat.

 

[Nitroplait]

What is filtration?

X-ray is BW but the system applies colours depending on density, often filtrated into a green and red channel. The operator can change the threshold filtration/separation to better see outlines of objects.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

X-ray is BW but the system applies colours depending on density, often filtrated into a green and red channel. The operator can change the threshold filtration/separation to better see outlines of objects.

They must be good with Photoshop.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

There is NO issue with "getting film through" the carry on baggage screening check points in the US airports. You can always request and will receive a physical inspection of photo-sensitive materials. The only time people have "issues" is when they are assholes. Be early, be courteous and polite, smile, do everything you can to make the job easier for them...and prepare to be amazed.


...and yes, I am familiar with the TSA PreCheck thing. I had it when I traveled for work. At some airports, at some airlines, it gets you through the line faster...sometimes a lot faster...usually, because you get to wait in a special line....but sometimes, at some airlines, or airports or during certain times of heavy tourist travel, it amounts to precisely jack sqat.

My question really was what does TSA do if you have the pre-approved special pass? Do they check film containers? Do they check you at all? Anyone here who has the pass?

 

[Mike Lopez]

My question really was what does TSA do if you have the pre-approved special pass? Do they check film containers? Do they check you at all? Anyone here who has the pass?

I have PreCheck, and yes, of course they still "check you." It simply means you get to go through a shorter line practically everywhere, and you get to leave your shoes on, at least in my experience.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

My question really was what does TSA do if you have the pre-approved special pass? Do they check film containers? Do they check you at all? Anyone here who has the pass?

I have the TSA Pre-Check/Global Entry pass. It helps you skip the massive lines, and you don't have to do the full monty strip to get through security, but your carry-on bags will still get scanned.

As to the original question about Mexico, while I have not brought slide film with me, I have brought color neg (nothing faster than 400 speed) and just went through the regular check-in without asking for hand inspection. I've had no issues with any of the film I brought with me, color or b/w, even with some film that I brought on one trip, didn't use, then brought back on a second trip and shot then.

 

[Sirius Glass]

TSA has a procedure for Americans that allow pre clearance enrollment to speed airport processing. I think it's around $100 for the life time enrolment card.

Is anyone familiar with this process? Does it get you through with film more easily?

TSA Enrollment by IDEMIA

TSA-authorized site providing enrollment information and services for TSA programs. Check out all available TSA enrollment programs and apply now for TSA PreCheck®, TWIC® and more.

tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov

I have it and it is only good for five years, but well worth the effort to get it. The lines are shorter. One does not have to take the shoes off. One does not need to have take the computers out. And it is very easy to get hand inspections because they are not pressured with long lines.

 

[ericdan]

As I said. That is a myth. The operator can’t change the “intensity”. They can change color filtration and contrast of the image on screen, not the level of radiation.

I am only worried about CT scanners.

Only you can decide how much trouble you are willing to put up with, of course.

Have a great trip.

Yeah mate. I feel kinda stupid but totally agree with you. It does sound like a myth.
Every time I fly I forget the empty lead bag in my bag and they show me there’s something in my bag they cant see. So that confirms it.

 

[ericdan]

Well good news then. I can avoid scanners on my way to Mexico then in both Japan and US. Thats good news. Can take film from the freezer instead of buying expensive new.
Way back we’ll see. Maybe have it processed there too if I can find an E6 lab.

 

[destroya]

last time i went to Mexico in 2019 i asked for a hand inspection and got one. coming home though it cost me an underhand $10 to avoid the scanner.