New (as of 2019) airport CT scanners

[fs999]

Norwegian retailer

Why Norwegian ? Faroe Islands is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark so any country in Europe would do the job, better than a non-European country...

 

[Helge]

Typically musical instruments travel as carry-on luggage or of they're big (cello, double bass) as a regular passenger (albeit a very static one). And of course they can be xrayed entirely safely. The same likely goes for the Ming vase, but for the musical instruments I'm actually sure.
Honestly I don't think the requirement of non-xrayable products traveling by air in small volumes as part of a single passenger's luggage isn't all that common. There may or may not be a protocol for it, but I've never heard of it in any case.

But you won’t put it through a normal carry-on scanner.
Putting something that expensive through a crude, relatively hazzard prone process like that would be foolish.

 

[koraks]

But you won’t put it through a normal carry-on scanner.

Of course musical instruments go through the regular carry on luggage scanner. Why on earth wouldn't wouldn't they?

 

[Ai Print]

OK, I finally have heard back from CPH and while overall a pleasant and cordial experience, in the final analysis it is as I expected in that the volume of rolls (50+) would be a no-go due to staffing and capacity uncertainties. So man...we and the makers of film have a bit of "Film Resurgence" black eye here. Whether of not one was already thinking of bringing film on an overseas jaunt, just hearing that you can not bring film through an airport is one hell of a PR blow to the broad notion of film. I'm pretty concerned about this so I am thinking it's time to rattle the cage in terms of short and long term solutions.

This is their reply today:

"Thank you for the clarification

I have now spoken to Security at the Airport, and due to the large amount of film rolls, they cannot promise that they have enough staff on duty on the day you will be travelling, because all the rolls have to be hand inspected. Therefore, it will take a lot of time and if they don't have the resources at that day, they cannot promise you, that you can bring your film with you. Which is why the recommend you find another alternative, or if you can bring a smaller amount with you."

For those who replied along the lines of shipping, customs and buying abroad, thank you. I am going to go at this hard right now and get it on solid footing well before my show-up date in late September.
I do have some ideas that are for the more long term picture but they will get more attention after I seal this deal.

I'm reaching out again to Ilford, Kodak, Freestyle and B&H to keep the dialogue going.

 

[BrianShaw]

Sad, but not unexpected.

it was very nice of them to reply, though.

 

[lantau]

For those who replied along the lines of shipping, customs and buying abroad, thank you. I am going to go at this hard right now and get it on solid footing well before my show-up date in late September.
I do have some ideas that are for the more long term picture but they will get more attention after I seal this deal.

I'm reaching out again to Ilford, Kodak, Freestyle and B&H to keep the dialogue going.

Some shops offer shipping with customs charges prearranged (prepaid). B&H does. Such a shipment will arrive without fuss. I don't know if Färöer is covered by their service.

Also noteworthy: Färöer is not part of the EU, nor the customs or VAT territory. The trick to order from the EU won't work, though there is a higher chance that some Danish shop is set up for it.

 

[Helge]

Of course musical instruments go through the regular carry on luggage scanner. Why on earth wouldn't wouldn't they?

Of course musical instruments go through the regular carry on luggage scanner. Why on earth wouldn't wouldn't they?

If I owned a two million dollar violin, there is no chance in hell that I’d put it through a scanner. Not a antique vase either.
The chance of something happening is small, but it’s there.

 

[Helge]

The still film you’ll be able to buy in Copenhagen, no problem.

 

[Ai Print]

The still film you’ll be able to buy in Copenhagen, no problem.

I would have to leave the airport and likely add another day onto my travels for that. So how do I get it to the Faroe Islands when they will have to scan that film anyway for that leg?

It looks like B&H will ship fresh film to my hotel address via DHL for about $90, I wonder what customs issues there might be on the receiving end?

In an effort to answer these question on my own, I have reached out to the Faroese customs office and the hotel I will first be staying at.

Tenacity, it's what's for dinner....

 

[Helge]

I would have to leave the airport and likely add another day onto my travels for that. So how do I get it to the Faroe Islands when they will have to scan that film anyway for that leg?

It looks like B&H will ship fresh film to my hotel address via DHL for about $90, I wonder what customs issues there might be on the receiving end?

In an effort to answer these question on my own, I have reached out to the Faroese customs office and the hotel I will first be staying at.

Tenacity, it's what's for dinner....

I just thought about the customs charges.
The nearest, most well stocked store is half an hour from the airport.
You might also be able to have them ship to the Faroese islands more easily?

 

[wiltw]

I just thought about the customs charges.
The nearest, most well stocked store is half an hour from the airport.
You might also be able to have them ship to the Faroese islands more easily?

Even if it were possible to get film shipped to the Faroese Islands free of CT exposure, there is still the issue of getting the photographically exposed and unprocessed films back home without going thru the new CT scanners at Security at stops enroute home!

 

[Helge]

Even if it were possible to get film shipped to the Faroese Islands, there is still the issue of getting the exposed and unprocessed films back home without going thru the new CT scanners at Security!

True, but that is one less trip to worry about.
You are probably also under less mental pressure when it’s all over.

 

[wiltw]

True, but that is one less trip to worry about.
You are probably also under less mental pressure when it’s all over.

...if not MORE mental pressure when you have a mental catalog of all the spectacular photos that have been taken...how many escape ruin by CT scanner?!

 

[Helge]

...if not MORE mental pressure when you have a mental catalog of all the spectacular photos that have been taken...how many escape ruin by CT scanner?!

Well you guys seems to be the glass half full type.
Making an exit you have more power to insist on a hand check since you most likely brought the stuff in.
Also the Faroese airport is not the biggest or busiest in the world. They most likely want to make a good impression too. Tourism is important to them.

 

[wiltw]

Well you guys seems to be the glass half full type.
Making an exit you have more power to insist on a hand check since you most likely brought the stuff in.
Also the Faroese airport is not the biggest or busiest in the world. They most likely want to make a good impression too. Tourism is important to them.

The issue is NOT the exit from Faroes, but the continuing journey home and the airports whose security you have to pass thru. I recall travelling from Copenhagen thru London Heathrow, to get back to the west coast of USA, and the deaf and dumb manning the security stations at Heathrow. And having to exit the gate area to check the flight status signboard and having to pass thru security a second time, merely to ensure that my flight was still departing from the original assigned gate!
And depending upon flight times, one may find themselves routed thru another city in the US, enroute to the west coast...I have entered the US via Philadelphia, necessitating clearance thru immigration and customs before going thru security to get onto the final leg home...potentially three CT scan opportunities all after having departed the Faroes.

 

[Helge]

The issue is NOT the exit from Faroes, but the continuing journey home and the airports whose security you have to pass thru. I recall travelling from Copenhagen thru London Heathrow, to get back to the west coast of USA, and the deaf and dumb manning the security stations at Heathrow. And having to exit the gate area to check the flight status signboard and having to pass thru security a second time, merely to ensure that my flight was still departing from the original assigned gate!

It’s quite simple, though maybe not what the OP wants to hear:
Make a stop in Copenhagen and develop your film/have it developed. There is a pro lab that does day to day and even faster for a fee.


I’d even be glad to assist in whatever small way I could if necessary.

 

[wiltw]

It’s quite simple, though maybe not what the OP wants to hear:
Make a stop in Copenhagen and develop your film/have it developed. There is a pro lab that does day to day and even faster for a fee.


I’d even be glad to assist in whatever small way I could if necessary.

Leaving an excellent opportunity to go tour the Carlsberg brewery while waiting for the film to be processed, and also Vodka Museum Copenhagen!

 

[Ai Print]

At this point I would only fly on any leg with film counting 30 rolls or less. However, I think things can be tweaked and innovated a bit more in our favor in the future with problem solving always in play.

For this trip I am willing to pay more for shipping than the amount of my own flight to see the safe arrival and departure of my film.

 

[Helge]

Leaving an excellent opportunity to go tour the Carlsberg brewery while waiting for the film to be processed, and also Vodka Museum Copenhagen!

Hey, I didn’t even know that one!

There is actually a full Faroes farm on an open air museum just half an hour outside Copenhagen.

 

[mooseontheloose]

OK, I finally have heard back from CPH and while overall a pleasant and cordial experience, in the final analysis it is as I expected in that the volume of rolls (50+) would be a no-go due to staffing and capacity uncertainties. So man...we and the makers of film have a bit of "Film Resurgence" black eye here. Whether of not one was already thinking of bringing film on an overseas jaunt, just hearing that you can not bring film through an airport is one hell of a PR blow to the broad notion of film. I'm pretty concerned about this so I am thinking it's time to rattle the cage in terms of short and long term solutions.

This is their reply today:

"Thank you for the clarification

I have now spoken to Security at the Airport, and due to the large amount of film rolls, they cannot promise that they have enough staff on duty on the day you will be travelling, because all the rolls have to be hand inspected. Therefore, it will take a lot of time and if they don't have the resources at that day, they cannot promise you, that you can bring your film with you. Which is why the recommend you find another alternative, or if you can bring a smaller amount with you."

For those who replied along the lines of shipping, customs and buying abroad, thank you. I am going to go at this hard right now and get it on solid footing well before my show-up date in late September.
I do have some ideas that are for the more long term picture but they will get more attention after I seal this deal.

I'm reaching out again to Ilford, Kodak, Freestyle and B&H to keep the dialogue going.

Thanks for sharing all of your hard work with this. This is something that really concerns me once travel resumes in full. Shipping to and from one country is easy enough, but what happens when a trip is weeks or months-long going through multiple countries? Trains are not always an option, and who know when the stations will also adopt CT scanners... The logistics of a multi-country trip with film (outside of major cities which may have film options available) may actually force me to slow down and do one country at a time. Maybe. Personally I would like the airports to have a lane for passengers with special needs - and film photographers would definitely be part of that group! How hard would it be to have one xray scanner for film, or to allow hand inspections of valuable goods? It wouldn't be applicable to the vast majority of travellers but could provide peace of mind for those that need it.

 

[Ai Print]

It is hard work but in doing it 5 months early, I think I can get something solid going. But you are right on those multiple country trips, no easy answer there and quite a downer for those who want to use film on trips like that.

For me personally, I only did that once and it took a nearly a year to do 6 countries and was 20 years ago. I tend to really want to live places to give the deeper imagery a chance to surface.

Starting with this trip, my goal was to do one of these extended insight trips every year until I am 60. I am confident I can still do that but I need a solid plan going forward that I hope the preparation and experience of this trip is the catalyst for it.

Thanks for sharing all of your hard work with this. This is something that really concerns me once travel resumes in full. Shipping to and from one country is easy enough, but what happens when a trip is weeks or months-long going through multiple countries? Trains are not always an option, and who know when the stations will also adopt CT scanners... The logistics of a multi-country trip with film (outside of major cities which may have film options available) may actually force me to slow down and do one country at a time. Maybe. Personally I would like the airports to have a lane for passengers with special needs - and film photographers would definitely be part of that group! How hard would it be to have one xray scanner for film, or to allow hand inspections of valuable goods? It wouldn't be applicable to the vast majority of travellers but could provide peace of mind for those that need it.

 

[AgX]

Why Norwegian ? Faroe Islands is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark so any country in Europe would do the job, better than a non-European country...

You mean EU-country, not european-country.

 

[Arthurwg]

I didn’t really bother asking for hand checks with the old machines - at Heathrow it’s not worth asking, everything is scanned. I usually only carried up to 400 speed film so never saw a problem. With these new machines coming in it’ll have to be digital only for travel. I can only hope they don’t get introduced for Eurostar trains too.

One reason I never use Heathrow. Worst airport in the world.

 

[ITD]

One reason I never use Heathrow. Worst airport in the world.

It’s my local - I didn’t find security at Gatwick to be any more obliging either.

 

[Ai Print]

One idea the main service manager at DHL suggested to me is to make this an ATA Carnet shipment. This is commonly used by the performing arts, motion picture and film and commercial photography industries when moving expensive equipment abroad. It basically pre-declares in great detail that the merchandise being imported is temporary and not to be sold to, rented or used by another party.

I honestly had never heard of this before so maybe it will be the way I ship abroad.