New (as of 2019) airport CT scanners

[Fatih Ayoglu]

As of Feb '24
Istanbul Havalimani staffs refused to hand check and just pointed at the x-ray machine label where it says 'film safe'
Muscat Oman airport staffs also refused to hand check

So regarding IST, my experience was slightly different and that might be because I’m local. At the first checking, I’ve asked them to do hand check and told them my cameras are loaded with ISO3200 film. They wanted to see but when I’ve explained, they’ve asked to a police officer for confirmation and then advised me to request hand swab at the 2nd security gate after passport.
As I was going through IGA fast track, they have new CT scanners there, I’ve asked them for hand swab and they have done so happily.

So tldr, if you have film loaded in the camera, you can try your chance to request a hand swab by slightly increasing the film speed

 

[MFstooges]

So regarding IST, my experience was slightly different and that might be because I’m local. At the first checking, I’ve asked them to do hand check and told them my cameras are loaded with ISO3200 film. They wanted to see but when I’ve explained, they’ve asked to a police officer for confirmation and then advised me to request hand swab at the 2nd security gate after passport.
As I was going through IGA fast track, they have new CT scanners there, I’ve asked them for hand swab and they have done so happily.

So tldr, if you have film loaded in the camera, you can try your chance to request a hand swab by slightly increasing the film speed

You have advantage that you speak Turkish. Most of the staffs don't speak english. I had asked two staffs in IST who gave deer look and passed the decision to the other one who could not care less.

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

You have advantage that you speak Turkish. Most of the staffs don't speak english. I had asked two staffs in IST who gave deer look and passed the decision to the other one who could not care less.

I have to agree with you, not only they dont speak much English or speak a very basic English, their understanding of analog films are very limited. Once, in another airport in Turkey, they have asked me if I have a film tent, so they check the films. Unfortunately I had to break news to them that, not only people do not use tents anymore, it is really hard to find one as production is limited to none.

 

[foc]

Saw this on YouTube and thought it might be of interest.

 

[Garb]

Went through Dubai international transfer gate. The airport looks really modern but they asked for laptops out...which I assume means older scanning tech. First time through, they allowed a hand check no question, but looked annoyed, second time around, gave some pushback but eventually allowed a hand check.

And Egypt was the worst. Scanner at customs on the way in. Twice flew out of Cairo airport, first time, there were three checkpoints (building entrance, domestic terminal entrance before check-in counter, and then once more after check-in counter). Some cases needed escalation to a manage but managed to get a hand-check each time. Second time around, two checkpoints, but managed to talk my way into a hand check both times.

Luxor airport also had at least two checkpoints, managed to get film hand-checked without needing to escalate to a manager, but needed to write down my passport number in a book due to having requested the hand check.

But in Egypt, it's not just airports. Every ticketed tourist destination had x-ray machines, and in the worst case, a museum in Egypt had one manual bag inspection, followed by two x-ray checkpoints, and then a final x-ray checkpoint on the way out. At Alexandria library, the guy was very hesitant to allow my film through without xray but managed to get him to cave.

Sometimes they see the film and know immediately it needs to bypass x-ray, but sometimes they have to ask what it is and why it's bypassing the x-ray. In the worst case, I left my film in the tray and in the two seconds I took my eyes off it to walk through the metal detector, some security guard took it upon himself to put it into the xray machine conveyor belt. I ran back through the metal detector and yanked it off at the last second. The only person in Egypt I hate more than this guy is probably the taxi driver who tried to abduct me.

At one shopping mall in Cairo, they refused to let film into the building even if I would allow it to get xrayed, even after escalating to manager. However, they had no problem with the camera loaded with film, just the film in a ziplock bag was the problem. A person in my party took great offense to this since we had gone all over Egypt with the film and it was allowed everywhere else, and after yelling at them on my behalf, got my film into the building without it getting xrayed.

If you're thinking about going to Egypt with film...do not recommend.

 

[Garb]

At Kansai Airport KIX, on the way home they insisted on scanning my film, 20 rolls of TMAX 400

I have yet to be denied a hand check at any Japan airport. Usually, they don't even put up an argument. Were these bare rolls or in the pro pack box?

 

[Agulliver]

It has been reported in the local "press" that Luton airport (AKA London Luton Airport) will have the new scanners in time for the summer holiday season 2024. I shall endeavour to keep an eye on this though I am not planning on flying from there again until 2025.

 

[Agulliver]

Saw this on YouTube and thought it might be of interest.

thanks for this. Lina has really gone out of her way to conduct a series of experiments covering many scenarios.

Some things I took away from watching the video:

It's not all doom and gloom but the CT scanners are definitely a lot more damaging than the traditional X-ray scanners. also these new hand baggage CT scanners do not produce the typical CT scan waves on film as expected, which I think means I owe @koraks an apology. God knows what they're actually doing inside those scanners but it's not "normal" CT scanning. And no doubt they won't tell us for valid security reasons. On the upside, this means that fog is likely to be uniform...which makes recovery in scanning or printing viable.

But there are some positives. Those old lead bags which have generally not been recommended might just be useful again. Even metal 35mm cassettes help protect the film 200ISO and lower will probably be OK for one or two airport scans if you're unable to get your film hand checked. Over exposing can help alleviate the mild fogging effects of a few airport scans. Under exposure is highly ill-advised. Presumably if one pulled HP5+ to 200 or slower it would do better than box speed.

Looks like it's time for 100ISO colour negative film to make a comeback My trip to Japan next year may well involve several security checks as I'm travelling around quite a bit. I shall request hand inspections but also be careful and only take 35mm film of 200ISO or slower.

 

[koraks]

which I think means I owe @koraks an apology

Heck no, but I appreciate the gesture. We're exchanging ideas, usually based on incomplete knowledge, and by combining our insights we get ahead, little by little. That most of us are wrong at least part of the time is just a matter of course!

Those old lead bags which have generally not been recommended might just be useful again.

Yes, while I've always doubted their effectiveness. They do help some at least, so I stand corrected on that.

 

[Agulliver]

The problem with lead lined bags in the past is that the traditional X-ray machines usually see them as a big nothing, which causes suspicion in the security staff. They re-X-ray your bag with the highest dose possible and likely also call you aside for an extra bag check.

But it seems, from Lina's recent experience at least, that the CT scanner can "see" inside the bag enough for the operator to ascertain that the contents aren't dangerous while offering 30-50% protection for the films. That's new, and if it's repeated around the world it's good info.

 

[stuwilmur]

Hi All,

I’ve had a look online but couldn’t see a very definitive answer on this: I’m flying from EDI to CDG and back, planning on taking some rolls or HP5 and Ektar 100. Does anyone have recent experience of the scanners at either end? Will my film get zapped in new CT machines? If necessary I could probably try and post rolls back to the UK from France.

Thanks

 

[Vaughn]

Depend on the country/airport, the attitude of the under-paid worker, and how busy they are, requesting a hand-check of carried on film is usually possible.

The Canadians in Vancouver had no issue with my 120 film and the Japanese in Tokoyo saw the baggie of 16 rolls of 120 film in my hand and did not even ask if I needed a hand-check. They just brought over a special-colored tray to me to put the film into.

Good Luck!

 

[koraks]

@stuwilmur I've merged your question with this existing thread on the same issue.

I’m flying from EDI to CDG and back

I don't think EDI (Edinburgh) and/or CDG (Charles de Gaulle, Paris) have been mentioned before. A quick Google search also gives no conclusive information. So I think the best you can do is keep your eyes open and try to recognize the type of scanner used, and ask for a hand inspection just to be sure.

 

[GregY]

@stuwilmur I've merged your question with this existing thread on the same issue.



I don't think EDI (Edinburgh) and/or CDG (Charles de Gaulle, Paris) have been mentioned before. A quick Google search also gives no conclusive information. So I think the best you can do is keep your eyes open and try to recognize the type of scanner used, and ask for a hand inspection just to be sure.

I flew into and out of Charles de Gaulle airport in 2022. I had already decided to have my film processed before leaving (Atelier Publimod....a fine lab)..... at that time they were using XRay machines, but there was a huge crush of people and not an agent in sight, until passed by the machines. I left on the day of the air traffic controllers' strike and getting a hand inspection would have been impossible. I will continue to have my film processed in Europe prior to leaving or mail it home. Not a single thought of going digital.

 

[Agulliver]

CDG is a huge airport and it is possible that some terminals (and even some lines within terminals) have CT scanners and some do not. Upgrading is costly and takes time+effort+training. You do also have the delightful French habit of last minute strikes to contend with.

Most airports don't say much about the equipment used in security lines, though it might not hurt if you are able to send an email to CDG or the appropriate authority. For the most part the info airport websites have is designed to ease any anxiety nervous and new passengers have about what is expected of them when they travel through the airport and not the specifics of what model of scanner is in place. Though some American airports do occasionally boast "We are using the latest Mitsu-Tachi 6000ZXB Laser assisted detect-o-matic scanner". which can be helpful.

EDI would come under the UK DfT and they already have instructed all UK civil airports to accept requests to hand inspect film. I've attached the letter they sent me earlier in this thread. It *might* be helpful to have a hard copy available if they decline such requests.

 

[ntenny]

I’ve transferred in CDG (US to Schengen) a couple of times in recent years, and so far I’ve only seen the old X-ray scanners. That’s not to say they mightn’t have them somewhere, of course.

-NT

 

[wiltw]

The mere expense of upgrading *all* X-ray to CT at an airport for carry-on bags can be daunting for all but the smaller airports with a single terminal.
And then there is the fact that by keeping folks GUESSING means that obfuscation about how incomplete the conversion process is will itslef serve as a deterence to someone contemplating sneaking something past Security. Which leaves us with the uncertainty for anyone travelling with film.

 

[radialMelt]

I’ve transferred in CDG (US to Schengen) a couple of times in recent years, and so far I’ve only seen the old X-ray scanners. That’s not to say they mightn’t have them somewhere, of course.

-NT

I have seen new CT scanners at CDG, but in my international transfer (Canada to Schengen) I did not have to pass through them. But I did see them at another checkpoint, there's no mistaking them.

 

[Prest_400]

CDG is a huge airport and it is possible that some terminals (and even some lines within terminals) have CT scanners and some do not. Upgrading is costly and takes time+effort+training. You do also have the delightful French habit of last minute strikes to contend with.

Most airports don't say much about the equipment used in security lines, though it might not hurt if you are able to send an email to CDG or the appropriate authority. For the most part the info airport websites have is designed to ease any anxiety nervous and new passengers have about what is expected of them when they travel through the airport and not the specifics of what model of scanner is in place. Though some American airports do occasionally boast "We are using the latest Mitsu-Tachi 6000ZXB Laser assisted detect-o-matic scanner". which can be helpful.

EDI would come under the UK DfT and they already have instructed all UK civil airports to accept requests to hand inspect film. I've attached the letter they sent me earlier in this thread. It *might* be helpful to have a hard copy available if they decline such requests.

That is the case for Spain, postponed to late 2024
Munich, Doha, and other airports do have publications about rolling out CT scanners and some even praise the individual model. I plan to mail and ask about this when traveling with film.

Interestingly I saw a reel on Instagram complaining about CT scanners being really slow; yes that liquids and electronics don't have to be taken out but passengers had to wait for a slow conveyor. I have to say that I was very surprised about that.

 

[titrisol]

I normally travel with a film camera and have it handchecked after last summer
This week I traveled with a Leica IIIf that was recently serviced by YYe and it set the hand check alarms as well.
I had to open the camera and take the film out in both airports, with the camera being passed through the scanner.
This hasnt happened with any other camera.

Any Idea of what could set off the detectors? These are those swabs they use and stick in a machine to check for forbidden substances.
Could this be any of the fresh lubricants?

 

[GregY]

My view is that if you're travelling w film, you want the best odds of smooth sailing through security. Having your cameras loaded with film just adds to the complexity.... and the likelihood your cameras will be scanned.

 

[Prest_400]

Lina Bessonova posted a story about going through Rome FCO (2 days ago, just remember now), and the CT scanners there have "NO FILM SAFE" stickers around. She compared it to Belgrade, who have also CT scanners but instead a "film safe" sticker. Of course, different machines and black box about how much they may irradiate.
I would say that if they are identified properly, it's an improvement.

She was mentioning an initative together with Silver Grain Classics to bring this to the EU for security routines mirroring the USA handcheck policy.

 

[stuwilmur]

Hi All,

I’ve had a look online but couldn’t see a very definitive answer on this: I’m flying from EDI to CDG and back, planning on taking some rolls or HP5 and Ektar 100. Does anyone have recent experience of the scanners at either end? Will my film get zapped in new CT machines? If necessary I could probably try and post rolls back to the UK from France.

Thanks

Update on the above: flying out of an Edinburgh, I was advised by security that my film would be safe as it was under 800ISO. I flew back from CDG terminal 2E: I couldn’t see anything identifying the model on the scanners other than the manufacturer name; I didn’t have to take laptop or liquids out of hand luggage. However, I’d already chosen to ship my films back to the UK by this point so didn’t find anything further about hand checks etc here.

Sorry not terribly helpful!

 

[wiltw]

Update on the above: flying out of an Edinburgh, I was advised by security that my film would be safe as it was under 800ISO. I flew back from CDG terminal 2E: I couldn’t see anything identifying the model on the scanners other than the manufacturer name; I didn’t have to take laptop or liquids out of hand luggage. However, I’d already chosen to ship my films back to the UK by this point so didn’t find anything further about hand checks etc here.

Sorry not terribly helpful!

That sounds suspiciously like they were repeating what they had heard with reference to X-ray inspection machines ...what has been said for decades!

 

[MFstooges]

I flew into and out of Charles de Gaulle airport in 2022. I had already decided to have my film processed before leaving (Atelier Publimod....a fine lab)..... at that time they were using XRay machines, but there was a huge crush of people and not an agent in sight, until passed by the machines. I left on the day of the air traffic controllers' strike and getting a hand inspection would have been impossible. I will continue to have my film processed in Europe prior to leaving or mail it home. Not a single thought of going digital.

Mail it home? I assume the X-ray machine is even stronger for unattended mail and package, no?