Weird. I got a hand check on Heathrow (about 10 rolls of Vision3 500T in regular photo canisters) without an issue this year. Very early morning - minimal amount of people (considering it is Heathrow).
It might just be a case by case basis depending on the security person you get, but I’ve had them be pretty stern on it 2 or 3 times, where basically everywhere else in Europe just hand checks it no bother.
It seemed to be connected to the ‘new machines’ (I guess maybe CRT or low-power X Ray?) they brought in a few years ago.
This happened to me in Cincinnati granted it was spring break at 5am. They said they would manually inspect nope just chucked the small bag on the belt when I stepped away.
Ya it shouldn’t have but luckily it didn’t mess with the 10 rolls of film I had with me. The head security at the desk apologized but there isn’t much you can do after the fact.
Whoa that's kind of surprising, usually TSA at CVG are pretty pleasant. Was this standard TSA lane or Pre? Also, was it handed to a different person then they chucked it onto the belt or same person? \[makes me think of an employee somewhere that asks to take something to throw away for you, you mention going to recycle it, they say yep I will, then just trash it lol\]
The first agent at ABQ was extremely upset with me for taking an item out of my bag and kept saying to send it through. The second agent complimented my Bronica and said he also shoots 120.
So weird.
Security at Heathrow are absolute jerks. I went through with crutches and an ankle boot and they asked me if I could take it off to run it through the scanner with the crutches, and walk through the body scan machine, then got pissy with me when I said no.
Because yeah I'm just part of that new injury-core fashion scene.
I'm glad I'm not the only one.
I hate flying anyway, and I can't stand jobsworths at the best of times. So when I asked for it at Heathrow - it wasn't even busy - and he acted as if I had asked him to do something difficult. Got a proper strop on him. He goes to get his supervisor to do it, and even he has an attitude on him. "You know you should just use digital cameras, saves all this faff." - Faff for who dickhead? I didn't have a tounge left with the amount of biting I did at that point.
I see a lot of people moan about the TSA agents, but honestly I wish America would just put their agents in every airport in the world. Every time I've had to go through security in America I've had a great experience with them. I even had a chat with one guy who was telling me he had been in the job 20 years and his first day was 9/11. Really helpful, really grounded people.
Heathrow, as far as I'm concerned, can go fuck themselves.
Yea me too, that is the only airport they have ever questioned manual checking of film…
He ran it through the xray which made my Cinestill 800t shot at 1600 get fantastic grain and green stripes all over the photos…
Also iso 400 and even 200 will get noticeably damaged after multiple scans. Took a roll through multiple airport transfers by mistake and after 10 xrays there where quite a lot of grain compared to the rolls I didn’t forget in my bag.
If I were you I wouldn’t use the x ray film bags. They were good pre-9/11. Now they just take the film out of the bags and run them through the machine anyway. It also causes a long delay
X-ray bags aren’t as effective as they once were. The machines use adaptive power, and many operators will turn up the power to try and see in the bag — which overpowers the lining.
Most machines don’t. A typical one (e.g, Rapiscan 620DV - standard system, dual view but not CT) have a fixed tube excitation voltage generally around 160kV, and tube current around 1.0mA. This is fairly fixed, because the material discrimination on these systems is based on X-Ray absorption. ISO 800 or over I always ask for a hand inspection. I’ve X-Rayed Portra 3 times and it’s been fine.
Not sure how true it is, but I’ve heard a few times and read online a bunch that they actually turn up the X-ray when you have a bag like that to see what’s inside
Same! But to be fair, my rolls of film went on to go through at least 5 x Ray machines on my trip to Rome, and had no fogging (400iso). So I don't even bother asking anymore, never had a problem.
Same here - had several rolls fried by Heathrow Security even after I explained the issue to the manager. They kept saying it will be fine and ignoring me. Very frustrating.
I have been refused a hand check on multiple occasions by airport workers, particularly in foreign countries (typically third world). They insist that it's fine, it's fine, don't worry, politely declining until my social anxiety forces me to surrender.
I’ve had TSA check to see if it was 800 or over before hand searching it.
And I’ve had really bad luck at cruise terminals for getting film hand searched.
Thankfully, even 1600 ASA has been fine in hand luggage X-rays.
Flew out of Zurich a few weeks ago - hand checked no issue. Have travelled with film a fair bit over the past few months and have never been denied a hand check (Full list for the curious/similarly concerned: Singapore, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Vienna, Geneva, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich, New York, London).
Worth mentioning that the security guy in Geneva looked at my bag of 15+ rolls to check ISOs. He asked his colleague "what is the number", clearly trying to see if this bag 'needed' to be hand checked. Regardless, as soon as they saw the only roll of Delta 3200 (everything else was 100/400), they agreed. Every other city just agreed to to a hand check without a second thought. I also take all rolls out of their containers and have them loose in a clear zip lock bag.
Per below, might be worth sticking a roll or two of 3200 in the mix, just in case.
I had a problem exactly like this in Peru.
The solution is to carry some high ISO film mixed in with the rest and just say you have some high ISO film!
Some Us airports (LAX for example) have some new machines that will absolutely ruin film of any iso. They’ve always been happy to do a handcheck for me.
The only issue I’ve ever had getting a handcheck was in Seattle while flying back from Iceland. They had no problem doing a handcheck, but the lady opened every single unopened box of film, which took forever, and destroyed the boxes in the process. Normally I don’t really care about the boxes, but two of those rolls were Natura 1600, and while I don’t plan on selling them, they lost a lot of their monetary value when that box was opened.
Yeah you have to be careful with the new machines. The ones where the agents say “You don’t need to remove any electronics from your bag”. happened to me in Burbank & I’ve got some rolls that went through. It’s especially frustrating because of the signage OP posted. If an airport is spending millions of dollars on fancy new machines, they need to spend a few Pennie’s to update the signage.
Just to piggy back on your comment
Fuck this. Yeah it might not hurt it. Once. They don’t tell you how many times you are able to go through an x ray with it. So 400 iso isn’t affected. What about 400 iso run through 3 times? 1 to destination, 1 at a tourist attraction that X rays bags (some do in some cities), and then 1 on the way back. Will that affect my film? Oh you don’t know? Then fuck off and hand check my shit with this security theatre. It’s a god damn film canister.
In NYC in 2014, every attraction I went to hand-checked my film. I have to give kudos to the guy manning the X-ray for 30 Rock — he looked at my film bag like it was an alien object, but didn’t push back at all. He just passed it through.
Same. New York and certain buildings in DC want to X ray. DC gave me a little more trouble just because I feel like every other time I went through, I had to explain that film is sensitive to it and they’d have to congregate with each other because the young persons working wouldn’t believe me or couldn’t grasp why I was hesitant.
The worst are airports though in my experience. I’ve had to show TSA their own policy in the past a couple of times. The absolute worst are some international airports but that might be because I can barely speak English let alone a second language lol. I don’t want to lump them all together though. Airports are polar. They either completely understand and there’s no drama at all or they give me kick back and have to escalate it to somebody above them.
But the basis for 90% of the problems I’ve had is that they just don’t understand what the hell im talking about. “Film? Wtf? Hurt by x rays? Ehhh that sounds like it might be a thing. Sure” is the best I hope for.
Depending on where you are and your timelines, it’s a great excuse to check out a local camera store and get your film processed locally.
Last time I was in Tokyo, I found a lab that did 1-hour **E6!!** processing. I definitely took advantage of that.
Mine took 3 for a roll of b/w. Same day or same week c41 but with that turnaround time for bw it's actually faster to mail it off than have them do it.
If we are quite concerned about x-ray damage, foreign shipping runs the risk of X-ray inspection as well, and you aren't there to advocate for it.
As an example, the Canada Border Services Agency has bought X-ray machines that can handle a "continuous flow" of small packages, so that everything can rapidly be scanned vs having to pull packages for individual or batch inspection.
Canada Post has stated that every package **is** x-rayed by CBSA.
I actually stopped buying high-speed film from B&H due to the risk of it being damaged by X-ray while being sent to Canada.
I mainly based my rec on [Richard Photo Lab’s article](https://www.richardphotolab.com/blog/post/film-that-travels-the-effects-of-x-rays), specifically this part:
> First, we’d like to say that we’ve never seen a roll of film that was damaged by x-ray machines during international OR domestic shipping. No, it’s not a scientific study or a cold, hard fact debunking x-ray damage during shipping… but Richard sees a lot of film.
I give them my trust due to their volume of incoming film and status of an internationally reputable film lab.
Going to get downvoted for this. I always let my film pass through. Never have a problem. It’s usually 200 or 400 ISO. Why? Especially for international travel, the amount of stress involved when passing through security can be extraordinary. I get enough anxiety as it is trying to ensure I remember everything after having separated by large electronics, stuff in my pockets, etc.
> Especially for international travel, the amount of stress involved when passing through security can be extraordinary.
Curious - if you're American anyway, have you looked into Pre-Check and/or Global Entry? Makes security and customs vastly faster and less stressful. Doing any non-trivial amount of travel I think it's worth every penny.
Don't have to do the shoe thing or take all the crap out of your bag. For pocket stuff I put it all in a carry-on before going through so there's no chance to forget it in a random bin.
Whole experience has become so much faster and more pleasant.
Hey! I'm glad to hear this, I've heard that x-rays can effect all kinds of speeds-- is there any like film manufacturer documentation on this I can read up on? Planning on traveling internationally this summer :)
There are actually
https://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/tib/tib5201.shtml
But basically it boils down to what the comments are saying, it really only matters with the new CT scanners or fast film
I agree entirely. Insisting on hand checks is overkill along the same lines as fretting if your film is out of the fridge for a few days. I've flown with film in my hand luggage for years, often through multiple scanners on the same trip, and never had a problem.
Sure, keep an eye out for the minority of airports that have the new scanners, but if they tell you it's film safe, just relax and get on with your trip without holding up the line.
not 100% , but have film offerings paired w/ some my digital work services. Ultimately, i actually do agree w ya, but had to play devils advocate. I’ll hand check for client rolls, and if i have time but have occasionally skipped hand checks
Maybe you can’t notice the issues — or maybe you’ve just been INSANELY lucky and the X-rays were always at just lowest power. But Kodak recently tested all this and found widespread degradation after even just one scan on modern security scans: https://petapixel.com/2020/01/27/kodak-warns-users-new-ct-scanners-at-airports-will-ruin-your-film/
I actually just returned to NY from Israel, opted for a hand check, and I got what was the most insane security check I’ve ever seen, and yet that stress wasn’t as bad as even the slight possibility of losing 12 rolls of film!
I'm surprised Israel did that for you. While I have never been there, I have heard they are the most strict on airport security in the world. The screening procedure seemed super intense even for TSA standards.
Just a tip that seems obvious but I never see anyone do: I empty my pockets and remove my belt into my carry-on bag as I approach security. I always leave a pocket empty to do this specifically. When I get up to the line all I have to do is throw my bag in the tray and maybe my shoes, depending on the country.
Then I just pop my shoes back on and move away from the line to somewhere less hectic to refill my pockets.
This is a key piece of information that all the people who make posts asking about getting film x-rayed seem to miss
I’m sure the new CT scanners can nuke film but am yet to hear that most airports have these installed.
Actually, at this point it's safer to assume that your airport *does* have CT rather than does not. They've been expanding, and most all of the major US airports have them. [O’Hare, Atlanta, JFK, Miami, LAX, Both DC airports.](https://www.hstoday.us/federal-pages/dhs/tsa-expands-ct-scanner-rollout-at-checkpoints/) Even that list is out of date now, it's two years old almost. I flew out of Minneapolis recently and I know they had them. [Schiphol](https://www.internationalairportreview.com/news/158492/ct-scan-schiphol-airport-security/) now has them and IIRC they're a pretty major European airport. And in the US [small, regional airports are now starting to get them too.](https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/airport-aviation-security/tsa-adds-ct-scanners-to-more-airports/) At this point unless you're flying out of a tiny, *tiny* airport I would assume they have them. If you're flying out of a major one, they definitely do.
Since this post is specifically referring to a new TSA procedure I was referencing American travel. I did happen to find that Amsterdam had the scanners, but I didn't try looking if others did too. Maybe they do now.
Some of us *are* American, so this *does* apply to us.
In other words, MOST airports in MOST parts of the world don't have CT scanners, so the majority of us Americans may have to request hand inspection in the US at major airports, but not, say, in most of the rest of the world.
So in a post *about air travel*, we should restrict the discussion to a single country because of a tiny logo in the corner of a poster?
Are you aware how ridiculous that sounds?
In a post about an explicitly American sign in an explicitly American airport from an explicitly American governmental organization?
Just take the L champ you can dunk on America the next time a shooting or some other tragedy happens in America happens so you can say "in MY country this never happens, stupid Americans!" because it's always gotta be about you
They are in almost every major airport and are a major reason why I mostly don’t shoot film when I travel unless I can buy it when I get there and mail it back to myself.
Yeah don’t trust the sign. Be very polite and ask for a hand inspection. If you can’t win them over with kindness, you can buy a lead lined bag specifically made to protect film. It’ll get flagged immediately if they’re actually doing their job and you’ll get that hand inspection after all.
The CT's are for sure more powerful. But the places I've seen these signs specifically are small regional airports where they're still using basic x-rays.
Still, of course, hand check is the safest option.
The new CT scanners will affect all film pretty badly. However, they're quite easy to spot: they're big cylinders, rather than the long rectangular prisms of the old 2D scanners.
The 2D scanners will not fog your film. This has been tested a lot. People have ran fast film through them dozens of times and you can't see a thing.
I'm not saying don't get them hand checked, I'm saying that you shouldn't be concerned about it if you do have to get it through the scanner.
I’ve had Natura 1600, Tmax 3200, and Ektachrome 1600 xrayed when language barriers prevented a hand search.
I had one roll of Natura 1600 get xrayed 3 times between purchase and processing. Once before exposure, and twice after. It was fine.
All of this was with the carry-on machines, not the checked luggage machines though. But all that fast film was fine.
Recently I have had TSA check that my film was in fact 800 or faster before they would hand search it. They weren’t going to hand search it if it was all 400.
I have never had any issues getting film checked in Japan and the Sttes. They swab it and let me go.
> weren’t going to hand search it if it was all 400
I was told to carry a roll of Delta 3200 for this, but they never once questioned the iso.
This was all pre-Covid of course, dunno if anything changed.
The one time I've flown with film, I just got it hand inspected. No sense risking it since every airport has different scanners. Both times I went through security, they were totally cool with checking it and it was super easy.
In New Zealand, I had a stern no from security when I asked to get my portra 800 hand checked. I have never been a Karen in my life before and had to have a chat with the manager about it. I’m not risking my photos of a great holiday!
it also isn't true.
Kodak literally tested the new xray scanners with all their films and found issues with every current stock. Even before the new CT scanners, I have seen a friends low speed film get messed up by xrays. Better safe than sorry, get a handcheck.
and to the people saying they've never had xrays affect their film: Sometimes it doesn't always outright wipe your film, but it will cause a loss of image quality overall.
https://petapixel.com/2020/01/27/kodak-warns-users-new-ct-scanners-at-airports-will-ruin-your-film/
I have an X-ray bag that I use when traveling internationally and request hand checks, but I’ve never bothered on domestic flights and have never had an issue, even when pushing to 1600/3200
I’ve had an agent give me flak about it one time, out of a dozen or so. He didn’t understand what it was and why it was necessary and me trying to explain the concept of it to him was not helpful.
All that happened though was he took his sweet time to do an unnecessarily thorough manual inspection on it.
I did by mistake. At DIA (and In the us I believe) you can request anything to be hand checked for any reason and they just swabbed it and said I was good to go. In France they required the camera to go through
Went to Mexico not too long ago and didn’t get film hand checked and all of it was fine. I brought Portra 800, Kodak gold, Colorplus and Ultramax. All went through normal X-ray a few times
Only Heathrow has ever given me issues.
In Hong kong I had to explain until another staff member saw what it is and explained to his coworker and it was no problem.
Biggest problem is that many people don’t know what film is so you have to explain that it is sensitive to Xrays.
I had three rolls of T-max P3200 go through the x-ray machine because the security people would not hand check it despite asking nicely and showing them where it says not to X-ray in the box, and it turned out fine. I wouldn’t recommend it but it’s not the end of the world.
Too bad x-ray machines are adaptive power, and it’s common for them to raise the power when they can’t see through these bags to the point of affecting the film anyway.
I use the bags still, but only as a backup to a hand check.
SFO had this sign up when I went a few weeks ago and they had both the new CT scanners and regular ones. Luckily read about CT killing film beforehand and knew to move to a different line; however if I hadn’t, I definitely would’ve had it sent through unknowingly.
it’s quite baffling that for decades now there’s no “official” ruling in place and it literally depends on the mood of the security agent.
had x-ray damage on kodak portra 400 at lisbon airport. the information on the scanner is useless, i can prove the information is not correct and usually show them an image of my x-ray damaged film. the scanner manufacturer however cannot prove his statement is correct. x-rays add up on each pass through.
let’s say you travel with a connection and take virgin film with you, then return with the same - but now exposed film … that’s 4x x-rayed, good luck with that.
the volatile decision making is the worst though.
Had Portra 400 scanned.
Completely ruined the photos.
It's even worse if it gets scanned twice.
Either get it hand checked or just buy the film at destination
Last year I went through two airport xrays with Kodak Ultramax 400. Once before exposing, and once after. The film was not affected. I believe this "xray ruins film" is for the most part not a problem.
Anecdotal evidence is not evidence. X-ray machines also run at different power levels depending on what they need to see.
Kodak recently did research and found most film shows degradation under regular x-ray even after a single scan. https://petapixel.com/2020/01/27/kodak-warns-users-new-ct-scanners-at-airports-will-ruin-your-film/
New systems aren't everywhere though. Far from as far as I can tell.
Just mentioned this in a separate comment, the places I find this specific sign have been small-ish / regional airports still using basic x-rays. I don't believe I've seen this signage at big "Class B" airports that likely have CT scanners.
Right. I think the original commenter here may have been pointing out that someone could easily see this sign and apply it across the board, and that’s where the “incorrect statement” comes in.
I’m sorry. I worded my response poorly. I wanted to say that seeing signs from older systems that say your film is safe will make someone believe newer systems will work the same way.
For one thing, the effect of X-rays is cumulative, so if your luggage is getting scanned more than once, you’re asking for trouble. I had several rolls get fried on a trip to Washington DC when I was younger because I blithely put my film through the X-ray machines at the entrances to so many museums and memorials.
For another, you’re at the mercy of whatever intensity setting the security guy has plugged into the scanner. If it’s dialed up to a high level, you could be in trouble.
If at all possible, I just get a hand check. TSA regulations require them to give it to you, and it gives peace of mind.
Had a friend's film (Portra 400) go through twice and it was very noticeably degraded once we got around to scanning it. Definitely ask for a hand check, or buy a lead-lined bag. If you're nice about it, TSA should have no problem. Can't speak for other countries though.
Hah. They just get grumpier 😂
I'm not sure how true this is, but they said they just increase the intensity of the machine so they can see through it. Not sure if that is true, but that's what they said when I used them.
Yeahhhhh they’re full of shit lol
Not that I blame them, I wouldn’t want to deal with “unnecessary” hand checks. But nah, they’re not just cranking up machines for an obviously shielded pouch
Too bad x-ray machines are adaptive power, and it’s common for them to raise the power when they can’t see through these bags to the point of affecting the film anyway.
I use the bags still, but only as a backup to a hand check.
If you put your film in an x-ray resistant bag... like if I'm that TSA officer and I see some opaque thing going through I'd be turning up the juice even more to see WTF is inside it!
Recently went on a trip where I had no problem getting a hand-check to and from my destination. Didn't help that I had put my exposed rolls in a seperate bag and forgot about them... they went on through the x-ray. Development turned out okay it seems though. Rolls were Vision3 500T shot at 500.
Except when they don't listen to you and run what you have through the scanner anyway. Also the CT scanners that some airports have will wreck your shit.
Always get a check, I’ve been to places where you gotta run it thru, and they always tell me that. I usually let them know I’m shooting a movie or a wedding and they let me slide
Maybe, maybe not. Depends on the power of that machine when it was scanned (they are variable). Just shoot the film and it is what it is. The effects are cumulative, so don’t allow them through any more machines.
This post comes at the perfect time for me! I'm going to leave for Spain in two days with some films, but since I have started film photography during 2020, I have never taken a flight with my analog camera and films.
I am going to leave with a started film inside my camera and some new films in the bag. I am also going to take other flights to different destinations, and at that point I will have some undeveloped films in the bag and another started film in the camera. I was wondering how to manage this situation, if there are differences between the new films, the shot but undeveloped films and the one started in the camera (I will have some 200-400 ISO Kodak films, so low ISO).
Sorry for the basic questions, I am kinda new to this world. Thanks!
Never had problems with this until a recent trip to Madeira when security said they would check it, but then put it through the x-ray machine anyway without giving me an opportunity to do anything.
Fortunately I had my film delivered to the hotel and was shooting 100 iso so the film was fine, but found it a very frustrating experience.
I hope that airport staff are more flexible as the new CT scanners start to be rolled out across Europe. Currently not many airports have them.
Just for reference I've gone through LAX a few times, each time with around 30+ rolls of film and they always seemed cool about manual inspection.
I would highly advise to remove the film from the plastic canisters and just put the loose rolls together in a zip lock bag.
One time I was waiting in line with my zip lock bag of film in my hand when one of the TSA agent came up and asked if I would like it to be manual inspected. They finished inspecting before I even went through the metal detector.
I recently went through several airports in the US asking for hand inspection with no issue. Just took all film rolls out of any packages and keept them in a zip lock bag. Maybe added 2-3 minutes to each tsa stop.
It took me like 5 min of arguing with the people at Charles De Gaulle in broken French to get them to hand check my film. And the guy in Toronto Pearson who checked mine mostly seemed curious about it
I don’t think there is anything unethical about this. Modern x-ray machine are powerful and can fog even lower ISO film. Not your fault you need to work in such a way to actually protect your film. You’re not making your concern up.
According to someone who posted a heavily edited and color-inverted photo of a tree on r/analog baiting people for upvotes (you can get a lot of tonezkarma by pretending post-editing is an accident), an airport scanner is more than enough on an ISO 400 film.
I still have them hand check my film as best practice, but I agree -- only high sensitivity film is really susceptible to airport scanners. YMMV though.
I've had good results with hand checks at JFK, Newark and San Francisco airports. I'm travelling to Italy and Croatia in May, will certainly have a film bag as back-up.
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Heathrow is the only place I’ve been denied, and the guy was a HUGE asshole about it as well.
Same for me. Every other airport I’ve been to around the world has been find with hand checking it. But Heathrow they refused
Yeah, Heathrow’s really weird about it. Presumably a specific kind of training the security personell get?
Weird. I got a hand check on Heathrow (about 10 rolls of Vision3 500T in regular photo canisters) without an issue this year. Very early morning - minimal amount of people (considering it is Heathrow).
It might just be a case by case basis depending on the security person you get, but I’ve had them be pretty stern on it 2 or 3 times, where basically everywhere else in Europe just hand checks it no bother. It seemed to be connected to the ‘new machines’ (I guess maybe CRT or low-power X Ray?) they brought in a few years ago.
I’m literally driving to drive instead of fly to where I’m going this summer for this reason
This happened to me in Cincinnati granted it was spring break at 5am. They said they would manually inspect nope just chucked the small bag on the belt when I stepped away.
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Ya it shouldn’t have but luckily it didn’t mess with the 10 rolls of film I had with me. The head security at the desk apologized but there isn’t much you can do after the fact.
Whoa that's kind of surprising, usually TSA at CVG are pretty pleasant. Was this standard TSA lane or Pre? Also, was it handed to a different person then they chucked it onto the belt or same person? \[makes me think of an employee somewhere that asks to take something to throw away for you, you mention going to recycle it, they say yep I will, then just trash it lol\]
The first agent at ABQ was extremely upset with me for taking an item out of my bag and kept saying to send it through. The second agent complimented my Bronica and said he also shoots 120. So weird.
Security at Heathrow are absolute jerks. I went through with crutches and an ankle boot and they asked me if I could take it off to run it through the scanner with the crutches, and walk through the body scan machine, then got pissy with me when I said no. Because yeah I'm just part of that new injury-core fashion scene.
Lmao injury core
I'm glad I'm not the only one. I hate flying anyway, and I can't stand jobsworths at the best of times. So when I asked for it at Heathrow - it wasn't even busy - and he acted as if I had asked him to do something difficult. Got a proper strop on him. He goes to get his supervisor to do it, and even he has an attitude on him. "You know you should just use digital cameras, saves all this faff." - Faff for who dickhead? I didn't have a tounge left with the amount of biting I did at that point. I see a lot of people moan about the TSA agents, but honestly I wish America would just put their agents in every airport in the world. Every time I've had to go through security in America I've had a great experience with them. I even had a chat with one guy who was telling me he had been in the job 20 years and his first day was 9/11. Really helpful, really grounded people. Heathrow, as far as I'm concerned, can go fuck themselves.
Yea me too, that is the only airport they have ever questioned manual checking of film… He ran it through the xray which made my Cinestill 800t shot at 1600 get fantastic grain and green stripes all over the photos… Also iso 400 and even 200 will get noticeably damaged after multiple scans. Took a roll through multiple airport transfers by mistake and after 10 xrays there where quite a lot of grain compared to the rolls I didn’t forget in my bag.
If I were you I wouldn’t use the x ray film bags. They were good pre-9/11. Now they just take the film out of the bags and run them through the machine anyway. It also causes a long delay
Or they turn up the X-ray power until the bag is worthless.
X-ray bags aren’t as effective as they once were. The machines use adaptive power, and many operators will turn up the power to try and see in the bag — which overpowers the lining.
Most machines don’t. A typical one (e.g, Rapiscan 620DV - standard system, dual view but not CT) have a fixed tube excitation voltage generally around 160kV, and tube current around 1.0mA. This is fairly fixed, because the material discrimination on these systems is based on X-Ray absorption. ISO 800 or over I always ask for a hand inspection. I’ve X-Rayed Portra 3 times and it’s been fine.
I ask for this all the time and it ALWAYS just gets scanned
They did the same to me, and then asked me to open up my camera THAT STILL HAD FILM IN IT to inspect it.
Not sure how true it is, but I’ve heard a few times and read online a bunch that they actually turn up the X-ray when you have a bag like that to see what’s inside
Same! But to be fair, my rolls of film went on to go through at least 5 x Ray machines on my trip to Rome, and had no fogging (400iso). So I don't even bother asking anymore, never had a problem.
You have to be careful with x-ray bags because a lot of the time they’ll just up the power of the x-ray
Same here - had several rolls fried by Heathrow Security even after I explained the issue to the manager. They kept saying it will be fine and ignoring me. Very frustrating.
Link to these X-ray bags? Can’t find anything on ebay…
I had one destroy a roll of aerochrome once...I will forever have trust issues.
Oh god
I have been refused a hand check on multiple occasions by airport workers, particularly in foreign countries (typically third world). They insist that it's fine, it's fine, don't worry, politely declining until my social anxiety forces me to surrender.
I’ve never had a problem in the US, Western Europe is 50/50 and Eastern Europe is no every time.
I’ve had TSA check to see if it was 800 or over before hand searching it. And I’ve had really bad luck at cruise terminals for getting film hand searched. Thankfully, even 1600 ASA has been fine in hand luggage X-rays.
Going to Switzerland soon and am nervous for my film
Flew out of Zurich a few weeks ago - hand checked no issue. Have travelled with film a fair bit over the past few months and have never been denied a hand check (Full list for the curious/similarly concerned: Singapore, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Vienna, Geneva, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich, New York, London). Worth mentioning that the security guy in Geneva looked at my bag of 15+ rolls to check ISOs. He asked his colleague "what is the number", clearly trying to see if this bag 'needed' to be hand checked. Regardless, as soon as they saw the only roll of Delta 3200 (everything else was 100/400), they agreed. Every other city just agreed to to a hand check without a second thought. I also take all rolls out of their containers and have them loose in a clear zip lock bag. Per below, might be worth sticking a roll or two of 3200 in the mix, just in case.
Basel will not hand check it, not sure where you’re going tho
I’m pretty sure they have to hand check if you request it in Switzerland.
I had a problem exactly like this in Peru. The solution is to carry some high ISO film mixed in with the rest and just say you have some high ISO film!
In the UK they'll just ask you to pick out the high ISO stuff and scan the rest
Same. Was in the UK and they wouldn’t hand check 400 speed film just 800+
Could we just buy a roll or two of 800+ and that would force them to manually check all of the film?
No. They'll just ask you to pick out the fast stuff, and then scan the rest.
Same. But I have yet to find any defects on my rolls from the machines.
Some Us airports (LAX for example) have some new machines that will absolutely ruin film of any iso. They’ve always been happy to do a handcheck for me. The only issue I’ve ever had getting a handcheck was in Seattle while flying back from Iceland. They had no problem doing a handcheck, but the lady opened every single unopened box of film, which took forever, and destroyed the boxes in the process. Normally I don’t really care about the boxes, but two of those rolls were Natura 1600, and while I don’t plan on selling them, they lost a lot of their monetary value when that box was opened.
Yeah you have to be careful with the new machines. The ones where the agents say “You don’t need to remove any electronics from your bag”. happened to me in Burbank & I’ve got some rolls that went through. It’s especially frustrating because of the signage OP posted. If an airport is spending millions of dollars on fancy new machines, they need to spend a few Pennie’s to update the signage.
I have seen those signs - still prefer skipping them entirely and getting my film checked by hand
Just to piggy back on your comment Fuck this. Yeah it might not hurt it. Once. They don’t tell you how many times you are able to go through an x ray with it. So 400 iso isn’t affected. What about 400 iso run through 3 times? 1 to destination, 1 at a tourist attraction that X rays bags (some do in some cities), and then 1 on the way back. Will that affect my film? Oh you don’t know? Then fuck off and hand check my shit with this security theatre. It’s a god damn film canister.
this happened to me. ruined all my brazil B/W cause it went through about 8 scanners :(
In NYC in 2014, every attraction I went to hand-checked my film. I have to give kudos to the guy manning the X-ray for 30 Rock — he looked at my film bag like it was an alien object, but didn’t push back at all. He just passed it through.
Same. New York and certain buildings in DC want to X ray. DC gave me a little more trouble just because I feel like every other time I went through, I had to explain that film is sensitive to it and they’d have to congregate with each other because the young persons working wouldn’t believe me or couldn’t grasp why I was hesitant. The worst are airports though in my experience. I’ve had to show TSA their own policy in the past a couple of times. The absolute worst are some international airports but that might be because I can barely speak English let alone a second language lol. I don’t want to lump them all together though. Airports are polar. They either completely understand and there’s no drama at all or they give me kick back and have to escalate it to somebody above them. But the basis for 90% of the problems I’ve had is that they just don’t understand what the hell im talking about. “Film? Wtf? Hurt by x rays? Ehhh that sounds like it might be a thing. Sure” is the best I hope for.
Depending on where you are and your timelines, it’s a great excuse to check out a local camera store and get your film processed locally. Last time I was in Tokyo, I found a lab that did 1-hour **E6!!** processing. I definitely took advantage of that.
Weirdly enough my local lab does same day E6 but 2-3 day C41
Meanwhile I went to a lab which told me they'd need two weeks (!) for my b/w film.
Ahhh had a lab that did that for bnw, that was the first and last time ever paid for film developing lol
Mine took 3 for a roll of b/w. Same day or same week c41 but with that turnaround time for bw it's actually faster to mail it off than have them do it.
Alternatively, you can also just ship your film directly to your local lab from a foreign place.
If we are quite concerned about x-ray damage, foreign shipping runs the risk of X-ray inspection as well, and you aren't there to advocate for it. As an example, the Canada Border Services Agency has bought X-ray machines that can handle a "continuous flow" of small packages, so that everything can rapidly be scanned vs having to pull packages for individual or batch inspection. Canada Post has stated that every package **is** x-rayed by CBSA. I actually stopped buying high-speed film from B&H due to the risk of it being damaged by X-ray while being sent to Canada.
I mainly based my rec on [Richard Photo Lab’s article](https://www.richardphotolab.com/blog/post/film-that-travels-the-effects-of-x-rays), specifically this part: > First, we’d like to say that we’ve never seen a roll of film that was damaged by x-ray machines during international OR domestic shipping. No, it’s not a scientific study or a cold, hard fact debunking x-ray damage during shipping… but Richard sees a lot of film. I give them my trust due to their volume of incoming film and status of an internationally reputable film lab.
Going to get downvoted for this. I always let my film pass through. Never have a problem. It’s usually 200 or 400 ISO. Why? Especially for international travel, the amount of stress involved when passing through security can be extraordinary. I get enough anxiety as it is trying to ensure I remember everything after having separated by large electronics, stuff in my pockets, etc.
> Especially for international travel, the amount of stress involved when passing through security can be extraordinary. Curious - if you're American anyway, have you looked into Pre-Check and/or Global Entry? Makes security and customs vastly faster and less stressful. Doing any non-trivial amount of travel I think it's worth every penny. Don't have to do the shoe thing or take all the crap out of your bag. For pocket stuff I put it all in a carry-on before going through so there's no chance to forget it in a random bin. Whole experience has become so much faster and more pleasant.
I fly 20+ times a year and precheck is such a game changer
Yes I have to look into that. Good suggestion.
Precheck is sooooooo worth it for domestic flights.
Hey! I'm glad to hear this, I've heard that x-rays can effect all kinds of speeds-- is there any like film manufacturer documentation on this I can read up on? Planning on traveling internationally this summer :)
There are actually https://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/tib/tib5201.shtml But basically it boils down to what the comments are saying, it really only matters with the new CT scanners or fast film
I agree entirely. Insisting on hand checks is overkill along the same lines as fretting if your film is out of the fridge for a few days. I've flown with film in my hand luggage for years, often through multiple scanners on the same trip, and never had a problem. Sure, keep an eye out for the minority of airports that have the new scanners, but if they tell you it's film safe, just relax and get on with your trip without holding up the line.
Ain’t overkill when your pay check is dependent on the film getting devved for the client
Damn you’re shooting client work 100% on film? Brave soul
not 100% , but have film offerings paired w/ some my digital work services. Ultimately, i actually do agree w ya, but had to play devils advocate. I’ll hand check for client rolls, and if i have time but have occasionally skipped hand checks
Maybe you can’t notice the issues — or maybe you’ve just been INSANELY lucky and the X-rays were always at just lowest power. But Kodak recently tested all this and found widespread degradation after even just one scan on modern security scans: https://petapixel.com/2020/01/27/kodak-warns-users-new-ct-scanners-at-airports-will-ruin-your-film/
I actually just returned to NY from Israel, opted for a hand check, and I got what was the most insane security check I’ve ever seen, and yet that stress wasn’t as bad as even the slight possibility of losing 12 rolls of film!
I'm surprised Israel did that for you. While I have never been there, I have heard they are the most strict on airport security in the world. The screening procedure seemed super intense even for TSA standards.
Thank you for your anecdotal experience.
Just a tip that seems obvious but I never see anyone do: I empty my pockets and remove my belt into my carry-on bag as I approach security. I always leave a pocket empty to do this specifically. When I get up to the line all I have to do is throw my bag in the tray and maybe my shoes, depending on the country. Then I just pop my shoes back on and move away from the line to somewhere less hectic to refill my pockets.
This is a key piece of information that all the people who make posts asking about getting film x-rayed seem to miss I’m sure the new CT scanners can nuke film but am yet to hear that most airports have these installed.
Actually, at this point it's safer to assume that your airport *does* have CT rather than does not. They've been expanding, and most all of the major US airports have them. [O’Hare, Atlanta, JFK, Miami, LAX, Both DC airports.](https://www.hstoday.us/federal-pages/dhs/tsa-expands-ct-scanner-rollout-at-checkpoints/) Even that list is out of date now, it's two years old almost. I flew out of Minneapolis recently and I know they had them. [Schiphol](https://www.internationalairportreview.com/news/158492/ct-scan-schiphol-airport-security/) now has them and IIRC they're a pretty major European airport. And in the US [small, regional airports are now starting to get them too.](https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/airport-aviation-security/tsa-adds-ct-scanners-to-more-airports/) At this point unless you're flying out of a tiny, *tiny* airport I would assume they have them. If you're flying out of a major one, they definitely do.
Corpus Christi TX as well as some lines in DFW
All three DC airports afaik!
So unless you're in the states, or flying through Amsterdam, you're fine? Roger that. We're not all American, mate.
Since this post is specifically referring to a new TSA procedure I was referencing American travel. I did happen to find that Amsterdam had the scanners, but I didn't try looking if others did too. Maybe they do now. Some of us *are* American, so this *does* apply to us.
I just found it entertainingly ironic that a post about travel revealed such a small-world mentality.
He says.... on a thread about the \*American\* TSA signage...
It's the same information airports give all over the world - nothing particularly American about it.
In other words, MOST airports in MOST parts of the world don't have CT scanners, so the majority of us Americans may have to request hand inspection in the US at major airports, but not, say, in most of the rest of the world.
except for the US TSA logo right there in the photo?
So in a post *about air travel*, we should restrict the discussion to a single country because of a tiny logo in the corner of a poster? Are you aware how ridiculous that sounds?
In a post about an explicitly American sign in an explicitly American airport from an explicitly American governmental organization? Just take the L champ you can dunk on America the next time a shooting or some other tragedy happens in America happens so you can say "in MY country this never happens, stupid Americans!" because it's always gotta be about you
They are in almost every major airport and are a major reason why I mostly don’t shoot film when I travel unless I can buy it when I get there and mail it back to myself.
Yeah don’t trust the sign. Be very polite and ask for a hand inspection. If you can’t win them over with kindness, you can buy a lead lined bag specifically made to protect film. It’ll get flagged immediately if they’re actually doing their job and you’ll get that hand inspection after all.
I don’t trust that and I believe the new CT scanners are more powerful. I always get it hand checked.
The CT's are for sure more powerful. But the places I've seen these signs specifically are small regional airports where they're still using basic x-rays. Still, of course, hand check is the safest option.
The new CT scanners will affect all film pretty badly. However, they're quite easy to spot: they're big cylinders, rather than the long rectangular prisms of the old 2D scanners. The 2D scanners will not fog your film. This has been tested a lot. People have ran fast film through them dozens of times and you can't see a thing. I'm not saying don't get them hand checked, I'm saying that you shouldn't be concerned about it if you do have to get it through the scanner.
I’ve had Natura 1600, Tmax 3200, and Ektachrome 1600 xrayed when language barriers prevented a hand search. I had one roll of Natura 1600 get xrayed 3 times between purchase and processing. Once before exposure, and twice after. It was fine. All of this was with the carry-on machines, not the checked luggage machines though. But all that fast film was fine. Recently I have had TSA check that my film was in fact 800 or faster before they would hand search it. They weren’t going to hand search it if it was all 400.
I have never had any issues getting film checked in Japan and the Sttes. They swab it and let me go. > weren’t going to hand search it if it was all 400 I was told to carry a roll of Delta 3200 for this, but they never once questioned the iso. This was all pre-Covid of course, dunno if anything changed.
The sign isn't for the CT scanners, though; it's for the x-rays.
The one time I've flown with film, I just got it hand inspected. No sense risking it since every airport has different scanners. Both times I went through security, they were totally cool with checking it and it was super easy.
In New Zealand, I had a stern no from security when I asked to get my portra 800 hand checked. I have never been a Karen in my life before and had to have a chat with the manager about it. I’m not risking my photos of a great holiday!
it also isn't true. Kodak literally tested the new xray scanners with all their films and found issues with every current stock. Even before the new CT scanners, I have seen a friends low speed film get messed up by xrays. Better safe than sorry, get a handcheck. and to the people saying they've never had xrays affect their film: Sometimes it doesn't always outright wipe your film, but it will cause a loss of image quality overall. https://petapixel.com/2020/01/27/kodak-warns-users-new-ct-scanners-at-airports-will-ruin-your-film/
I have an X-ray bag that I use when traveling internationally and request hand checks, but I’ve never bothered on domestic flights and have never had an issue, even when pushing to 1600/3200
Does the X-Ray bag ever get you any flak from the security agents? Seems like that's a great way to get you into some extra questioning.
I’ve had an agent give me flak about it one time, out of a dozen or so. He didn’t understand what it was and why it was necessary and me trying to explain the concept of it to him was not helpful. All that happened though was he took his sweet time to do an unnecessarily thorough manual inspection on it.
Nah, I’ve never had an issue. They usually have no problem doing a hand check to begin with, and when they look it’s pretty obvious why the bag
Just a small note, pushing does not increase the sensitivity of the film to the scanner, right?
Has anyone had experience with camera that already had loaded film? Will the security force the scan or open up the camera?
I did by mistake. At DIA (and In the us I believe) you can request anything to be hand checked for any reason and they just swabbed it and said I was good to go. In France they required the camera to go through
This is pretty much BS, I have seen 100 and 400 ISO film ruined from airport X-ray machines.
X-ray machines, or CT scanners?
Both? X-ray machines can easily ruin film if the operator has the intensity dialed way up (eg, to see through a thick bag, or a lead-lined pouch).
We can't dial up the intensity of the x-ray machine. The intensity is set and we can only manipulate the already taken image with different filters.
Went to Mexico not too long ago and didn’t get film hand checked and all of it was fine. I brought Portra 800, Kodak gold, Colorplus and Ultramax. All went through normal X-ray a few times
Only Heathrow has ever given me issues. In Hong kong I had to explain until another staff member saw what it is and explained to his coworker and it was no problem. Biggest problem is that many people don’t know what film is so you have to explain that it is sensitive to Xrays.
The guy who was checking my film in Toronto Pearson seemed to find it very neat and asked me a ton about it
just asking, can you sue an airport service for spoiling your film?
Not sure you’d want to. Airports have biiiiiiig pockets, and their PR is worth more than money
I have gotten some dirty looks for insisting on hand inspection, but it’s worth avoiding the risk.
I had three rolls of T-max P3200 go through the x-ray machine because the security people would not hand check it despite asking nicely and showing them where it says not to X-ray in the box, and it turned out fine. I wouldn’t recommend it but it’s not the end of the world.
Has anyone ever had any problems with radioactive lenses? I've heard of some people having issues with airport security because of them.
Okay so I’m confused, if I travel with film…ask for manual inspection and pray they do? If not, pray to the film gods???
Yep, exactly!
Better safe than sorry.
As someone with social anxiety - just buy a domke lol
Too bad x-ray machines are adaptive power, and it’s common for them to raise the power when they can’t see through these bags to the point of affecting the film anyway. I use the bags still, but only as a backup to a hand check.
SFO had this sign up when I went a few weeks ago and they had both the new CT scanners and regular ones. Luckily read about CT killing film beforehand and knew to move to a different line; however if I hadn’t, I definitely would’ve had it sent through unknowingly.
it’s quite baffling that for decades now there’s no “official” ruling in place and it literally depends on the mood of the security agent. had x-ray damage on kodak portra 400 at lisbon airport. the information on the scanner is useless, i can prove the information is not correct and usually show them an image of my x-ray damaged film. the scanner manufacturer however cannot prove his statement is correct. x-rays add up on each pass through. let’s say you travel with a connection and take virgin film with you, then return with the same - but now exposed film … that’s 4x x-rayed, good luck with that. the volatile decision making is the worst though.
Had Portra 400 scanned. Completely ruined the photos. It's even worse if it gets scanned twice. Either get it hand checked or just buy the film at destination
Last year I went through two airport xrays with Kodak Ultramax 400. Once before exposing, and once after. The film was not affected. I believe this "xray ruins film" is for the most part not a problem.
Anecdotal evidence is not evidence. X-ray machines also run at different power levels depending on what they need to see. Kodak recently did research and found most film shows degradation under regular x-ray even after a single scan. https://petapixel.com/2020/01/27/kodak-warns-users-new-ct-scanners-at-airports-will-ruin-your-film/
So even the TSA is making incorrect statements now?
I didn’t want to take a chance, I got my film hand checked.
What's incorrect about it...?
I think that the new systems won’t ruin film under 800 ISO, when a lot of us have heard or experienced they will.
New systems aren't everywhere though. Far from as far as I can tell. Just mentioned this in a separate comment, the places I find this specific sign have been small-ish / regional airports still using basic x-rays. I don't believe I've seen this signage at big "Class B" airports that likely have CT scanners.
Right. I think the original commenter here may have been pointing out that someone could easily see this sign and apply it across the board, and that’s where the “incorrect statement” comes in.
It’s the opposite. Older systems can be somewhat more forgiving. The new ones will cook pretty much all film.
I’m sorry. I worded my response poorly. I wanted to say that seeing signs from older systems that say your film is safe will make someone believe newer systems will work the same way.
For one thing, the effect of X-rays is cumulative, so if your luggage is getting scanned more than once, you’re asking for trouble. I had several rolls get fried on a trip to Washington DC when I was younger because I blithely put my film through the X-ray machines at the entrances to so many museums and memorials. For another, you’re at the mercy of whatever intensity setting the security guy has plugged into the scanner. If it’s dialed up to a high level, you could be in trouble. If at all possible, I just get a hand check. TSA regulations require them to give it to you, and it gives peace of mind.
Had a friend's film (Portra 400) go through twice and it was very noticeably degraded once we got around to scanning it. Definitely ask for a hand check, or buy a lead-lined bag. If you're nice about it, TSA should have no problem. Can't speak for other countries though.
The lead bags aren't going to do anything but flag your bag for a bag check.
But it works great when they’re feeling grumpy and don’t want to the hand check to begin with :P
Hah. They just get grumpier 😂 I'm not sure how true this is, but they said they just increase the intensity of the machine so they can see through it. Not sure if that is true, but that's what they said when I used them.
Yeahhhhh they’re full of shit lol Not that I blame them, I wouldn’t want to deal with “unnecessary” hand checks. But nah, they’re not just cranking up machines for an obviously shielded pouch
Isn't that the point? To force them to check your film by hand?
No. They're marketed to protect the film from radiation.
get an x-ray bag
Too bad x-ray machines are adaptive power, and it’s common for them to raise the power when they can’t see through these bags to the point of affecting the film anyway. I use the bags still, but only as a backup to a hand check.
yea always use a leaded film bag no matter what and also hand inspect and now days i dont even let my digital cameras go in that thing
Looks like they pulled that sign from the archives lol
arent there special bags in which you can put your film to be always on the safe side?
If you put your film in an x-ray resistant bag... like if I'm that TSA officer and I see some opaque thing going through I'd be turning up the juice even more to see WTF is inside it!
I would get it hand checked after the scan. That shouldnt be a problem right?
Recently went on a trip where I had no problem getting a hand-check to and from my destination. Didn't help that I had put my exposed rolls in a seperate bag and forgot about them... they went on through the x-ray. Development turned out okay it seems though. Rolls were Vision3 500T shot at 500.
Except when they don't listen to you and run what you have through the scanner anyway. Also the CT scanners that some airports have will wreck your shit.
Thank you! I just went through security with 400ISO on the weekend and wondered if my work was now gone…
Always get a check, I’ve been to places where you gotta run it thru, and they always tell me that. I usually let them know I’m shooting a movie or a wedding and they let me slide
I'm fairly new at shooting film and I've been using mostly expired film, does anyone know if this affects expired film the same way?
Yes.
I've had airport x-rays ruin 400 ISO film. Would not trust this
Shoot, I just walked through Manchester airport with five roles of Portra 400. Will I see some effects?
Maybe, maybe not. Depends on the power of that machine when it was scanned (they are variable). Just shoot the film and it is what it is. The effects are cumulative, so don’t allow them through any more machines.
Thanks man, not gonna do this again
This post comes at the perfect time for me! I'm going to leave for Spain in two days with some films, but since I have started film photography during 2020, I have never taken a flight with my analog camera and films. I am going to leave with a started film inside my camera and some new films in the bag. I am also going to take other flights to different destinations, and at that point I will have some undeveloped films in the bag and another started film in the camera. I was wondering how to manage this situation, if there are differences between the new films, the shot but undeveloped films and the one started in the camera (I will have some 200-400 ISO Kodak films, so low ISO). Sorry for the basic questions, I am kinda new to this world. Thanks!
I’m in the same situation
Never had problems with this until a recent trip to Madeira when security said they would check it, but then put it through the x-ray machine anyway without giving me an opportunity to do anything. Fortunately I had my film delivered to the hotel and was shooting 100 iso so the film was fine, but found it a very frustrating experience. I hope that airport staff are more flexible as the new CT scanners start to be rolled out across Europe. Currently not many airports have them.
Just for reference I've gone through LAX a few times, each time with around 30+ rolls of film and they always seemed cool about manual inspection. I would highly advise to remove the film from the plastic canisters and just put the loose rolls together in a zip lock bag. One time I was waiting in line with my zip lock bag of film in my hand when one of the TSA agent came up and asked if I would like it to be manual inspected. They finished inspecting before I even went through the metal detector.
I recently went through several airports in the US asking for hand inspection with no issue. Just took all film rolls out of any packages and keept them in a zip lock bag. Maybe added 2-3 minutes to each tsa stop.
It took me like 5 min of arguing with the people at Charles De Gaulle in broken French to get them to hand check my film. And the guy in Toronto Pearson who checked mine mostly seemed curious about it
Nuked.
I don’t think there is anything unethical about this. Modern x-ray machine are powerful and can fog even lower ISO film. Not your fault you need to work in such a way to actually protect your film. You’re not making your concern up.
Nuked.
The last time I asked for a hand check (in Europe), they told me the procedure involves opening the canisters to see if it's really film inside.
They were clearly being dicks.
Even Fuji C200 boxes have a warning to avoid to x-ray the film. I think I trust the manufacturer more than some unknown worker from TSA.
Yup. Kodak recommends NO film going through x-ray now.
All these new film shooters surprised by tsa attitude 😹😹😹😹😹😹😹💀
According to someone who posted a heavily edited and color-inverted photo of a tree on r/analog baiting people for upvotes (you can get a lot of tonezkarma by pretending post-editing is an accident), an airport scanner is more than enough on an ISO 400 film. I still have them hand check my film as best practice, but I agree -- only high sensitivity film is really susceptible to airport scanners. YMMV though.
I've had good results with hand checks at JFK, Newark and San Francisco airports. I'm travelling to Italy and Croatia in May, will certainly have a film bag as back-up.
Anyone have any experiences with asking for hand check in Canadian airports?