We are traveling to Bonaire Wednesday and bringing Digital Video camera, regular digital camera, and 35MM camera with film. Should we check the film or put it in our carry-on on the way down? How about after it is exposed for the return trip? Does airport screening equipment have any effect on digital memory cards and digital video tape either before or after it is used? How about Cd's that have been used to copy photos from the digital cameras? We have usually carried all the above with us in the past but with the newer screening equipment used at the airports I am wondering what is the safest way to transport our photo equipment. We are traveling Chicago to Montego Bay to Bonaire.
Thanks for your help.
Tom

Tom -

This link to the Transportation Security Administration site gives you the official word on film and screening (the short answer: yes, new screening equipment will damage your film; no, it won't damage digital media).

http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1035.xml.

While we've not traveled with film recently, I can say we've traveled with digital compact flash cards and digital still cameras and had no problems. In all cases we have put the cameras and flash cards in carry-on luggage.

Hope this helps.

Charles Poteet
Dallas

Charles
Thanks for the link. It is good to see the official word on cameras and film. We will be taking mostly digital photos but my wife has a underwater film camera and would hate to get home and find all her pictures GREEN! Of course then we would just have to schedule a trip back to Bonaire ASAP to retake her pictures.

Now for the decision - do I let her pack her film in the carry on or check it!!!

Tom

Tom, you want any film in your carry on, the checked baggage x-ray will kill film. Actually the best thing to do with film is remove it from cans, put in a clear plastic bag (make sure you have one roll of ASA 800 film) and ask for a hand inspection at security. Even the carry on xray can do some damage with multiple passes.

I have found that film still in the sealed box (and can) is quickly cleared. I hand it to the screener in a clear 'ziploc' style bag for easy ident.