It has been years since I have flown commercial, what is the procedure to get film through the security check points (x-ray machine) without getting it destroyed????

To the best of my knowledge Tod (and I'm not really an expert on this), film speed 400 or slower can be X-rayed without damaging/exposing the film; however, film speed 800 or faster cannot be X-rayed without damage, so it must be hand checked instead. Perhaps this varies from airport to airport.

Do not pack film in your checked baggage. The x-ray machines used to scan checked baggage are stronger than the x-ray machines used to scan carry-on luggage.

You can purchase a lead-lined bag at your local camera store. This provides some protection. I always hand deliver my film to the security attendant and ask them to personally look at it rather than putting it on the belt to be x-rayed.

Tod there have been some long discussions on this subject and the best advice I've heard is the following. DO NOT CHECK FILM, EXPOSED OR UNEXPOSED. This will kill the film. Place all your film in a clear plastic bag and have this hand inspected. If you want to be really sneaky put one roll of high speed film in the bag so they have to hand inspect it.

Reasons are as follows, Even low speed film can be degraded by multi-passes through the lower power gate x-rays. Also the operator may stop the belt with your bag under the x-ray and giving it a bigger dose. The lead lined bags are costly, don't give enough protection and will guarantee a hand inspection anyway (big black blob on the x-ray). Best advice go digital.

Cecil's right... even low speed film is subject to damage if it's screened multiple times. For those of us who haven't gone digital (yet!), the Transportation Security Administration's web site provides information and guidelines for traveling with film:
http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=56

That noted, be prepared to have your request for hand screening of film refused, even when you follow all the TSA instructions. I've experienced extreme resistance and delays - even when providing a printout of the TSA web pages regarding film. At some airports (Charlotte comes to mind) I've seen signs clearly stating that low speed film won't be hand-checked. Twice at BWI airport, I was hauled aside and loudly scolded as a "problem passenger" for requesting a film hand-check.

I eventually persevered by remaining calm (outwardly... inside I was at the boiling point), patiently repeating my request for hand screening of my film, and responding to the loud, rude treatment I received in a polite and respectful manner. After the second BWI experience, I contacted the TSA and asked how to request and receive a hand screening of film without all this aggravation. No response from them.

So, make sure you have plenty of time before your flight and stay calm!

--Deborah

I like Cecil's suggestion of having one or two rolls of high speed film in your supply! I'm definitely going to do that next time because I too have had a few problems with screeners not wanting to hand check my film.

I think this problem will probably get even worse if the government does eliminate many of the screeners making the remaining ones feel that much more overworked.

Just returned from our first Bonaire trip and this was the first time airport personnel REFUSED my polite begging to perform visual inspection of my films. This occurred in the airports at Toronto, Miami and San Juan. I shot 12 rolls of 400 this trip, and the quality of my photos is disappointing. i am sure that the multiple x-rays affected my exposures. I am really angry about this. Thanks for listening.

deb, I would be angry too. that's outrageous. what difference could it make to them???

Niki, the TSA screeners who've given me a hard time about hand checking my film were, unfortunately, NOT oriented toward good service, not pleasant in general, and appeared to be trying to exert the absolute minimum amount of effort to do their jobs. It would be nice if the TSA would remind their screeners that current policy is to hand check film upon request, so those of us who ask aren't treated so rudely. I won't hold my breath for a change in attitude, though! --Deborah

Some very good points have been made. In particular, the difference between exposure levels employed on checked luggage vs. carry-on luggage. My original reply was assuming the film would be carried on your person; hence, only be subject to the carry-on X-ray machine and not the checked luggage X-ray machine.

I always transport film in a carry-on backpack. A few times I've had 200 and 400 speed film scanned due to temporary brain-fart; however, I've never noticed degradation. Perhaps I was fortunate.

The times I've requested hand-checking, I've never had a problem. It appears I was quite fortunate. In most cases, the apparently complex and time-consuming procedure of hand-checking consisted of placing the film roll in their hand and turning it over a few times while glancing at it. I believe the average time spent on this procedure was about 6 seconds per roll. I wonder if this procedure is sanctioned by the TSA.

I cannot argue with the "go digital" solution offered by Cecil; however, I realize that solution doesn't appeal to everyone.

You could also develop your film on Bonaire. Not cheap, but we do have several companies which develop film and make prints (if you use print film). A lot tougher to destroy developed film with X-Rays :-)

Jake

There ya go Folks !!! AND you get to support the economy of Bonaire...

I purchased a lead bag which holds 24 rolls and keep it in my camera case.. It sets off an immediate security check--as the screeners can't figure out what they are looking at-- so they automaticaly do a hand search.. of everything--- but at least the film stays safe.

Thanks again for the help ;-)

31 days and counting......

I had a bad experience in Miami. After I asked to have my film hand inspected I was told that it does not damage the lower speed films - I had 200 and 400. I produced my Federal Aviation printout Sec. 108.7 where it states: If requested by passengers, their photographic equipment and film packages shall be inspected without exposure to an X-ray system. I have this highlighted. The inspector in charge informed me that he is the Federal Aviation and he chooses not to inspect the film. Our flight was delayed by 6 hours (DCA).
This gave me time to wait until the rude person went to lunch and I had my film hand-inspected.
After this flight I have been marking all my film 800 and no problems!

Best solution of all: Go digital

I use 100 ISO film and have never had a problem with X-Ray damage with the film in my carryon. However, I like the idea of the lead pouch to force hand inspection. I may try it. As far as getting rid of my Nikonos V and going digital, it's just a matter of resources.
Tony

Take names, badge numbers, date, time, everything. Complain somewhere it might help. Please, go ahead and complain here too!
I hate petty tyrants, like all those dweebs demanding I take my shoes off. Why in the heck do they think I chose these shoes in the first place? My Tevas are metal free.
I really like the lead film package solution. I find it's a singular event when they DON'T go all through my carry on, last rip to BON was the first time, maybe ever, that they let it go through.

The lead-lined bag tends to create some curiosity from the TSA people. During our return trip from Bon in July, we had a long layover in San Juan. We decided to leave the airport and tour Old SJ for a few hours. Upon our return to the airport, we had to go through security. My husband had a few rolls of slide film (50 or 100 speed) in the lead bag and asked the TSA lady to hand inspect the film rather than put it through the x-ray machine. I think the lady was too impressed with the bag to even inspect the film. She took longer than usual because she was really admiring the bag and asking where to buy one. We had our shoes back on and carry-ons off the belt ready to head to the gate and she was still looking at the bag! Kind of scary when you think about it! She was not really doing her job as a TSA rep, but our film didn't have to go through the machine!