Lois Larson
Travelling with film can be a stressful experience for photographers, especially with the ever-evolving technology of airport security. While it is possible to take film through airport security, there are some important considerations to keep in mind to ensure your film stays safe. Firstly, it is recommended to always carry film in your hand luggage, as checked baggage goes through high-powered scanners that can damage film. Secondly, traditional X-ray scanners typically do not harm film under 800 ISO, but it is still advisable to request a hand check to be safe, especially if your trip involves multiple flights or transfers. Finally, when going through security, it is helpful to remove film from packaging and place it in a clear ziplock bag, making it easier for inspection and reducing the risk of accidental exposure. With these precautions, photographers can confidently bring their film through airport security and capture their travel memories.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I take film through airport security? | Yes, but there are some limitations. |
| What type of scanners are used at airports? | X-ray scanners and CT scanners. |
| How do I know if a CT scanner is being used? | Airport staff will not ask you to remove liquids from your bag. |
| What type of film is affected by X-ray scanners? | Film rated at 800 ISO or lower isn't likely to be affected by standard X-ray machines. |
| What type of film is affected by CT scanners? | CT scanners can damage even slower-speed film. |
| What can I do to protect my film from damage? | Place film in a clear ziplock bag or a "Do Not X-Ray" pouch. Keep it easily accessible in a side pocket of your carry-on. Request a hand check. |
| Where should I keep my film during the flight? | Film should always be kept in your carry-on luggage, never in checked baggage. |
| Can I avoid bringing film through airport security? | Yes, you can buy film locally or have it mailed to your destination. You can also mail your exposed film home before returning. |
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What You'll Learn
X-ray machines can fog and ruin film
X-ray machines at airports can fog and ruin film. The scanners and X-ray machines used for luggage inspection produce light energy to which film is sensitive. Traditional damage by radiation causes fogging on your negatives, resulting in a loss of detail and colour accuracy. Fogged film typically appears as soft-edged bands 1/4 to 3/8 inch (1 to 1.5 cm) wide. The orientation of the fog stripe depends on the orientation of the film in the scanner relative to the X-ray beam. The X-ray banding is often linear or wavy running lengthwise or horizontally on the film.
The newer CT scanners at airports are more powerful than traditional X-ray machines and can be particularly harmful to film. The increased radiation dose emitted by CT scanners can cause irreversible damage to your film, resulting in a substantial loss of detail in the shadows and a significant amount of grain. The more airports and CT scanners you go through, the more likely it is that the damaging effects will increase.
To avoid damage to your film, it is recommended to ask a TSA agent for a hand-check when bringing film through TSA checkpoints. Most TSA checkpoints state that film rated at 800 ISO or lower is not likely to be affected by standard X-ray machines. However, it is still recommended to request a hand-check, especially if your trip includes multiple flights or airport transfers.
When travelling with film, it is also recommended to carry your film in a clear plastic zip-lock-style bag, with a "Do Not X-Ray" label, and to keep it in your hand luggage. Luggage that goes into the hold of the plane will be X-rayed with harsher machines than hand luggage. Additionally, consider mailing exposed rolls of film directly to a photo processing lab before flying home, or buying film locally at your destination.
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CT scanners can damage film
CT scanners are becoming increasingly common in airports, especially in the United States. These scanners are significantly more powerful than traditional X-ray machines, and that added strength can mean serious damage to unprocessed film. In fact, just one pass through a CT scanner can damage a roll, which makes taking film through airport security a concern for film photographers.
CT scanners use much stronger rays than traditional X-ray scanners, and film is sensitive to light energy. This means that CT scanners can fog and/or ruin film. Kodak, Fujifilm, and ILFORD have issued warnings about CT scanners causing serious damage to unprocessed film, including "fogging", distortion in shadow detail, and general image degradation.
Experiments have been conducted to test the impact of CT scanners on film. One experiment found that film that had been through a CT scanner showed clear signs of base fog, with the orange base appearing significantly darker. Another experiment found that a roll that went through a CT scanner after photos had been taken but before developing showed a noticeable decrease in the level of detail in the shadows.
To avoid damage to film, photographers should request a hand-check when bringing film through TSA checkpoints. Most U.S. agents are more than willing to accommodate this request, especially when the film is easily accessible in a clear ziplock bag or a "Do Not X-Ray" film pouch. It is also recommended to carry film in hand luggage, as the scanners used for checked baggage are more powerful and more likely to damage film.
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Keep film in hand luggage
Keeping film in your hand luggage is the recommended way to transport film when travelling by air. Luggage that goes into the hold of the plane will be x-rayed with harsher machines than those used for hand luggage, and these machines are more likely to damage your film.
Even with hand luggage, however, there are some precautions you should take to protect your film. Firstly, it is recommended that you remove film from all canisters and packaging ahead of time and place it in a clear ziplock bag or a "do not x-ray" pouch. Keep it easily accessible, such as in a side pocket of your carry-on bag, so that it can be quickly inspected by security.
Secondly, it is important to know what type of scanner is being used at the airport. Traditional X-ray scanners typically do not harm film under 800 ISO, but CT scanners, which are becoming increasingly common, are much more powerful and can damage film. To avoid potential damage, you can request a hand-check of your film. This is usually not a problem, especially at U.S. airports, but it is recommended that you allow extra time to get through security, as it may slow down their workflow.
Finally, it is worth noting that some airports may refuse hand-scanning requests, particularly outside of the U.S. For this reason, it may be worth considering travelling with a digital camera or mailing your film home before you leave. Alternatively, you can buy film locally or have it delivered to your accommodation, depending on your destination.
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Request hand-checks at security
If you are a film photographer, you may worry about airport security scanners damaging your unprocessed film. While traditional X-ray machines are unlikely to affect film rated at 800 ISO or lower, the newer and more powerful CT scanners can seriously damage your film.
To avoid this, you can request a hand-check at security. First, make sure your film is easily accessible, stored in a clear ziplock bag or a “Do Not X-Ray” pouch in the side pocket of your carry-on bag. Then, inform the TSA agent that you are carrying photographic film and politely request a manual inspection. This is usually not a problem, especially at U.S. airports, and most TSA agents are familiar with such requests. However, it may slow down their workflow, so it is recommended to allow extra time to get through security.
If you are travelling home, you may be able to skip the TSA line by using a postage-paid film mailer. These are available in some countries and allow you to send your exposed film directly to a lab for developing, avoiding any potential damage from airport scanners.
Alternatively, depending on your destination, you may be able to buy film locally or have it mailed to your lodgings. This way, you can avoid bringing film through airport security altogether and only need to arrange for processing and shipping after you have captured your shots.
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Don't use lead-lined film bags
While lead-lined film bags can block standard X-rays, they are ineffective against CT scanners, which are increasingly being used in airports. CT scanners are much stronger and can see through the lead, often resulting in more damage to your film. If you are carrying a lead bag, the TSA will likely ask you to remove it for inspection.
Instead, it is recommended to use a clear plastic zip-lock bag, which is familiar to the TSA. You can also use a “Do Not X-Ray” film pouch, which is more durable and clearly communicates your request to the TSA. These pouches are ideal for travel and film organization and come in different sizes.
If you are concerned about potential damage to your film, you can request a hand check for your carry-on bag. Most TSA agents are familiar with hand-scanning requests, especially in the US, and it is usually not a problem. However, it is important to be patient and polite, as hand-scanning slows down their workflow.
Additionally, consider mailing your unexposed film directly to your destination or buying film locally when you arrive, especially if you are travelling to a big city or staying at a high-end hotel. This can help you avoid the hassle and risk of taking film through airport security altogether.
Remember, while most films under 800 ISO can go through standard X-ray scanners with no effect, CT scanners can damage even slower-speed film. So, if possible, try to find out beforehand if the airport you are travelling through uses CT scanners, and always keep your film in your carry-on luggage.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can take film through airport security, but there are some limitations. Firstly, always keep film in your hand luggage. Secondly, you can ask airport security to check your rolls of film by hand. Thirdly, you can avoid airport security altogether by sending your film to a lab before you make your way back.
Remove film from all canisters and packaging ahead of time. Place film in a clear ziplock bag or a bag with a Do Not X-Ray label. Keep it easily accessible – store it in a side pocket of your carry-on.
Most rolls of film under 800 ISO can go through a few x-ray scanners with no effect. However, X-ray scanners can fog and/or ruin your film. CT scanners, which are becoming more common in airports, are even more powerful and can damage your film.
