Sachin Walls
Travelling with film can be a nerve-wracking experience for photographers, especially with the constant evolution of airport security technology. The introduction of CT scanners, which use much more powerful rays than traditional X-ray machines, has raised concerns about potential damage to film. While there is a lot of misinformation and fear-mongering around this issue, it's important to be aware of the risks and take precautions to ensure your film stays safe. So, can you take film through airport security? The short answer is yes, but there are some crucial things to keep in mind.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can film be taken through airport security? | Yes, but there are some limitations. |
| What type of film can be taken through airport security? | Most rolls of film under 800 ISO can go through a few x-ray scanners with no effect. |
| What type of film cannot be taken through airport security? | Film rated at 800 ISO or above may be affected by standard X-ray machines. Film of any ISO will be damaged by CT scanners. |
| How to safely transport film through airport security? | Place film in a clear ziplock bag or a Do Not X-Ray pouch. Keep it easily accessible in the side pocket of your carry-on. Request a hand check. |
| Where to keep the film during air travel? | Film should always be kept in hand luggage. Checked baggage goes through high-powered CT scanners that can damage the film. |
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What You'll Learn
X-ray scanners and film ISO
Most airport authorities and film photographers advise that film with an ISO speed of 800 or higher is more likely to be affected by X-ray scanning. Lower ISO films, such as ISO 100 or ISO 50, are generally considered safe for X-ray scanning, but even these slower films can be impacted by multiple or higher-power X-ray blasts. Therefore, it is always best to request a hand check whenever possible to avoid any potential issues.
When travelling with film, it is recommended to remove it from all canisters and packaging and place it in a clear ziplock bag or a "Do Not X-Ray" film pouch. Keep your film easily accessible in a carry-on bag, as checked baggage goes through more powerful X-ray scanners that can cause irreversible damage to your film. Even the best processing labs may not be able to recover fogged or damaged film.
To further minimise the risk of X-ray damage, some photographers use lead film bags as a backup, although these are not always effective against stronger X-ray machines and may raise suspicion with TSA agents. A more reliable option is to use film mailers, which allow you to send your exposed film directly to a lab for developing, bypassing the need for hand checks and X-ray scanners altogether.
Overall, when travelling with film, it is crucial to be prepared and proactive. Request hand checks whenever possible, use appropriate film pouches or mailers, and be respectful and polite to TSA agents. By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your film remains safe and undamaged during your travels.
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CT scanners and film damage
CT scanners at airports are becoming increasingly common in the US. These scanners are more powerful than traditional X-ray machines and can cause serious damage to unprocessed film. Film manufacturers warn that CT scanners are unsafe for films of all speeds.
CT scanners use multiple X-ray scans from different angles to build a 3D model of the scanned object. The power of the X-rays is controlled by the operator and depends on the opacity of the objects being scanned. This means that some scans from the same machine will damage film while others will not.
CT scanners can cause fogging on film, which is a form of image degradation where the film's base becomes darker. This type of damage is irreversible and cannot be fixed, even by the best processing labs.
To avoid potential damage to your film when passing through airport security, it is recommended to take the following precautions:
- Always carry your film in your hand luggage. Never put film in checked baggage as these go through high-powered CT scanners that can damage your film.
- Remove film from all canisters and packaging ahead of time and place it in a clear ziplock bag or a “Do Not X-Ray” film pouch.
- Keep your film easily accessible in a side pocket of your carry-on bag.
- Request a hand check of your film by politely informing the TSA agent that you are carrying photographic film and asking for a manual inspection.
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Hand luggage vs. checked baggage
If you're a film photographer, you may have wondered whether it's safe to take film through airport security. The short answer is yes, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Here's a breakdown of the key considerations for hand luggage vs. checked baggage when travelling with film:
Hand Luggage:
- Always keep your film in your carry-on bag. Luggage that goes into the hold will be x-rayed with more powerful machines, which can damage the film.
- Remove the film from all canisters and packaging and place it in a clear ziplock bag or a "Do Not X-Ray" pouch. This makes it easier for security staff to check your film.
- Keep your film easily accessible, such as in a side pocket of your carry-on bag, so you can quickly retrieve it for inspection.
- Request a hand check of your film whenever possible. While most film under 800 ISO is unlikely to be affected by standard X-ray machines, a hand check is the safest option to avoid any potential damage.
- Be prepared and confident when requesting a hand check. Arrive at the airport early, and approach the eldest security agents, who are more likely to be familiar with film.
- Keep your film in your hand luggage until you reach your destination. Do not load your camera with film until you arrive.
Checked Baggage:
- Never put film in your checked baggage, including film inside cameras. The high-intensity screening technology used for checked luggage will ruin any film, exposed or unexposed.
- If you have no other option but to put film in your checked baggage, be aware that exposure from checked baggage scanners can fog the film, causing irreversible damage.
- Consider mailing exposed rolls of film directly to a photo lab before flying home, rather than risking damage from airport scanners.
In summary, when travelling with film, always keep it in your hand luggage and request a hand check whenever possible. Avoid putting film in your checked baggage, as the powerful scanners used can cause serious and irreversible damage to your film. With proper planning and preparation, you can ensure your film stays safe and secure throughout your travels.
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Preparing film for security checks
Keep Film in Your Carry-On:
Never put film in your checked baggage. The scanners used for checked luggage have much stronger X-rays or CT scanners, which can fog or damage your film. Always keep your film with you in your carry-on bag.
Use a Clear Plastic Bag:
Remove your film from its original packaging and place it in a clear plastic bag, such as a Ziploc bag. This makes it easier for security staff to inspect and reduces the risk of accidental exposure.
Request a Hand Check:
When going through security, politely request a hand inspection of your film. While X-ray machines with lower ISO film are usually safe, CT scanners can damage your film. Asking for a hand check ensures your film avoids any potential damage. Arrive at the airport early to increase your chances of accommodating this request.
Be Respectful and Confident:
When interacting with security staff, be respectful, confident, and diligent. Keep an eye on your film during the inspection to ensure it is handled correctly. If you have film in your camera, inform the staff and ask them not to open the back of the camera, as this can fog your film.
Check Airport Equipment:
Before your trip, check if your departure and arrival airports use CT scanners. Some sources suggest that if you don't need to remove liquids or laptops, the scanner is likely a CT scanner. Knowing this in advance can help you plan and take extra precautions, such as requesting a hand check.
Consider Alternative Options:
If you are unable to get a hand check or are concerned about potential damage, consider mailing your exposed rolls to a photo lab for developing. This option ensures your film bypasses airport security altogether, giving you peace of mind.
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International variations in security
North America (USA and Canada)
TSA checkpoints in the United States state that film rated at 800 ISO or lower is unlikely to be affected by standard X-ray machines. However, the newer and more powerful CT scanners can cause serious damage to unprocessed film. Most TSA agents are accommodating of requests for hand-checks, especially if the film is easily accessible and removed from its packaging. To make the process smoother, some companies offer Do Not X-Ray film pouches, which are ideal for travel and clearly communicate your request to TSA agents.
Europe
There are variations in security procedures within Europe. For example, a photographer shared their experience at Nice Airport in France, where they encountered difficulties in requesting a hand check for their film. In contrast, Amsterdam Airport in the Netherlands has line-ups of CT scanners, which are known to cause damage to film.
Asia
South Korea, in particular, has been mentioned as a country with challenging airport security experiences for photographers travelling with film.
International Shipping
When shipping film internationally, carriers cannot guarantee how Customs or other institutions will handle your package. Richard Photo Lab recommends marking film with a "light-sensitive materials" label and providing specific instructions to protect your film from mandatory X-rays.
It is important to research the security procedures and equipment at your specific departure, transfer, and arrival airports to understand the potential risks to your film and prepare accordingly.
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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 as checked baggage goes through high-powered CT scanners that can damage your film. Secondly, traditional x-ray scanners only affect films with an ISO of 800 or upwards, so films under 800 ISO can be transported with little to no damage. Thirdly, you can ask airport security to check your rolls of film by hand to avoid any risk.
To ensure your film is safe from damage, you should remove it from all canisters and packaging and place it in a clear ziplock bag or a “Do Not X-Ray” pouch. Keep it easily accessible in the side pocket of your carry-on bag. Request a hand check for your film, especially if your trip includes multiple flights or airport transfers.
Traditional x-ray machines use lower levels of radiation and typically don't harm film under 800 ISO. However, CT scanners use much more powerful rays and can cause serious damage to your film, even with just one pass through the machine. If your film is exposed to an x-ray machine or CT scanner, it is expected that airports will post notices if their equipment has the potential to damage carry-on film.
