Owais Crawford
Travelling with film can be a stressful experience, especially when you consider the potential for damage from X-ray machines and CT scanners at airport security. However, there are several steps you can take to ensure your film remains undamaged. Firstly, always carry your film onto the plane and never put it in checked luggage, as the scanners used are much more powerful and will ruin undeveloped film. Instead, keep your film in your carry-on luggage and ask for a hand check by a security agent. Make this process easier for them by unwrapping the film and placing it in a clear plastic bag, so they can quickly swab it. If you are unable to get a hand check, the odds are still in your favour that your film will be fine, especially if it is below 800 ISO.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Where to put the film | Always carry your film in hand luggage and never put it in checked luggage. |
| What to do at security | Ask for a hand check if you have high ISO film, cinema film, or if you will be going through multiple x-rays with the same batch of film. |
| What to expect | Be patient as it will take longer to go through security than normal. |
| What to do in the US | The TSA will physically inspect your film by hand if you request them to do so. |
| What to do internationally | It can be difficult to get film hand-checked outside of the US. |
| How to store the film | Place loose rolls into a large, clear ziploc bag or use a Domke Filmguard Bag. |
| How to speed up the process | Make the film as visible and easy for the agents to swab quickly. |
| What to do with film you want hand-checked | Keep it in an accessible place, unwrap it, and remove it from any packaging. |
| What to do with film below ISO 800 | Keep it clearly visible on top, or in a separate bag so that agents can hand check just that film. |
| What not to do | Do not use lead-lined bags as they will make TSA agents more suspicious. |
What You'll Learn
Ask for a hand check if you have high ISO film, cinema film, or if you will be going through multiple x-rays with the same batch of film
When travelling with film, it's important to know your rights and how to best protect your film from damage. If you are travelling with high ISO film, cinema film, or if you will be going through multiple x-rays with the same batch of film, you can ask for a hand check at security. This is recommended by Kodak and it is your right to request this.
Within the US, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will physically inspect your film by hand if you request them to do so. They will often ask you to submit your film to a swab test to bypass the x-ray machine. It is important to be patient, as this process will take longer than going through security without a hand check. While hand checks are usually granted within the US, this is not always the case when travelling internationally.
To make the process as smooth as possible, you can prepare your film ahead of time. Take your film out of all canisters and wrappers and place it in a transparent, ziplock bag. Keep your film in a side pocket or another easily accessible area of your carry-on bag for quick removal. Make sure your film is easily visible and organised for the TSA agents. You can also consider shipping your exposed film to a film lab for processing before your return trip.
It is also recommended to always carry your film onto the plane and never put it in your checked luggage, as the scanners used are much more powerful and will ruin any undeveloped film.
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Keep film out of checked baggage
It is strongly recommended to keep film out of checked baggage. The scanners used for checked baggage are much more powerful than those used for carry-on luggage and will very likely fog your film. Film and loaded cameras should always be taken in carry-on luggage.
If you are travelling with film, it is advisable to book an airline ticket that allows you to bring carry-on luggage. Basic Economy tickets, for example, do not always allow carry-on baggage beyond a small personal item.
The best way to protect your film is to ask for a hand inspection. In the US, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will physically inspect your film by hand if you request them to do so. They will often ask you to submit your film to a swab test to bypass the x-ray machine. However, this may not be an option in other countries.
To make the hand inspection process smoother, it is recommended to:
- Place your film in a clear plastic zip-lock bag.
- Remove your film from any packaging.
- Keep your film in a separate, easily accessible area of your carry-on luggage, such as a side pocket.
- Be patient and polite with security agents.
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Store film in a clear plastic bag
When travelling with film, it is important to take certain precautions to ensure that your film does not get damaged by X-ray scanners at the airport. One key step is to store your film in a clear plastic bag. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this effectively:
Firstly, always carry your film onto the plane and never put it in your checked luggage. The scanners used for checked luggage are much more powerful than those used for carry-on luggage and will ruin undeveloped film. Place your film in a clear, transparent ziplock bag, which will make it easily visible to security agents. Keep the film in a side pocket or other easily accessible area of your carry-on bag for quick removal during security checks.
Remove the film from all its canisters and packaging and store it loosely in the plastic bag. This makes it easier for security agents to inspect the film and reduces the likelihood of them needing to open the packaging themselves. It is also a good idea to keep ISO 800 and above film separate and visible, as some agents will refuse to hand-check film below this ISO. Make sure these films are clearly visible and easily accessible, either on top of your other films or in a separate bag.
Additionally, when travelling with a camera that still has film in it, treat it as you would loose film and do not put it in any checked luggage. This is because the lead in your camera's film canister will protect the rest of the film from being damaged by cosmic radiation during the flight.
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Don't leave film in a hot car
If you wouldn't leave a dog or a baby in a hot car, don't leave your film there either. The exception to this rule is if you have a fridge or freezer in your car. But as a general rule, don't do it.
Hot cars will ruin film. Colour film will suffer if stored above 86°F (30°C) for more than eight hours. But the gelatin that holds the image-forming silver melts at 95°F (35°C). So storing film above that temperature for any amount of time could ruin it.
If you're going out for the day, bring only the amount of film that you need. Carry small film boxes that hold just enough film for a day or two, so you can leave the rest of your film behind in a cool place.
If you're going to be away from your car for a while, consider burying your film in a sealed bag under the car. The shade will keep it cool, and burying it protects it from the elements.
If you're going to leave film in your car, keep it in a cooler or insulated bag, and cover it with a towel or clothing to keep direct sunlight off it.
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Send your film to a lab to be developed before your return trip
If you're travelling with film and want to avoid the risk of it being damaged by X-ray scanners, you can get it developed before your return trip. Here are some tips on how to do this:
Send your film to a lab
If you're travelling internationally, you can get your film developed at a local lab before your return trip. This way, you can avoid the risk of your film being damaged by airport security scanners. Developed film will not be damaged by X-rays or CT scans, so you can safely bring it back with you in your carry-on luggage.
Prepare your film for shipping
To send your film to a lab, you'll need to package it securely. Remove the film from its original packaging and place it in a clear, transparent ziplock bag. This will make it easily accessible for inspection by customs or postal workers. Label the package clearly and include any necessary documentation, such as a prepaid mailer or customs forms.
Choose a reliable shipping method
When selecting a shipping method, consider using a tracked or insured service to ensure the safety of your film. You may also want to use a shipping company that specialises in handling fragile or sensitive items. Additionally, try to time your shipping so that your film spends as little time as possible in transit and reaches the lab before your return trip.
Research labs in your destination country
Before sending your film, research labs in your destination country that offer film development services. Look for labs with good reviews and experience handling the type of film you're using. You may also want to consider the cost and turnaround time of the development services.
Plan ahead
Keep in mind that developing film can take time, so plan your trip accordingly. Make sure you allow enough time for the lab to process your film before you need to leave. It's also a good idea to bring extra film in case you end up taking more photos than expected.
By following these steps, you can minimise the risk of damaging your film while travelling and ensure that your photos are safely developed and ready for you to enjoy when you return home.
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Frequently asked questions
The scanners used for checked baggage are much more powerful than those used for carry-on luggage and will ruin undeveloped film. Always keep your film in your carry-on luggage and ask for a hand check if you have high ISO film, cinema film, or will be going through multiple x-rays with the same batch of film.
To make it easy for security personnel to hand check your film, take it out of its packaging and store it in a clear plastic bag, such as a Ziploc bag. Keep the film in a side pocket or other easy-access area of your carry-on bag for quick removal.
No, checked baggage often goes through equipment with higher-energy X-rays that can damage film immediately. Only put film in your carry-on luggage.
Yes, but be prepared for the possibility that you may need to request a hand check of your film by a TSA agent.
The odds are in your favor that your film will not be noticeably damaged by the X-ray scanners. However, it is always recommended to get your film hand-checked if possible, especially if your travel will include multiple X-ray scans.
