TSA rules on carrying film at airports

[aslan_ivo]

Just FYI, in case anyone needs this later:

 

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

Transporting Special Items

 

Transporting Film

 

WARNING: Equipment used for screening checked baggage will damage

your undeveloped film.

 

Traveling with Film

 

Never place undeveloped film in your checked baggage.

Place film in your carry-on baggage* or request a hand inspection.

 

* Carry-on screening equipment might also damage certain film if the

film passes through more than 5 times.

 

None of the screening equipment - neither the machines used for

checked baggage nor those used for carry-on baggage - will affect

digital camera images or film that has already been processed,

slides, videos, photo compact discs, or picture discs.

 

General use film **

 

You should remove all film from your checked baggage and place it in

your carry-on baggage. The X-ray machine that screens your carry-on

baggage at the passenger security checkpoint will not affect

undeveloped film under ASA/ISO 800.

 

If the same roll of film is exposed to X-ray inspections more than 5

times before it is developed, however, damage may occur. Protect

your film by requesting a hand-inspection for your film if it has

already passed through the carry-on baggage screening equipment (X-

ray) more than 5 times.

 

Specialty film **

 

Specialty film is defined as film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher and

typically used by professionals.

 

At the passenger security checkpoint, you should remove the

following types of film from your carry-on baggage and ask for a

hand inspection:

 

Film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher

Highly sensitive X-ray or scientific films

Film of any speed which is subjected to X-ray surveillance more than

5 times (the effect of X-ray screening is cumulative)

Film that is or will be underexposed

Film that you intend to 'push process'

Sheet film

Large format film

Medical film

Scientific film

Motion picture film

Professional grade film

 

Other Tips and Precautions:

 

If you plan to request a hand inspection of your film, you should

consider carrying your film in clear canisters, or taking the film

out of solid colored canisters and putting it into clear plastic

bags, to expedite the screening process.

If you are going to be traveling through multiple X-ray examinations

with the same rolls of undeveloped film, you may want to request a

hand-inspection of your film. However, non-U.S. airports may not

honor this request.

If you plan to hand-carry undeveloped film on an airplane at an

international airport, contact the airport security office at that

airport to request a manual inspection.

Consider having your exposed film processed locally before passing

through airport security on your return trip.

We recommend that you do not place your film in lead-lined bags

since the lead bag will have to be hand-inspected. If you have

concerns about the impact of the X-ray machine on your undeveloped

film, you can request a hand inspection.

You may still consider bringing a lead-lined bag if you are

traveling through airports in other countries as their policies may

vary. Check with your airline or travel agent for more information

on foreign airports.

[picturebug]

This is very informative. I just want to make sure my film and digital formats will be safe. I'm flying from Atlanta to Miami and then boarding a cruise ship. We will be debarking in Grand Cayman and imbarking. Then debarking in Jamaica and of course imbarking. Then debarking in Miami and later flying back to ATL. Will my "stuff" be safe? By the way, the ship also has x-rays. I'm really concerned about this, since I would not be able to replace anything. Thanks

[mdcarma]

When you go on the ship, just hand your camera to the screener, they will hand it to you on the other side of the metal detector, doesn't need to go thru x ray.

[aslan_ivo]

Problem is with the medium format and sheet film, which according to the TSA has to be hand-inspected. Will the TSA inspectors be cooperative or will they be annoyed if you ask them to do so? THat's the question/

[aaron l]

Beware the cruise ships! I had a friend go on a cruise, they wouldn't hand inspect and they smoked 400ASA quite handily. I've had pretty good success at the airports over the past couple years but the cruise ship people can be real a-holes. They'll be much tougher to negotiate and argue with. It's usually the attitude test first and many times I'll carry 3200/1600ASA for shooting and seed so I don't get caught lying.