Expert: Don Wood - 8/28/2003

Question
xray and film
i am going thru new airport security and xrays machines. do i need to protect my film with a special bag?
marv send answer to
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Answer
Some machines will not fog film the first or second time you go through. However, to be safe, try this. Carry your film in a separate bag and ask the checker to hand-check the bag. He may try to reassure you that it will be all right, but explain that you will be going through several stations and the X-Ray exposure is a cumulative thing. The radiation will build up until it fogs the film. Don't load your camera with film. You can open the back to show that it is a camera not a bomb case. Don't put anything in the camera bag that you send through the machine that will react to being zapped. Be very polite to the authorities, don't create a scene, no loud arguments, just ask for the supervisor if you're having a problem. Remember the checkers handle a lot of people trying to protect the passengers from the bad guys and that you are merely a face to them.
Film Shield makes special bags that are impervious to xrays but if you send them through the machine, they will have to be handchecked anyway since the machine will not be able to see inside that bag. This could cause a hassle.
When I traveled overseas, I did this and didn't have a problem. I used print film and had the film developed over there at an army base commissary lab. Perhaps if you brought slide film back to the states to be developed, you might have a problem.
Above all, don't give the checker a lot of hassle, be polite, they will then be polite to you. Keeping a calm voice will accomplish wonders. Also catching a flight at the beginning of the checker's shift will help you.
Best of luck to you, Sorry to be late in responding but I didn't get the email that there was a question pending.
Thanks for asking.
Don