Review Film and airport scanners

Kell

Kell

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Just an update after my trip to/from the States.

I hadn't even realised that there were new scanners or that they could affect film, but after asking for advice in another thread about film - I was warned about them and advised to ask for hand inspection.

This is what I found.

In both Heathrow on the way out and Newark airport on the way back, the advice was that the scanners would only affect film rated at '900' and above.

In Heathrow, there were no signs, so you'd have to be aware ahead of time.
In Newark, there were signs saying that only >800 would be affected, but that if you felt more comfortable, you could ask for a hand inspection for all film.

Newark is quite small airport and wasn't super-busy. Maybe this affected it, but they were really happy to help.

I had several rolls of ASA400, plus one roll of ASA800.

In Heathrow, they were nice about it, but basically refused to take the ASA400 for a hand-inspection. But did agree to do it for the ASA800.

In Newark, they were not only happy to hand-inspect it all, we also had a chat about what I'd shot and he did ask if I'd left any in my camera too as he didn't want that going through.

Haven't got anything back yet, but that's the latest from last weekend.
 
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Heathrow - I find it must depend on what side of the bed the security guy / girl gets out of bed...I've had all film hand-checked and also refused but I always ask regardless.

So after multiple scanners, no issues with My Kodak 100s & 400 film in medium and 35 format
 
Traditional scanners aren't really much of an issue unless you have faster films or your films are going through scanners 10+ times.

The new CT scanners, however, will noticeably affect film after one scan and that is what you need to watch out for.

To increase odds of hand checks, you can rehouse boxes of slower films within old boxes of faster film (e.g., Portrait 400 in a box of Delta 3200). If you don't have a lot of film, you can also leave a roll or two in your pocket when going through security yourself.

I find North American, middle eastern, and Asian airports more accommodating of hand checks than UK/European ones.
 
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I emailed Manchester Airport recently and received the following guidance.

Our advice from security is as follows: any camera film under ISO 1600 can be processed through our conventional X-Ray machines, Polaroid film must not be placed in any X-ray machine and no camera film should be screened using a CT machine.

If your camera film cannot be put through the CT or X-ray scanners, you can let the security staff know and they will be able to perform a manual search.
Click to expand...
 
As an addendum to this.

I recently went to Greece and took two film cameras (an SLR and a PAS). One of which was part-way through a roll.

I didn't really think about it before-hand, but they would not hand-inspect the camera as they said that it had to go through the machine. So the film went through too.

Just as a watch out to anyone else that is as daft as me, travel with empty cameras or expect to have them scanned.

Not sure if this is common practice (I imagine it is). But I made sure I used all my film up before travelling back just to be on the safe side.
 
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I received this from Heathrow after an enquiry earlier in the year.

Good Morning Nick,

Thank you for your patience whilst we confirm the current policy in regards to taking photographic film through Security.

We have now heard back from the Security team who have confirmed the following;

"If the passenger processes through a CT lane then the film can be screened by alternative methods. However, if the passenger is processed through a standard lane, then only film over ISO800 is permitted to be screened by alternative methods, otherwise it will need to pass through the x-ray."

I trust that this helps and we look forwards to seeing you at Heathrow on your future journeys.

Kind regards,

Peter Hearn
Customer Service Advisor

Heathrow


I have just returned from a trip to Canada and although I wanted to take the Nagaoka in the end I decided against it, I couldn't bear the thought of film being ruined if they refused to hand check, especially as they couldn't hand check the boxes of film.
 
I'd forgotten about all this. Truth be told my film photography is all a bit experimental and blaggy and I'm using waaaay out of date stock anyway so I think I'll try to put it on my list of things not to think about.

Just carrying a digital SLR bag seemed to get me a delay at Stansted last time I was there!
 
skysh4rk said:
If you don't have a lot of film, you can also leave a roll or two in your pocket when going through security yourself.
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Well the last time I left the UK was about 10 years ago and IIRC you put all your hand luggage stuff on a conveyor belt to go through the scanner, then empty your pockets for metal stuff in a tray, then go through an arch........so if you have film cassettes in your pocket wouldn't that sound the alarm going through the arch ?
 
excalibur2 said:
Well the last time I left the UK was about 10 years ago and IIRC you put all your hand luggage stuff on a conveyor belt to go through the scanner, then empty your pockets for metal stuff in a tray, then go through an arch........so if you have film cassettes in your pocket wouldn't that sound the alarm going through the arch ?
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Well, in my experience, with traditional metal detectors at airport security with 120 film, it’s not been a problem (provided you aren’t visibly stuffing your pockets full)

For 135 or with those new body scanners, I’m not sure. I haven’t tried with either of these.
 
I'm heading to Berlin in a few weeks with 4 rolls of Kodak Double-X. They're in a see through plastic pouch with a Do Not X-ray label on. I'll be asking the security operative to "hand search" the pouch, though. I'll be interested to see what they do...
 
scook94 said:
I'm heading to Berlin in a few weeks with 4 rolls of Kodak Double-X. They're in a see through plastic pouch with a Do Not X-ray label on. I'll be asking the security operative to "hand search" the pouch, though. I'll be interested to see what they do...
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You could try getting an expired 3200 ISO film and sticking that in there as well, that might help persuade them?

BTW are your rolls in cardboard boxes, or just in the placky canisters?
 
When I went through Manchester Airport earlier this year - which now has CT scanners - I took all my film out of it's packaging (boxes and plastic pots) and placed it all in a clear ziplock bag. It makes it easy for the staff to see exactly what is in there.

I still took the plastic pots, but left them in my backpack until I was through security.
 
ChrisR said:
You could try getting an expired 3200 ISO film and sticking that in there as well, that might help persuade them?

BTW are your rolls in cardboard boxes, or just in the placky canisters?
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They're not boxed, just came in plastic canisters. But I'll take the advice and take them out of these before I hand them over. (y)
 
Happy to advise that Edinburgh Airport were very obliging and "hand searched" my pouch of film, no questions asked.
 
FishyFish said:
I emailed Manchester Airport recently and received the following guidance.
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Hi,

I’m flying from Manchester airport on Sunday morning with some Polaroid film. I’m really worried about this whole hand checking thing.

Is there any chance you could send me a pic of the email they sent you? Or better even forward the email to me?

Just so I can show the security guards if they refuse

Thanks :)
 
Went to Budapest recently and flew out of Luton.

At Luton they definitely have the new scanners and even though it was reasonably busy were happy to take all rolls of film to one side and avoid the scanners. I had about five rolls of 400 and 200.

I think the easiest way to check if they’re the new scanners or. It is whether you can leave your toiletries in you bag or have to have them in a plastic bag out of your bag.

On the way back however, I asked for a hand inspection and the guy (very politely) explained that that was only for anything over 800.

He said “I’ll show you guidance sheet once they’re through”. Which seemed a bit counter productive if he was wrong but there you go.

True to his word, he did then show me the sheet and he was right.

Films been developed. And there are no marks on it. So all good.
 
JackBulkeley said:
Hi,

I’m flying from Manchester airport on Sunday morning with some Polaroid film. I’m really worried about this whole hand checking thing.

Is there any chance you could send me a pic of the email they sent you? Or better even forward the email to me?

Just so I can show the security guards if they refuse

Thanks :)
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Hi Jack,

This is the wording of the email (there was other stuff, but it was just customer service blurb. The bit about Polaroid film will be most pertinent to yourself.

Our advice from security is as follows: any camera film under ISO 1600 can be processed through our conventional X-Ray machines, Polaroid film must not be placed in any X-ray machine and no camera film should be screened using a CT machine.

If your camera film cannot be put through the CT or X-ray scanners, you can let the security staff know and they will be able to perform a manual search.
Click to expand...
 
You have highlighted the non standard treatment at the airports which is why when I travel to Europe I use the ferry and either my car or motorcycle. I simply refuse to jump through their hoops. Travelling by sea and road is so much more relaxing and a complete answer to the risk of x-ray contamination! Besides, there is so much to see in Europe that I have no need (or desire) to travel further.
 
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Another advantage of sea travel is, unlike on board an aeroplane, if you have an obnoxious family with screaming children, in the row of seats next to you, you are stuck with them for the duration. On the North Sea ferries you can always move way to get peace and quiet or on an overnight trip retreat to your cabin. And no I don't get sea sick.
 
You can't have it all ways. Suffer the the obnoxious family/drunken yobs/screaming kids for 5-6 hours, or retire to your cabin and lie down on your back where you will forget all of life's troubles (with a toilet only a metre or so away should you feel really poorly.) And think of all that lovely film still intact and unaffected by not being anywhere near an XRay scanner. I know what I prefer............


PS.... On board ships food is a lot nicer than pre packaged plastic offerings handed out by airlines. DFDS and Stena line are especially good! P&O not so good, but there again I don't travel with them.
 
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Rodinal said:
You can't have it all ways. Suffer the the obnoxious family/drunken yobs/screaming kids for 5-6 hours, or retire to your cabin and lie down on your back where you will forget all of life's troubles (with a toilet only a metre or so away should you feel really poorly.) And think of all that lovely film still intact and unaffected by not being anywhere near an XRay scanner. I know what I prefer............


PS.... On board ships food is a lot nicer than pre packaged plastic offerings handed out by airlines. DFDS and Stena line are especially good! P&O not so good, but there again I don't travel with them.
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As much as sea travel might be pleasant (assuming you don't suffer from seasickness), it's not particularly convenient for travel farther afield (or if you live in a part of the UK that is not close to a suitable port). For instance, my trip to Dubrovnik last year would have required 26 hours of travel time each way if I had gone by road and ferry, and that's assuming I didn't stop for any breaks or sleep during the journey. I'm speaking for myself here, but that doesn't sound more relaxing than flying, where I could read a book for a couple of hours during the flight.

Other than an occasional crying baby, I've never encountered any passengers causing a disturbance, and flight times for most of Europe are pretty short (usually less than 3 hours, unless you go to Corfu or Rhodes, or somewhere else to the east / south-east of the continent). X-Ray scanners have never been an issue either - regular scans don't affect film in any noticeable way (unless it's very high ISO), and every encounter I've had with CT scanners has resulted in a hand-check without any issues.

If sea travel is convenient and / or is something you enjoy, or your preference is for touring holidays or trips to north-western Europe, then of course it's a perfectly viable option, but air travel is almost certainly going to be a more convenient option in many cases, I think.
 
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I actually find the turning up at an airport hours ahead of time, sitting waiting to be called forward, having to endure check in with totally bored staff and then sitting for seemingly hours before take off. The last flight I actually enjoyed was about 50 years ago curtesy of the RAF!

Although it is 300 miles from where I live, I usually travel from Harwich via Stena Line, and on the way down, call in on the way down to see a couple of friends who I may otherwise not get to see for a year or more.Then when I arrive totally refreshed, at Hook of Holland it is 18 kms to The Hague where my son and his family live. Then possibly the next day I can set off for what route I planned but that does not stop me deviating on the way if I fancy stopping off at some point of interest. So on and so forth for the time I am away. Getting to a place advertised in some glossy brochure or deciding after listening to some glib tongued travel agent who tells a good story but then you have to sort out the wheat from the chaff!

Going to some holiday resort like Dubrovnik (and others) would fill me with horror! Staying in one place, or near to it all the time would soon loose it's appeal. I have met some really interesting people on my travels in the past 20+ years and made some good friends and visited some terrific and beautiful places where the lifestyle of the people is so peaceful and contented which to some degree is passed on to myself. I have ridden over most of the high mountain passes in Austria and quite a few in Italy and never in all that time had one spoiled film (which is what this thread is about.) Planning a trip for me is all part of the holiday, and the anticipation of what is to come, as the departure date approaches makes it all the better.
 
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Rodinal said:
I actually find the turning up at an airport hours ahead of time, sitting waiting to be called forward, having to endure check in with totally bored staff and then sitting for seemingly hours before take off. The last flight I actually enjoyed was about 50 years ago curtesy of the RAF!

Although it is 300 miles from where I live, I usually travel from Harwich via Stena Line, and on the way down, call in on the way down to see a couple of friends who I may otherwise not get to see for a year or more.Then when I arrive totally refreshed, at Hook of Holland it is 18 kms to The Hague where my son and his family live. Then possibly the next day I can set off for what route I planned but that does not stop me deviating on the way if I fancy stopping off at some point of interest. So on and so forth for the time I am away. Getting to a place advertised in some glossy brochure or deciding after listening to some glib tongued travel agent who tells a good story but then you have to sort out the wheat from the chaff!

Going to some holiday resort like Dubrovnik (and others) would fill me with horror! Staying in one place, or near to it all the time would soon loose it's appeal. I have met some really interesting people on my travels in the past 20+ years and made some good friends and visited some terrific and beautiful places where the lifestyle of the people is so peaceful and contented which to some degree is passed on to myself. I have ridden over most of the high mountain passes in Austria and quite a few in Italy and never in all that time had one spoiled film (which is what this thread is about.) Planning a trip for me is all part of the holiday, and the anticipation of what is to come, as the departure date approaches makes it all the better.
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All that sounds genuinely nice, but you can understand that touring holidays might not suit everyone's circumstances and that others may enjoy alternate trips, and travel arrangements, many of which will necessitate air travel and their security processes? Also, I feel I should mention that while Dubrovnik may be a holiday resort, it is also a historic port city on the Dalmatian coast with the old town recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are travel links to a large range of other regional historic and cultural destinations should that be your preference. Just saying... :)
 
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