Re: United States airline screening and film

For my job as a computer consultant I travel about 100,000 miles a year give
or take a few. I always bring a camera either my Canon F-1 with a pinhole
cap for a slim-line approach or I bring my Speed Graphic with a lensboard
aluminum foil pinhole to take pictures as I travel. I really like the vibe
of airports, although my pictures haven't quite captured it and the vibe is
much more serious now. Anyway, my experiences have been pretty similar in
the following airports: LAX, Boston, SF, O'Hare, San Jose, BWI, Reagan
National, Norfolk, La Guardia, JFK, New Orleans, KC, Minn-St.Paul, NY-Islip,
Providence, Houston-Bush and Houston-Hobby, Las Vegas. I have traveled
through security at all of these are since 9/11.

First of all allow plenty of time to get through security. Two hours is
probably accurate and even more if it's an early morning flight. In New York
recently I bought film for WWPD and hand-carried it home vs. shipping it so
I would have it for Sunday, the security checkpoint added about 30 minutes
to the process to literally chemically swipe every single brand-new box of
film. This was time spent in my socks standing beside the swipe table. Now
at most airports if you set off the metal detector you have to take off your
shoes, this also holds true if they have to hand-inspect your baggage.

Secondly no matter your format make sure you have some high speed 1000 speed
or higher (I always have some 35 or 120 Delta 3200) or even some Polaroid
Type 57 (3000 ASA) film. This makes it much easier to get a hand check
because they are not required to hand-check slower speed film and sometimes
they won't. So I now put all film into clear 1 gallon Ziploc bags unless
it's 4x5 then I leave it in the box. Some places will actually do a swipe on
each and every box and roll of film others will do a cursory look and feel
of the contents. With 4x5 or larger sized film you might be able to get
slower speed film hand-checked by saying it's scientific. This is allowed
although some guards will still say it's fine to go through the x-ray and
will tell your to put it in the machine.

Third, try to empty your camera if possible. Odd-sized packages and shapes
get x-rayed more intensely then normal ones. My camera without a lens causes
many security people to stop and re x-ray it. If possible leave a simple
50mm on your camera so the shape looks normal. I won't even go into some of
the pintoids and other homebrew solutions. Duct-tape, wires and other things
make Security personnel very nervous, justifiably. Make sure to scrub your
camera bag and put all tools, tripods, screwdrivers, etc. into your checked
luggage. They have never commented on my cable release which I bring so it
seems fine. (for now). As an aside I've put TmaxCN through multiple times
and it hasn't suffered, but I avoid it if I can.

Fourth, be patient, relax and remain calm. Security people are doing the
best job they can, getting uptight will only make things worse for you and
for others behind you. A smile will get you through much faster and happier.
Lastly, you can pack film in your luggage but it can get x-rayed and
screened. Sometimes you'll be present and be allowed to remove your film but
the one time it happened to me and they sent my checked bag directly into
luggage so I had to cram 3 boxes of Polaroid 4x5 into my carry on. Also
they really do enforce the two bags only carry-on rule. This also includes
shopping bags although each airport may be a little different here. Enjoy
Utah, there should be plenty of great light in June, bring sunscreen and a
good alarm clock because morning light comes very early in June. Good luck,
Thom
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Dilcher" <root@hiddenworld.net>
To: <pinhole-discussion@pinhole.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2002 10:22
Subject: [pinhole-discussion] United States airline screening and film

> Hi folks,
>
> I will be taking vacation to Utah in June, and will
> be shooting some pinhole while out there.
>
> Can anyone tell me whether xray or other screening equitment
> will adversly affect color or black and white film? I
> primarily shoot TMAX 100, but may bring some color film as
> well...
>
> Maybe someone has had some recent experiences, and can
> shed some light on this (no pun intended).
>
> Thanks,
> Jeff
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Post to the list as PLAIN TEXT only - no HTML
> Pinhole-Discussion mailing list
> Pinhole-Discussion@pinhole.com
> unsubscribe or change your account at
> http://www.pinholevisions.org/discussion/
Received on Thu May 9 13:50:13 2002