DianeG

I was warned today by my travel agent that the new scanners installed at many NA airports will ruin camera film packed in checked-in bags. She suggested that film be brought in your carry-on bag. Would a lead bag protect the film adequately, or would the opaque area it creates on the scanner "red light" your bag for it to be broken into and searched?

Anne

Numerous recent threads on this...try a quick search. Bottom line seems to be NEVER to put film in checked baggage as the x-rays are much stronger, and ask for hand-checking of film in your carry -on (which they are required to do in the US, but often won't!).

s.fowler

Yup. The new baggage scanners can damage film -- the ones in the checkin area in the American Airlines Terminal at O'Hare state so in BIG LETTERS. Also one time when I was "tagged" as someone to be checked the ticket agent asked if if had film in the baggage to be checked. Basically DON'T CHECK FILM -- CARRY IT ON!!!!

janis

DianeG - actually this is nothing new. It has been MANY years since it was OK to place film in checked bags - especially through European airports. <BR><BR>ALWAYS put put film in your carry-on. Film speeds under 800 or 1000 ASA will not be damaged by the scanners/Xray machines used for cabin bags so you most likely won't need a lead bag. <BR><BR>The effect is cumulative tho' so if you are on a trip that has you going through 8 or 10 aiprorts you might want to use a lead bag AND ask for hand screening. But don't count on them doing it.

mpprh

Hi<BR><BR>Call me an old cynic, but ............<BR><BR>if you are worried buy and develop your film locally.<BR><BR>it costs maybe a bit more, but its the same film and they use the same computer controlled machines for the development.<BR><BR>In fact I've developed several fims in US and was unhappy with the results.<BR><BR>Peter<BR><BR>http://tlp.netfirms.com<BR><BR>