Hand Checking Film at FCO
 

Has anyone had any experience with getting their film hand checked at FCO upon departure? If not permitted, what is the best strategy to protect the investment?

Thanks,

Keith

Hi Keith -- We always try to have our film handchecked and as I recall, they obliged at FCO. However, we also separate our 800 and faster film in a separate ziplock bag as they will always handcheck fast film, even if they won't do all your film.

I presume you know to take it out of the boxes (but not the plastic cans) and to allow yourself extra time for the hand check.

"If not permitted", well, there's not much you can do other than process it in Italy or switch to digital. If you are only going through one xray machine and your film is under 800, conventional wisdom says "don't worry, be happy."

Although. I did not come through FCO, returning back to the US, security refused to hand check my film. I now have a film safe bag. You can pick them up at most photography or luggage shops for about $18.

I disagree with Marilyn on one point: You should also take your film out of the plastic canisters.

HowardR, plastic cans do protect the film from dust and humidity. A piece of dust on the place where the film exits the metal cannister can potentially scratch the whole roll.

Also, can anyone explain to me how film safe bags work in the current security climate? If they can't see what's in the bag on the xray machine, don't they have to handcheck it anyway? Otherwise, what would prevent someone from putting plastic explosive in a film safe bag?

With film safe bags if they can't see what's in it, they just increase the x-ray until they can. That is my experience, as recently as May at Boston, Dublin and Edinburgh airports. I also suggest taking the film out of the canisters and perhaps putting them in a plastic baggie and then into the film shield. If you are successful at getting a hand-check of your film, they are very mean-spirited if they have to open several cannisters. I know from experience!

I was successful in getting hand-checked at all three of the above airports, but the Edinburgh people were very firm in not wanting to do it. I was equally firm in wanting it done, however!

If you are using Kodak film and want to keep it in plastic containers ask your camera shop or photo processor for some empty Fuji containers. They are clear enough to tell what is inside, even was good enough at one US airport for hand screening purposes.

I do have to say that since TSA took over airport screening I have had much less hassle getting my film hand checked than when privated contractors were doing it. Back then I do believe they ran me through the ringer if I forced them to hand check my film. Now I just hand the bag over and ask for hand check and nothing is said.

Marilyn, Amy gave a good rationale for why you should take your film out of the plastic canisters. The chances of a piece of dust damaging your film are mighty slim. However, if that concerns you, just pack the canisters and put the film back in after it's been checked.

My experience when asking for my film to be hand checked overseas is an emphatic NO! I have had better luck stateside but the guards in Zurich and Italy said no. Luckily, I had no problems with the pictures I took.

As has been said place it in clear plastic canisters in a ziploc bag & politely ask for it to be checked. If that's not permitted, dest strategy is to place the film in your hand luggage and put it through the X-Ray machine used for hand luggage. It's less hassle for everybody and the film won't be damaged. I've just come back from Italy and my film is fine.

www.vistaphotos.com

Came through FCO in late June and had our 12 rolls hand checked. Like any airport, they were reluctant at first telling us that there was no damage to film. Just be polite and let them know that you'd still prefer them to do the handcheck and you'll be fine.

By the way, the most resistance I ever got was on the return from Hawaii on the Big Island...they just did not want to handcheck at all. It took three requests before they finally did it for me.

Another bit of advice. If you have your film separate from the rest of your carry-ons (e.g., in a plastic bag), even if they insist on putting it through the machine, it will likely only go through once since they can see what is inside. My checked luggage, and for some reason especially my camera bag, is often X-rayed more than once. Sometimes they even stop the machine so they can bombard my stuff with X-rays a little longer. I suspect they do it to look vigilant in case their supervisor is watching. Anyway, I've learned not to keep film in with my other carry-on luggage.

I gave up hand inspection a few years ago while leaving Rome.

When I asked for a hand inspection, a military type aimed his weapon at me and pointed to the conveyer belt.

HE was a very good negotiator....ended any discussion real fast.

It depends on who's at the check point. I never ask anymore because I use 400 or less. I have put it through the x-ray sometimes 4 or more times and the pictures still come out as crystal clear as if they had never gone through. If you use 800 or higher, then there won't be a problem with them hand checking.

With the exception of Paris & Frankfurt (they will NOT handcheck), it's really a toss-up in the rest of Europe.

Some firm but polite insistance usually gets me a handcheck. I always pack some rolls of 3200 black & white film so I can claim that I have high-speed film. I've never had to seperate it.

Film x-ray bags do work. Going through LAX this last week I had my film hand-checked, but had my led-bag in my carry-on. I had to pull it out so they could see what was inside.

And, contrary to popular belief, x-ray operators cannot increase the dosage of the machine...I asked. The knobs they move control brightness & contrast.

Jim, thanks for clearing up some of the myths about xrays and film!
Flying back from Jackson, Wyoming this summer, I asked for and received a hand-checking of my film. Their politeness and consideration extended to the point that they kept my two batches of film (800 and 400 ASA) separated during the inspection and returned them to me in the two batches.

I use a film bag that's supposed to keep things safe.

I'm a little concerned though. I keep it in my carry-on luggage and I would assume that the checkers see a black hole.

On our last trip we were on 4 planes and I was never asked to take out the film bag for inspection.

Thanks everyone for your insightful offers.