They refused to check our films by hand in Newark airport
#1
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They refused to check our films by hand in Newark airport
We arrived in the Newark airport certain that our films will be gladly checked by hand after reading all comments on this board. We did not have a time to develop them before returning to Prague. Not only the checkers refused to do this for us but they were extremely rude pointing at my husband and yelling that any film under 1000 speed won't be damaged and they don't do that for anyone. When my husband told them that we never had any problem in many airports in Europe that made even worse and we were pulled to the side and our two carry on were checked very closely including my very personal items which were taken apart from the original packaging. I understand that different security messures are in place now but not even onece there was a word of explanation or apology or at least a little smile. We traveled through many securities in different airport but I have to admit that in Newark we had the worst experience ever. Maybe that has something to do with our accent but, in my opinion, is something wrong with people who work there being so rude.<BR>I would like to know if anyone who travel lately through Newark asked about his/her films to be checked by hand? Did they do it for you?
#2
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Anna, I couldnt sympathize more. I havent flown since September 11th, but have always had problems with having my film hand inspected. Ive been a professional photographer for nearly 30 years, carry the film in a lead lined bag with a press/media sticker on it including photo I.D. and fingerprints and almost always its no dice when I ask for hand inspection. Moreover, theyve always been rude about it. (I love it when some minimum wage petty bureaucrat tries to explain to me about the nature of film.) Ive even brought along printed warnings from Kodak but this only prompted hand searches of me and any bag or garment I have. The worst place for me, consistently, has been O'Hare in Chicago, so much so that I will do all in my power to not fly through that particular facility. Im leaving for England/France/Holland in a few days and am already gearing myself up for a hassle. It is too bad, I can offer no advice, only my empathy.
#3
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Anna,<BR>I assume you realize that one of the planes that was hijacked on 9/11 was from Newark. Perhaps, that had something to do with the level of patience by these security people. <BR><BR>From my perspective, I don't care if they smile at me or not. I want them to do their job and pay attention. Are they likely to be a bit aggressive in certain situations, yes. But, it's a price I'm willing to pay. <BR><BR>I'm sorry if they were rude to you but I hope you understand the reasons. More importantly, you shouldn't let this ruin your trip.<BR><BR><BR><BR> <BR><BR><BR><BR>
#5
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I'm reading the threads on Fodor's for a while, and every now and then there is a post about safety of a roll of film going through x-rays. Never read anything about spoiled films. I use Kodak and go through x-rays both ways: new and ready to develop. Never had any problems with my amateur 200/400 films.
#6
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I was as sickened by the terrorists acts of Sept. 11 as anybody, but I'm getting a little tired at hearing that such events give workers a "right" to be rude. If someone tries to boss them around, that's one thing, but refusal to follow normal rules of politeness are not justified by the terrorist acts.
#7
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Oh get over it! The people at the airports have ALWAYS been rude! They are undereducated,underpaid and resent everyone they have to deal with.<BR>Just go through the damn lines and go on with your life without all the whining! Jeez, if I was one of those guys I would probably slap you for being such a baby!
#8
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I used to use a lead-lined bag but stopped years ago. I've had dozens of exposed and unexposed rolls go through carry-on x-ray as well as checked baggage in the U.S. and several European countries without any noticable difference. If I were a professional photographer I'd still be concerned but as an amateur I'm no longer worrying about it.
#9
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I think the way to go in the future is with digital film, which can't be ruined by xrays. Hopefully the rays are strong enough to detect anything dangereous, and I am willing to sacrifice my film any day to be safe. <BR>Don't expect any person working with the public, esp. airports now days, to be patient, they are probably over worked, etc. That is all part of the travel package.
#10
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The security lady at the airport in Baltimore, MD wouldn't hand check my film either. She was very polite and informed me that film under 1000 speed would not be damaged.<BR><BR>Apparently she was right. I brought it all home, had it developed, and there was no damage.
#11
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Post 9/11 you can pretty much COUNT ON film in checked bags being damaged. Happened to me in October last year coming home from Italy. Do NOT bring home film you've shot in CHECKED BAGS! Visit this site to see what film in CHECKED bags looks like when developed:<BR>http://www.f-stop.org/sample_photograph.htm<BR><BR>I'd shot about 13 rolls in Italy and got that ghosty burst/smudge on the left side of SOME of the developed prints on the last two rolls that I'd forgotten to bring in my carryon. All carryon film developed OK. <BR><BR>Interestingly enough a friend travelled in Greece at the same time I was in Italy - who had ALL her film in checked bags on the way home - had no damage on her prints - and she said "they xray'd the hell out of my bags coming home" kuz of some ag products she had with her. <BR><BR>Literally the day I got home from that trip I was chilling, reading the Sunday paper and catching up, and about had a heart attack when I read a news release in that day's travel section from Kodak - it basically said, "NO FILM IN CHECKED BAGS FROM NOW ON FOLKS, or you'll regret it." On pins and needles til I got my prints back a few days later...disappointed about the prints that were bad but learned my lesson.
#14
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I have also read in photo mags recently that hand checking of film is on the decline substantially. As far as I know, airport personnel are still supposed to hand check if asked, by regulations. If anyone can find information on those rules being changed, I am sure we would all like to know. Personally, I think no one has the right to be rude to you if there are rules saying they should do it. Of course, the real problem is that most of us, including me, don't want to stand there and argue about it. It is not worth the effort, and we hold up the lines. We do have to be more understanding now when traveling, but I agree with xxx. We may understand the reason for some of the rudeness, but that doesn't excuse it completely. <BR><BR>I had little trouble getting hand checking in October, but it will be interesting to compare when I fly again next week. Of course I will ask to make comparisons. I wonder if we slipped a couple of rolls of 1000 speed film in with a bag of 100 and 400, they might argue less about it. "Oh, but I do have a few rolls of 1000 speed in there."<BR><BR>All that said, the x-rays at the security checks aren't likely to harm most film anyway unless you send it through many times.
#15
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I don't know anything about explosives or photography, but I'm curious: Is it possible for a terrorist to carry an explosive that looks like a roll of film? What exactly does a hand check entail? Can they tell what's inside of the cartridge? I'm personally concerned about any "exceptions" to going thru tight security. Thanks.
#17
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After a big argument with security screeners a few years ago in Brussels Airport, I decided hand-screening was not worth the trouble. Since then, this method has worked well for me:<BR><BR>1. Try to use up all film in your camera before going to the airport.<BR><BR>2. Before going through the airport security screening, remove all film from your camera. <BR><BR>3. Put all exposed film into a lead-lined bag in your carryon luggage. <BR> <BR>NEVER put film into checked luggage, because the x-rays on checked luggage are much stronger than on carryon luggage.<BR><BR>To make things even easier, I never bring film to my destination. This reduces the risk of damage, and also frees up more space in my luggage! When I arrive at my destination, one of the first things I do is buy film. I have never had a problem finding nearby stores that sell film. (Prices have been approximately the same as in the USA.)<BR><BR>
#18
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It is an FAA regulation that they must provide hand inspection of film (in the USA) if requested (FAA Regulation 108). The relevant section is 108.17, "Use of XRay Machines", Section 5(e): "This sign shall also advise passengers that they may request that an inspection be made of their photographic equipment and film packages without exposure to an X-ray system." Perhaps we all need to print it out and take it to the airport, to waive in their faces!!<BR><BR>You can read it online at: http://www.faa.gov/avr/AFS/FARS/far-108.txt
#19
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What a bunch of cry-babies. Would you rather have your family/friends read all about how your plane was destroyed because the airline let a film cartridge get by security, and it was a bomb or something dangerous. I think your life would be worth more than a miniscule blur on a picture.
#20
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I can just see myself showing the 23 page document to an inspector and pointing out that I am entitled to have my film checked without going through x-ray.<BR><BR>And what do I do when they respond with "do you want to get on the plane or not?"<BR><BR>That happened to me at Zurich Airport many years ago. I put my film through the x-ray and got on the plane.<BR><BR>She was also taller, wider (side-to-side AND front-to-back) and bigger than me.<BR>