Before I waste $30 on a lead pouch for my film, has anyone had recent trouble with the x-ray machines ruining your carried-on developed or undeveloped film?

I would definitely buy a lead pouch... I always travel with my film in a lead pouch. I've heard lots of horror stories and if you're traveling abroad, airports in other countries don't apply the same standards that airport in the U.S. adhere to. Would you trust an airport scanner to tell you you're unprotected film will be just fine?

Yes, I did!

Going thru to get on the plane to go to Paris from Cincinnati each of the 20 rolls of 800-speed film I had was hand-checked. Coming from Paris to the U.S. they RESOLUTELY REFUSED to handcheck any of the film and 5 rolls were completely ruined. You could see green wavy lines on the resulting "pictures".

So, yes, please do invest in the lead pouch and make sure it'll hold all your rolls.

Have a great trip!

I've had good luck with the lead pouch. Just about every time, the security people detected it on the screen so they had to open my bags. But as soon as they see it's the lead film bag with film inside, they tell me I'm smart for using it and wave me along. And my photos have come out great.

Thanks for the information. Found this quote from the FAA regarding the checking of film:

http://www1.faa.gov/avr/AFS/FARS/far-108.txt

"If requested by passengers, their photographic equipment and film packages shall be inspected without exposure to an X-ray system."

However, I have read many posts over the years from travelers who were blatantly refused the service of having their film hand-checked.

After they mentioned the FAA laws, they were pulled out of line and had themselves and their carry-on luggage thoroughly inspected.

So in order to avoid an unwanted body cavity search, I guess I better not make any waves and simply purchase a lead bag.

Also, keep in mind that coming back to the US the FAA laws don't really apply. The security guards in the Madrid airport took it as a personal insult that I asked to have my film hand checked.

I just let it got thru the scanners. I use 800 speed and have never had a film roll ruined.

Make sure you get a GOOD lead pouch. I was going thru security recently with a woman who question the TSA on why they had not searched her luggage when they saw the blank void. The TSA said there was not blank void and when the woman said it was her film, he said "I noticed you had about 20 rolls" I spoke with the woman on the plane and she had what appeared to be alead pouch which had cost about $50. Seemed pretty useless to me!

i always use a lead puch and in fact the last trip to asia i used a new lead pouch with my old one (very worn) over it....i think the key is that any film over 400asa should not be x-rayed as it tends to "sour"..... in asia i had my pictures developed there so as to avoid at least one x-ray treatment....

NEVER PUT YOUR FILM IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE!!!!!! heavier x-rays used

It's kind of funny but since the TSA have taken over I have not been given any sort of a hard time about hand inspecting my film. At one station they did not even do the explosives testing, since I had all my Kodak film in clearish Fuji canisters the lady just looked at each roll and passed them on. I always set the alarm off with my shoes, next time I'll send those thru the scanner.

I use a lead bag for camera and film. It works well but causes a security search every time. In one instance I carried the film back & forth several times before using and when developed the color was terribly faded.

Auntgrapes,

You mean when you "carried the film back & forth several times", it was IN the lead bag?

And it still developed faded?

Er...maybe lead bags are about as useful as pet rocks?

Bree 70-yes, it was in the lead bag each time. I guess several exposures to the x-ray affected the film. I take a number of rolls w/me and if not used I don't take it a second time (use it at home). However, x-rayed rolls got mixed in with new and hence the multi exposures. I estimated four exposures.

I've never had a roll of film ruined while going through security...and they are usually in a cloth shoe bag in my carryon. Lately I understand we are not suppose to put film in our CHECKED luggage for the new machines are very strong.....so they ask that we carry it on. I am talking about European AND USA security........London, Paris, Naples, Milan . (We returned most recently in March 2003, and Nov 2002.)

Auntgrapes,

Thanks for the clarification.

I will be going through 3 separate security checkpoints before leaving the States.

Based on recent Fodorites experiences, perhaps I should just buy some Kodak film in Ireland.