Flying with film...

[dadsm3]

Really sorry about this guys, I'm sure it's covered here somewhere but I can't find it.
Going from Toronto to Chicago.....
So if I want to fly with film I should keep my camera empty and give them the unexposed rolls to inspect without putting them through the airport x-ray scanner?
And ditto with the exposed rolls back into Canada?
Mike

 

[tripod]

Good question. Would Customs open a camera if you told them there was film loaded?

 

[JeffGreene]

In the US regulations allow for a customer to request a hand inspection. I don't know about Canada, but I travel a fair bit with film, and use a heavy duty lead-lined bag that I carry on with me. I've never had a problem.

Jeff

 

[literiter]

Really sorry about this guys, I'm sure it's covered here somewhere but I can't find it.
Going from Toronto to Chicago.....
So if I want to fly with film I should keep my camera empty and give them the unexposed rolls to inspect without putting them through the airport x-ray scanner?
And ditto with the exposed rolls back into Canada?
Mike

I'm nervous flying with film period. Inspectors can and will arbitrarily inspect whatever and whenever they deem necessary. I wouldn't try to second guess them.

If possible I try to find a source of film, and a lab at my destination. I will take a few rolls with me. I've taken film in my carry on luggage with no problems up till now but I'm a little nervous. I'll not leave the film in the camera.

There is also the digital solution. (but I've never tried it.)

 

[moonwire]

i have been reading up on this quite a bit. the verdict seems that anything 400 (or even 800)or slower is fine for hand baggage scanning (i have traveled to europe with ISO 400 film and didn't have any problems). i will be traveling very soon and i'm planning on shooting neopan 1600 and delta 3200. yes, i'm nervous about that.

 

[slm]

I flew Montreal to Las Vegas last fall. I had all my film in a large zip lock bag, and let it go through the xray machine for carry on baggage. On the return trip, I asked for a manual inspection of the exposed film which was again in the clear zip lock, and had no problems. The agent simply took the bag, a quick glance, and gave it back. It was all 100 iso film, not in any canisters. My understanding is the xray machine won't cause any problems for under 800 iso film, but I thought I'd try out asking for the separate inspection. I was nervous it inspection would cause a hassle, but thankfully it didn't.

 

[newsgrunt]

I wouldn't worry about getting film scanned at the security control. Flew cross Canada with 4x5 tri x ( exposed and unexposed ) with five or six passes and no probs at all. DO NOT put film into checked baggage, you will get zapped film rendering it useless.

Always forgot to ask for hand inspect but never hurts to ask. When I used to travel with hundreds of rolls of 35 at a time, it would all go in a mesh bag and they'd usually feel the bag and look at it and send me on my way. This was pre 9-11 so ymmv today.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Mike

The last time I flew with film was two years ago so take it for what it is worth as things may have changed. I had no trouble getting hand inspection of film at our local Canadian airport. If you want to request hand inspection have only the naked film cassettes, not in the plastic cannisters, in the zip lock bag. It will aid in their inspection because from personal experience it is a real pain to get all the film out of the cannisters for inspection. OTH I have flown and simply let the film go through hand baggage xray and had no trouble with 400/800 print film. I have had no trouble getting hand inspection in other countrys. Either way I think you are fairly safe.

Bob

 

[bmattock]

USA:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1035.shtm

Canada:

http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/english/travel_voyage/list.shtml

Camera Equipment*
Note: We recommend that you put undeveloped film and cameras containing undeveloped film in your carry-on baggage or take undeveloped film with you to the checkpoint and ask the screener to conduct a hand-inspection.

http://www.catsa.gc.ca/english/media/rel_comm/2002-12-30.shtml

All spelled out, black and white, very easy to understand. People seem to have trouble with this and insist on making up their own idea of what the rules are.

Sorry guys, but it bugs me. Get the facts from the authorities charged with enforcing the rules.

 

[dadsm3]

Well, there you have it. Not a problem afterall.
Thanks Bill et al.