Film Cameras in Checked Luggage

If you are travelling by air with a film camera, don't forget that now
all airlines require cameras to be in checked luggage, not carried on
board. It is absolutely essential to have the film (and the camera
containing film) in a lead pouch. Otherwise, many strong x-rays used
for checked luggage will fry all your film.

Camera stores have or can get the lead pouches.

On my last trip, I had some instant coffee in a plastic container with
a small silver-plated spoon. One of the x-ray machines was so strong
that it melted and solidified all the coffee! Not exactly film safe!

Larry in Berkeley, California

"Larry in Berkeley" <seaotter6@aol.com> wrote in
news:1155486615.215777.296700@m73g2000cwd.******** o********:
> If you are travelling by air with a film camera, don't forget that now
> all airlines require cameras to be in checked luggage, not carried on
> board. It is absolutely essential to have the film (and the camera
> containing film) in a lead pouch. Otherwise, many strong x-rays used
> for checked luggage will fry all your film.

Don't they just jack up the Xray machine if they see a lead pounch in
your luggage? Or will they break your locks to see what it is in the
lead pouch? I think you're better off switching to digital or
buying/developing film at your destination.

>Larry in Berkeley wrote:
> If you are travelling by air with a film camera, don't forget that now
> all airlines require cameras to be in checked luggage, not carried on
> board.

Not true for the most part ... mostly affects flights in and out of the
UK ...

tucsondiver@************ wrote in
news:1155498312.446439.93330@i42g2000cwa.********* ********:
> I've been using the TSA-approved locks on my dive bag and have been
> quite happy with them. They're pretty heavy and seem impervious
> even to rough baggage-handling. The TSA is supposed to be the only
> agency with the device that will open the lock, but I suspect that
> will change when crooks manage to get their hands on one or figure
> out how to bypass it.

What happens if you travel to an airport not associated with the TSA?

In article <1155486615.215777.296700@m73g2000cwd.************ .com>,
"Larry in Berkeley" <seaotter6@aol.com> wrote:

> If you are travelling by air with a film camera, don't forget that now
> all airlines require cameras to be in checked luggage, not carried on
> board. It is absolutely essential to have the film (and the camera
> containing film) in a lead pouch. Otherwise, many strong x-rays used
> for checked luggage will fry all your film.
>
> Camera stores have or can get the lead pouches.
>
> On my last trip, I had some instant coffee in a plastic container with
> a small silver-plated spoon. One of the x-ray machines was so strong
> that it melted and solidified all the coffee! Not exactly film safe!
>
> Larry in Berkeley, California

Wrong. The new policy about no carry-ons only applies to flights between
the UK and USA.

Guess what?

I just found out TODAY, I'm going to the UK, probably within the next
four months (depends when I get the tickets). I'll have to head over
there pronto to see family, just AFTER this whole mess.

Better after than the day of. Maybe in four months some things will be
straightened out.

S.


Technobarbarian wrote:
> Yeef, almost no carry on at all in and out of Britain. That must be fun
> on a transatlantic flight.
>
> TB

"Larry in Berkeley" <seaotter6@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1155486615.215777.296700@m73g2000cwd.******** o********...
> If you are travelling by air with a film camera, don't forget that now
> all airlines require cameras to be in checked luggage, not carried on
> board. It is absolutely essential to have the film (and the camera
> containing film) in a lead pouch. Otherwise, many strong x-rays used
> for checked luggage will fry all your film.
>
> Camera stores have or can get the lead pouches.
>
> On my last trip, I had some instant coffee in a plastic container with
> a small silver-plated spoon. One of the x-ray machines was so strong
> that it melted and solidified all the coffee! Not exactly film safe!
>
> Larry in Berkeley, California

Thanks for doing your part to spread misinformation.

tucsondiver@************ wrote:
> Only a couple of
> times have i found a note from the TSA saying they'd opened my bag.

I come into the US from overseas, with a ski bag, and they seem to always
open my stuff (and make a bloody mess of my careful packing and stuff gets
broken). I get the little sheet announcing they've been in there.

--
ant

Sapphyre wrote:
> Guess what?
>
> I just found out TODAY, I'm going to the UK, probably within the next
> four months (depends when I get the tickets). I'll have to head over
> there pronto to see family, just AFTER this whole mess.

You have lots of time to shop for a nice clear plastic bag.

--
ant

On 2006-08-13 12:30:15 -0400, "Larry in Berkeley" <seaotter6@aol.com> said:

> On my last trip, I had some instant coffee in a plastic container with
> a small silver-plated spoon. One of the x-ray machines was so strong
> that it melted and solidified all the coffee!

"Melted" coffee? It's already a liquid!

"Solidified" it? After it had been "melted"? NOT LIKELY!

X-rays don't do that.