Travel Tips & Trends

Film and Airport Security

If you're traveling with camera gear, always place film in your carry-on baggage. The X-ray equipment used for screening checked baggage is more highly powered and will damage undeveloped film.

While one or two passes through airport security machines for carry-on baggage will not harm most film, damage is possible if the roll of film is X-rayed more than five times.

You may ask for a hand inspection if you are concerned. The Transportation Security Administration recommends that you always request a hand inspection for the following types of film:

Film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher.
Film that is or will be underexposed.
Film that you intend to push-process.
Specialty films such as X-ray, medical or scientific, sheet, large-format and motion picture films.

Hand inspections go faster if you place rolls of film in a clear plastic bag instead of the usual black canisters.

Digital photographers don't need to take these precautions. No airport security equipment (whether for carry-on or checked baggage) affects digital cameras or memory cards.