Danger X Rays

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Danger: X-Rays

At airport security checks, signs claim that x-ray luggage scanners won't damage your film. True, a single zap of low-dose x-rays probably won't bother slower film rated up to ISO 400. But repeated passes have a cumulative effect that will "fog" unprocessed film. (It doesn't matter whether the film is exposed or unexposed.) This poses a real problem if a traveler passes through a number of airports during one vacation.

On the other hand, films rated ISO 800 or faster may be fogged by a single x-raying. And some scanners outside the U.S. are known to operate at relatively high x-ray level or may be out of adjustment, causing additional, unpredictable damage. The solution is not to pack film in your checked luggage. A powerful new x-ray unit, the CTX-5000, is being deployed to inspect this luggage. (It may also be used at security gates.)

Some travelers put film in lead foil bags, which offer some protection in the lower ISO ranges, while others invest in lead-lined bags. Thicker lead is more effective at shielding higher-speed film and multiple x-ray exposures.

Take your film out of the little cardboard boxes they come in. Ideally, the film cartridges will come in clear plastic containers, not black. If your film is in black containers, it's a good idea to remove your film from these containers prior to packing. (A benefit -- you can fit more cartridges in the same space.) If you have any of those clear containers left over from previous film purchases, transfer your film out of black containers into the see-through containers.

Pack film cartridges in a sturdy, clear plastic ZipLock bag and then insert this bag into an appropriately-sized lead-lined Security Film Bag, and place them in your carry-on bag, preferably on top of clothing and other contents.

As your luggage is x-rayed with your film safely inside the Security X-Ray bag(s), it will probably be selected for hand inspection, given that the agents will be unable to see through the lead-lined bags. But at this point, you have passed through the x-ray station! The agent will remove the clear plastic bag from your lead-lined Security Bag and, if your film cartridges are all visible in clear containers (or without any containers), wave you on your way.

Videotapes and digital cameras are not affected by x-rays, but are sensitive to the magnetic field inside the walk-through security gate and, at times, to the magnetic output of the conveyor belt motors. Place videotapes, your loaded video camera, and your digital camera on the conveyor belt with your hand luggage, or have them hand inspected.

Most important: Do not put films in checked luggage. The more powerful x-ray and new neutron tomography machines will destroy any kind of film. This has been confirmed by Kodak and Paris airport (among others). Damaged films show blueish stripes. Those tomographs are becoming widespread in European airports.

Tips for hand checking:
-arriving in advance and being polite helps..

Hand inspection can be required by the passenger in the USA (see below). In other countries rules are hazy, but you can always try. In the US, if they refuse present FAR 108-17.

In the USA keep a copy of the following with you, just in case:
Note: This document contains FAR Part 108 including Amendment 108-17 as published in the Federal Register on September 24, 1998.

PART 108 — AIRPLANE OPERATOR SECURITY
Sec. 108.17 Use of X-ray systems.

(e) No certificate holder may use an X-ray system to inspect carry-on or checked articles unless a sign is posted in a conspicuous place at the screening station and on the X-ray system which notifies passengers that such items are being inspected by an X-ray and advises them to remove all X-ray, scientific, and high-speed film from carry-on and checked articles before inspection. 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. If the X-ray system exposes any carry-on or checked articles to more than 1 milliroentgen during the inspection, the certificate holder shall post a sign which advises passengers to remove film of all kinds from their articles before inspection. If requested by passengers, their photographic equipment and film packages shall be inspected without exposure to an X-ray system.

[Doc. No. 108, 46 FR 3786, Jan. 15, 1981, as amended by Amdt. 108-1, 50 FR 25656, June 20, 1985; Doc. No. 26522, Amdt. Nos. 107-6 and 108-10, 56 FR 41425, Aug. 20, 1991; Doc. No. 26268, Amdt. No. 108-11, 56 FR 48373, Sept. 24, 1991]

VT Private Jet Service largely eliminates the intrusive security checks customary with post 9-11 commercial airline service.

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