Airports and X-Rays

Miguel_Sanchez

Went to New York recently and on the way back foolishly packed 3 rolls of high speed black and white film in my checked luggage. I have been told that the X-Rays they use for luggage going into the hold will definitely wipe film. Anyone know if this stuff is unusable now or should I just bite the bullet, shoot one off and have it developed to find out?

neacy69

I had disposable camera's in my bag last time i was in NY and they were fine when developed....

Stephen

The X-ray machines they use to screen checked baggage are known to be stronger alright, and given that its high speed film, I wouldn't get my hopes up. You may as well try and get one roll developed and see if its salvageable.

trooney

Didn't it used to be the case that you could demand your camera be 'hand searched', as opposed to going through the x-ray machine?
I do remember going through airports - specifically JFK - years ago and having the security staff have a quick grope of my camera to make sure it wasn't concealing anything illegal (drugs, explosives, fugees, etc.) and then not having to have it go through the scanner. Course, that was a different place in time. I'm sure if you even suggested that now in the US (or anywhere for that matter?) you can resign yourself to a cell with a view in Cooba.

SuperSean11

Id say theyll be grand theyd hav to warn you if thats the case