Recent TSA Experience with Film.

9 replies [Last post]

Submitted By: Anonymous

Posted: February 19, 2006 - 9:01pm

On Friday I flew from St. Louis for Columbus Ohio. TSA screened my carry on with an X-Ray scan and made no mention of my lead film bag. I handed them a film can with Iflord 3200 and asked for a hand check. A screener opened the can and looked at the film.

Today I returned home. In Columbus I gave the 3200 to TSA and asked for a hand check. The screener called for a supervisor. Then they asked if I had a film bag in my carry on. The supervisor takes me aside to a station. She wipes the 3200 can with a paper circle and puts it in an explosive detection machine. Then she starts to go through my carry on. She picks out the lead film bag and says. "Is there anything in here that will harm me?" She takes the four rolls of Fuji 800 NPZ out and wipes each roll with an explosive wipe and puts it in the machine. She never opened a film can. She could ask me to open the film cans if she thought opening them was dangerous. It was also interesting that she refused my offer to open the carry on and give her the film bag (not open the bag just get it out to hand to her. This bag just went through the X-Ray machine. I must say this seems ridiculous to me.

I wonder why TSA does not have a consistent policy on film inspection. Do they think someone will make a film bomb and when TSA opens the lid it will blow up? Has anyone tried using two lead film bags rated at ISO 800 and just putting the film in checked luggage? Does anyone know if TSA has a written policy on lead film bags and/or how deal with high-spped film.

Submitted By: George Schaub

Joined: Apr 19 2011

Posts:

Re: Recent TSA Experience with Film.

Posted: February 22, 2006 - 11:38am

First off, please register when making comments or posing questions.
I do not recommned putting a lead film bag into checked luggage. This will usually prompt opening the bag (as they can't see what's inside) and that, from experience, can be a problem. The policy is that when requested they should hand screen and check film. I always carry high speed film, and even IR film, so ordinarily ask politely and the request has never been denied, on domestic flights. The FAA and TSA have the guidelines published on their web site.
There are certainly inconsistencies about all this, but having a printed copy of the guidlelines with you couldn't hurt.
BTW, I recently flew with IR B&W film and requested that they do not open the cannister, and they complied after swiping the outside of the can.

Submitted By: portia

Joined: Apr 4 2006

Posts:

Re: Recent TSA Experience with Film.

Posted: April 4, 2006 - 3:38pm

I have had them hand inspect the film, and they actually tore open all the foil wrapper of the 120 films! I thought that was pretty horrible. I think it happened in San Jose international airport, in 2004. Has this happened to anyone else?

Submitted By: roteague

Location: Kaneohe, HI

Joined: Jan 20 2006

Posts:

Re: Recent TSA Experience with Film.

Posted: April 4, 2006 - 6:44pm

Lead lined bags are waste of money. They don't work for checked luggage, and not necessary for carry on luggage.

George is right, just treat them with common courtesy and you will be fine.

Submitted By: pchaplo

Location: Texas

Joined: Feb 20 2006

Posts:

Re: Recent TSA Experience with Film.

Posted: April 24, 2006 - 10:32am

I use a tupperware clear box for MF rollfilm and zip locks for 35mm as TSA needs to see the roll. This speeds things up. Yes, they will ask you to remove the foil, and in the end they can make you do anything they want. Be prepared with clear containers, present professionally. If you have credentials, display them. Overall, i have found TSA courteous in assignments to 6 states in the last 4 months.

Paul

www.chaplo.com
www.paulchaplo.com
www.imagestock.us

Submitted By: sgreen

Joined: Aug 29 2005

Posts:

Re: Recent TSA Experience with Film.

Posted: April 30, 2006 - 12:40pm

TSA intentionally has inconsistent policies at various airports.

Submitted By: wageorge

Joined: May 22 2006

Posts:

Re: Recent TSA Experience with Film.

Posted: May 23, 2006 - 4:45pm

They do have a consistent policy. If anyone wants to know anything about TSA ask me. I am an instructor. I will tell you what I can.

Submitted By: wageorge

Joined: May 22 2006

Posts:

Re: Recent TSA Experience with Film.

Posted: May 23, 2006 - 4:49pm

They are instructed to let you know verbally or in writing that film in checked baggage can be harmed. (Stronger X-ray machine). In carry-on, they are supposed to honor any request for a hand-check, and they also are taught to let you know that anyfilm 800 speed or higher has a greater risk of being harmed in the lesser strength x-ray at the checkpoint. By that way, you would be suprised on waht people can make an improvised explosive device from.

Submitted By: thecolortech

Location: minnesota,usa

Joined: Oct 3 2006

Posts:

Re: Recent TSA Experience with Film.

Posted: October 3, 2006 - 7:58pm

Thankyou very helpful for upcoming trip
carrying 120 and 220 film
I have never had a problem with TSA at msp always happy and not threatening.
They are doing the best they can with what they have.
Thanks again

Submitted By: nicolae

Joined: Jan 24 2013

Posts:

This was ridiculous indeed.

Posted: March 28, 2013 - 7:36am

This was ridiculous indeed. It happened to me too. I had some things on plastic bags and they acted like using plastic bags could be very dangerous for them and the others around me. First I was furious but in the end I started laughing.