[LargeFormat] Air Travel with Film - Precautions (was Re: Large Format in Rome, Italy)

[Pete Caluori]

Greetings,

Just thought I'd share my recent experiences in traveling to Ecuador.  I 
didn't take a LF camera for several reasons, but settled on a 120.

On departing Denver CO, I politely requested a had search of the roll film, 
which was all removed from the packaging and in clear plastic bags.  My 
request was denied.  I told the checkers that some of the film was IR and 
sure to be damaged by the X-ray, so they agreed to hand check just those 
rolls.  They swabbed each one checking for residual explosives.  Even though 
I had already cleared the screening process and was just waiting for them to 
finish checking the IR film, one of the checkers approached me and said as 
long as I was waiting, why not take off my shoes so they could check them - 
you never can be too sure!

While boarding the plane, I was stopped in the breeze way and a complete 
search was performed - I guess it was my lucky day.  On the surface, many 
people probably feel comforted by things like this, but in reality, its a 
joke.  On the surface security is heightened, but IMHO its no better than 
before 9/11.  If someone really wants to do something - they can.

It doesn't take me long to learn, so every flight after that (I flew 8 more 
times on that trip) I simply stuffed the 40 rolls of 120 into my pockets and 
walked past the X-ray - no problem.  This is just one of the reasons I say 
security is a joke.  Two plastic bags, each filled with 20 rolls is pretty 
sizable.  I go walking up to the screening area and in view of the 
screeners, open my pack, remove these two large bags, stuff them in my 
pockets and proceed through the metal detectors.  I did this 8 times and not 
once was given a second look. I guess one should always travel with baggy 
pants!

My wife had her 35mm camera and film X-rayed when we left Denver, but once 
wasn't enough.  After her pack emerged from X-ray machine, they put it back 
through for a second scan.  Then they kept it there for quite a while, moved 
it back and forth and finally called a supervisor, who hand inspected it.  
When we took out the 35mm film it was warm to the touch; I'm assuming it was 
warm from al the X-rays???  As soon as they found the small headphones, we 
were allowed to proceed.  I thought the film would surely be toast, but 
after having it developed, it turned out just fine.

Now I know I can get 4x5 film into some pants, but it going to be awfully 
hard with 8x10!!!!

Regards, Pete



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