A "ho

But I don't wanna have my film scanned!!!

 Recently there has been a lot of stink about the ineptitude of the X-ray techs at the nations airports. Since September 11th, 2001, airline travel has been significantly changed. Gone are the days of showing up 20 minutes before your flight and schmoozing your way quickly
through the lines. Gone are the days of using utensils for your dinner in first class. Gone are the days of passenger rights. Frankly I applaud the new measures, and don't mind the new procedures. I would much rather arrive at my destination slightly offended and inconvenienced than to not arrive at all. Please keep that in mind, it's nothing personal, and we're all going through it.

One issue that has plagued photographers is that we are now screwed. We cannot take monopods or tripods on board with us anymore. We also must fight tooth and nail to get our film (for us old school shooters) on board without exposure to the airport X-ray scanner. More on that later. Though we cannot take our "pods" on with us, as well as the ubiquitous Leatherman tools, we can also only take one carry on and one personal item. Use this to your advantage. Get a laptop case that is large enough to stow lenses and camera bodies as well. Don't limit yourself to the tiny briefcase.

Now then... Film and X-ray exposure...

The problem is real. The scanners can and eventually will damage your undeveloped film. I've already seen the problem twice and it ruined nearly 150 rolls in two incidents. The problem isn't associated with new scanning policies, more than it is with faulty machines... (at least that is what I'm assuming the problem is.) Dayton International Airport in Ohio is one suspected unit, and the other is Sky Harbor's terminal 2 scanner.

The problem is that we have always been allowed to have our film hand inspected, but now they will swear up and down the pole that no hand inspections will be allowed. This is completely false. The X-tech's aren't briefed on the regulations as often as they should, and are only following orders about scanning everything. They will also tell you that unless the film is 1000 ISO or higher it will be fine. Hey, that's great, but what if you push your FUJI 400 film two stops??? See the problem? Regardless, I actually had 400 iso film fogged and it was processed normal.

The following is the FAA regulations for airport X-ray scanners:

Title 14- Aeronautics and Space
CHAPTER I -- FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PART 108 -- AIRCRAFT OPERATOR SECURITY

--- 108.209.3.e ---

? 108.209 Use of X-ray systems.

(a) No aircraft operator may use any X-ray system within the United States or under the aircraft operator's operational control outside the United States to inspect accessible property or checked baggage, unless specifically authorized under a security program under this part. No aircraft operator may use such a system in a manner contrary to its security program. The Administrator authorizes aircraft operators to use X-ray systems for inspecting accessible property or checked baggage under a security program if the aircraft operator shows that --

(1) The system meets the standards for cabinet X-ray systems primarily for the inspection of baggage issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and published in 21 CFR 1020.40;

(2) A program for initial and recurrent training of operators of the system is established, which includes training in radiation safety, the efficient use of X-ray systems, and the identification of explosives, incendiaries, and deadly or dangerous weapons; and

(3) The system meets the imaging requirements set forth in its security program using the step wedge specified in American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) Standard F792-88 (Re-approved 1993). This standard is incorporated by reference in paragraph (g) of this section.

(b) No aircraft operator may use any X-ray system unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months, a radiation survey is conducted that shows that the system meets the applicable performance standards in 21 CFR 1020.40.

(c) No aircraft operator may use any X-ray system after the system has been installed at a screening point or after the system has been moved unless a radiation survey is conducted which shows that the system meets the applicable performance standards in 21 CFR 1020.40. A radiation survey is not required for an X-ray system that is designed and constructed as a mobile unit and the aircraft operator shows that it can be moved without altering its performance.

(d) No aircraft operator may use any X-ray system that is not in full compliance with any defect notice or modification order issued for that system by the FDA, unless the FDA has advised the FAA that the defect or failure to comply does not create a significant risk of injury, including genetic injury, to any person.

(e) No aircraft operator may use any X-ray system to inspect accessible property or checked baggage unless a sign is posted in a conspicuous place at the screening checkpoint or where checked baggage is accepted which notifies individuals that such items are being inspected by an X-ray and advises them to remove all X-ray, scientific, and high-speed film from accessible property and checked baggage before inspection. This sign shall also advise individuals 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 accessible property or checked baggage to more than one milliroentgen during the inspection, the aircraft operator shall post a sign that advises individuals to remove film of all kinds from their articles before inspection. If requested by individuals, their photographic equipment and film packages shall be inspected without exposure to an X-ray system.

(f) Each aircraft operator shall maintain at least one copy of the results of the most recent radiation survey conducted under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section and shall make it available for inspection upon request by the Administrator at each of the following locations --

(1) The aircraft operator's principal business office; and

(2) The place where the X-ray system is in operation.

(g) The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard F792-88 (Reapproved 1993), "Standard Practice for Design and Use of Ionizing Radiation Equipment for the Detection of Items Prohibited in Controlled Access Areas," was approved for incorporation by reference by the Director of the Federal Register pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. ASTM Standard F792-88 may be examined at the Department of Transportation (DOT) Docket, 400 Seventh Street SW, Room Plaza 401, Washington, DC 20590, or on DOT's Docket Management System (DMS) web page at http://dms.dot.gov/search (under docket number FAA-2001-8725). Copies of the standard may be examined also at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol St., NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC. In addition, ASTM Standard F792-88 (Reapproved 1993) may be obtained from the American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.

(h) Each aircraft operator shall comply with the X-ray operator duty time limitations specified in its security program.

-30-

These regulations change on a rapid basis and are often moved to entirely new sections. The info is current as of 1/15/02. If you would like to print out an updated copy,
be sure to go to this link before your next trip, and find the "Use of X-ray systems" link.

 

Beware the Kodak CTX-5000 scanner
This is the scanner we have all heard about... The one that searches and destroys. It will run a primary scan just like any normal baggage scanner, but if anything suspect shows up, it will run a secondary, more intense scan similar to a CAT scan. This super does of radiation will nuke even 50 iso film. It is rumored that these scanners will be phased in to airport checkpoints over the years, and even be in place during major events like the Olympics and such
outside of the venues to scan items.

 

The following is an advisory posted by FUJI Films:

Increased Airport Scanning Procedures Fog Photographic Film

In an effort to make the skies safer after the tragic events of September 11th, use of baggage scanners to detect explosive devices has been increased at airports around the country. Because of its silver content and metal canisters, photographic film, especially large packages or
bundles of film, appears particularly suspect. Unfortunately, the scanners are fogging undeveloped film left in checked baggage. Unlike the airport x-ray equipment of the past, which had little or no effect on unprocessed film, the International Imaging Industry Association, Inc. (I3A) has tested these scanners at the request of the FAA and determined they have the potential to fog both unprocessed color and black and white film. Processed film is unaffected.

While we applaud the FAA in their efforts to ensure that checked baggage is safe, we also realize that your pictures are very important to you and want to do all we can to see that your photographic memories are preserved. We offer the following suggestions to help you avoid
damage to your film by these scanners.

* Make sure there is no unprocessed film in your checked baggage.

* Carry your undeveloped film with you as carry-on baggage and
ask for hand inspection whenever possible. Place film in a separate
mesh or clear plastic bag for easy identification by airport security.

* When carrying large amounts of unprocessed film, contact the airline
prior to your flight to arrange for a special baggage inspection. When
possible, send your film via a cargo carrier that will certify that the film
will not be x-rayed. The FAA and I3A are currently working on guidelines
with respect to this situation.

* At some airports, passengers may be randomly selected from the carryon
baggage check line and their carryon luggage scanned as checked baggage.
Please be aware that this scan will fog film. If you are asked to step into
another line, remove your film from your carryon baggage.

* In time, security measures at airports may increase, and stronger
scanners may be used to scan even carryon baggage. Be aware of the
signs in the airport; most carryon baggage scanners, at this time, will
be marked as "Film Safe" if they will not damage your film.