Airport Security White List

[mradey]

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JFK T4 - happy to hand scan my rolls of Porta 160.

[LocalHero1953]

The Brussels Midi Eurostar terminal wouldn't hand check a bulk tin of Kodak Double X a few weeks ago (I don't blame them - there was a security scare - local gang shootings); I've since developed a roll and there is no sign of fogging.

[gbealnz]

Travelled Auckland to Melbourne and back last/this week, with both film and digital. Took film more as a trial to see if hand-checks are a possibility. Happy to say both airports could not have been easier, with hand checks of the film. I preempted it by having only the film cassettes in the clear plastic "ziplock" style bag. Once through I replaced the film into the plastic snap cap containers. On both occasions however they swabbed a cassette or two, "for explosives". 

[bags27]

Flew from Boston to San Francisco the other day with film and digital, so like Gary directly above an experiment with a backup. Boston was happy to handcheck. Don't know if I'll try it on the return from SFO, since I'll now have exposed film and I'm more invested in it emotionally. May end up Fedexing it back, which is my normal approach.

[gbealnz]

Adding slightly to my post and Kens, I went to Melbourne with the idea I could walk to a decent film supplier (Walkens), buy film, and shoot it. Plan was to then take that exposed film back to Walkens and have them process it, and post the negs back to me.

In the end I figured I'd like to at least try the system, and was happy that I did. Maybe if I had been there for longer than 5 nights, or shot a heap more film, or if the images were super precious (OK, all negs are super-precious), I might have opted for the buy and have it processed idea. As it happened I only had a few rolls, and took my chances.

I'd always figured I'd do this if we are ever back in Europe, but it sure takes the shine off shooting film while away.

[bags27]

On 5/29/2025 at 5:07 PM, bags27 said:

Flew from Boston to San Francisco the other day with film and digital, so like Gary directly above an experiment with a backup. Boston was happy to handcheck. Don't know if I'll try it on the return from SFO, since I'll now have exposed film and I'm more invested in it emotionally. May end up Fedexing it back, which is my normal approach.

end of story is that I did put it through SFO and they were happy to handcheck.

The 120 film at the Logan end was in wrappers and they wanted all the wrappers off. 

[grahamc]

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I just had quite an extensive trip and no problems with hand checks. I think the introduction of CT scanners has really helped because where there is CT the operators do seem knowledgable that film can't pass through (yes, I know there are probably still exceptions/risk).    Hand checks granted easily at the following airports July '25:

Sydney 

Hong Kong 

Dubai 

Paris 

Birmingham UK 

Frankfurt 

Kuala Lumpar 

[Mute-on]

2 hours ago, grahamc said:

I just had quite an extensive trip and no problems with hand checks. I think the introduction of CT scanners has really helped because where there is CT the operators do seem knowledgable that film can't pass through (yes, I know there are probably still exceptions/risk).    Hand checks granted easily at the following airports July '25:

Sydney 

Hong Kong 

Dubai 

Paris 

Birmingham UK 

Frankfurt 

Kuala Lumpar 

Thanks to your regular updates I’m actually contemplating future overseas travel with my beloved film Ms. As you say, the CT scanners which initially signalled a deathknell seem to have proven a saviour. 
 

Thank you @grahamc!

Edited July 27 by Mute-on

[grahamc]

26 minutes ago, Mute-on said:

Thanks to your regular updates I’m actually contemplating future overseas travel with my beloved film Ms. As you say, the CT scanners which initially signalled a deathknell seem to have proven a saviour. 
 

Thank you @grahamc!

Thank you!  That's quite alright.    I'd recommend the Domke bag also, and most recent trip I travelled with 'do not x-ray' sticker on the bag .  Seemed to legitimise the request when I showed and asked for hand check .    the sticker is here attached 

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