Travel with film in metal box

[Einst_Stein]

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Theoretically, metal can block X-ray to protect films. I carry films in metal box ( metal box for tea or  candy, desert), hopping to protect the films. Sometimes I even added my wife’s aluminum kitchen foil. But I have not yet let it pass the airport security machines. Don’t know what would happen if the metal box beats the s3 unity machine.  I asked for hand check. 

Just curious, anyone has experiences leaving films in metal box  without hand cheching?

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[Chuck Albertson]

You'd need a lead box (or bag) to even begin blocking x-rays from the "old" Rapiscan machines. As for the new CT scanners, forget it. Besides, if the operator can't see inside the box by looking at the screen, if they're doing their job properly they'll open the box for a look.

[jaapv]

Unfortunately, a thin metal box won't do much - iron is only limited opaque to X-rays. I recommend a nice solid Golden box, say 5 mm thick. That will stop just about anything. 

Edited June 1, 2024 by jaapv

[Einst_Stein]

1 hour ago, jaapv said:

Unfortunately, a thin metal box won't do much - iron is only limited opaque to X-rays. I recommend a nice solid Golden box, say 5 mm thick. That will stop just about anything. 

That would not work. With that much of gold, you need to report explicitly. Definitely more trouble. 

Edited June 1, 2024 by Einst_Stein

[FrozenInTime]

A brass case with 2 or 3mm walls may worth a try https://xray.oxinst.com/learning/view/article/shielding-an-x-ray-tube ; not as good as lead but better than ferrous metal.

The X-rays at LHR had no problem in classifying the cylindrical pick-up spool inside my 0-series as a bullet casing.

[jankap]

vor 15 Stunden schrieb Einst_Stein:

Theoretically, metal can block X-ray to protect films. I carry films in metal box ( metal box for tea or  candy, desert), hopping to protect the films. Sometimes I even added my wife’s aluminum kitchen foil. But I have not yet let it pass the airport security machines. Don’t know what would happen if the metal box beats the s3 unity machine.  I asked for hand check. 

Just curious, anyone has experiences leaving films in metal box  without hand cheching?

You could ask the operator, if you may see the picture. Of course, in a time without traveller queue.

[Doug A]

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If I think of it, on our next flight I should put a sacrificial short roll of ISO 400 film in a FILCA cassette in whichever Barnack I put in my carry-on bag. A metal box in another metal box 😃 These days we only fly to one destination. I have B&H send a few rolls of film there along with any other bits and bobs I need. And on the way back to the airport there I drop off a pre-paid mailing box with both the exposed and any unexposed film at the post office.