Never put film in a 'checked' bagThe scanners used for checked baggage are more powerful than those used in carry-on luggage and will very likely fog your film. Film and loaded cameras should always be taken in carry-on luggage.
People Also Ask
In the past, older models of X-ray scanners were even more damaging to film, particularly high ISO films. However, most current machines used for carry-on luggage scanning use a very mild dose of X-rays that is unlikely to cause any damage to your film if it's under 800 ISO.
The TSA has installed and operate more than 1,600 computed tomography machines in approximately 230 locations across the United States. These machines can damage your film!
Take your film out of all its packaging and wrappers and store it in a transparent, ziplock bag (the same way you would for all your liquids in your hand luggage). This way you can easily show it to airport security for hand inspection!
We recommend carrying your film in a clear plastic zip-lock-style bag, with which TSA is familiar. Leave your rolls in their plastic canisters and/or sealed packaging whenever possible. We try to keep our cameras unloaded so they can pass through the X-ray machine, but loaded cameras can also be hand-scanned.
This is a common concern and people have been asking us for years. X-ray in airport scanners don't affect film that is already developed – digital photos, slides, and developed pictures aren't affected. But undeveloped film is sensitive to light because they are waiting to be exposed.
TSA does not prohibit photographing, videotaping or filming at security checkpoints, as long as the screening process is not interfered with or sensitive information is not revealed.
Available in small, medium and large sizes, FilmGuard protects unprocessed sheet film and cassette film against the low-dosage x-ray machines that are used to check carry-on luggage at airports around the world.