Does film have to be in your carry on bag or your checked luggage for an airplane ride?

Answer 1

I have always been told that the carry on bad is best, as they are using stronger x-rays checking the hold luggage.

Answer 2

Film must be in your carry-on. Film of ANY speed will be damaged by the checked luggage X-rays (I would assume that those X-rays are stronger, for whatever reason).

If the film is under 800 ISO, it won't be harmed by the X-rays you'll find on most checkpoints, but you can always have it hand checked. I never have to have mine hand checked when I travel, but I usually carry 200 or 400 speed flim. I take more landscape pictures than "action" photos, so I don't usually have to worry about it. But again, it depends on the speed of your film.

But I can almost guarantee you that if you put film in your checked bag it will be ruined.

Answer 3

Depends on where you are flying from and to. In some countries you can just notify them that you have it it a carryon. In others they will not allow it as film is combustible in itself. Plus unused film wrapping is packaged so they may require you to open it........ often they will just take it away.

Best thing is to put it in your checked luggage. Odds are it wont be noticed. They make bags for film that will protect against Xrays. If they have an issue you can work it out later.... but odds are nobody will.

Sure it is not the same but have you considered digital? The advances that have been made and what is now available...... digital SLRs now at 700 dollars..... are amazing.

Answer 4

Either option is fine but, used film is best on carry on.

Answer 5

Carry on. Tell them you have it, so they can run a test on it that does not send it through the xray machine.

Answer 6

Either.