8/14/25

What to Do When Airport Staff Refuse to Hand-Check Your Film

Hey everyone, let's talk about something that sends a shiver down the spine of every analog photographer: airport security. You’ve spent a fortune on your favorite film stocks, carefully planned your shots, & are excited to capture some memories on your trip. But then you hit the security line & face the dreaded X-ray scanner. The anxiety is real. You politely ask for a hand-check, but the agent just shakes their head. "It has to go through." UGH.
Honestly, it's a frustrating & sometimes confusing situation. The rules can seem inconsistent, staff can be rushed, & the information out there is a mixed bag of personal anecdotes & outdated advice. So, what’s the real deal? What are your rights, what are the actual risks, & what can you do when you’re stuck in that high-pressure situation?
I’ve done a TON of digging on this, sifting through official guidelines, lab recommendations, & horror stories from fellow film shooters. Here’s the comprehensive guide on how to navigate airport security with your precious film.

The Big Deal: Why We Even Worry About X-Rays

First off, let's get into why this is such a major concern. It's not just photographers being overly dramatic. The technology used to scan our bags can genuinely mess up your film. But here's the thing: not all scanners are created equal. This is the MOST important thing to understand.

Old-School X-Ray Scanners vs. The New CT Scanners

For years, the main threat was the standard X-ray machine for carry-on bags. These use a relatively low level of radiation. The official stance from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been that these machines are safe for any film with an ISO speed of up to 800. I've seen countless photographers confirm that they've put rolls of Kodak Gold 200 or Portra 400 through these scanners multiple times with no visible damage. The effect is said to be cumulative, so one pass might be fine, but five or six could start to show some fogging or grain.
BUT, and this is a HUGE but, airports are rapidly upgrading their technology. The new machines you’re seeing more & more are Computed Tomography (CT) scanners. These are the same powerful scanners that have been used for checked baggage for years. You know, the ones everyone has warned you to NEVER put film through.
CT scanners work differently. They create a much more detailed 3D image of your bag's contents, which is great for security, but TERRIBLE for film. They use a significantly higher level of X-ray radiation that can fog & ruin ANY film stock, regardless of its ISO. We're talking streaks, loss of detail, & a general "muddy" look that no amount of post-processing can fix. There are heartbreaking stories all over the internet of people getting back ruined rolls from a trip, all because their carry-on went through a CT scanner. One TikToker lost 39 exposures on a disposable camera, and a professional photographer had 18 rolls of film damaged.
So, the risk is no longer just about high-speed films. With the rollout of these new CT scanners for carry-on luggage, ALL film is at risk. This is why getting a hand-check has gone from a "best practice" for professionals to something every single film photographer needs to be prepared for.

The Official Rules: What the TSA Says

Knowing the official guidelines is your first line of defense. It helps you understand what you can reasonably ask for. According to the TSA's own website & communications, they have specific rules about traveling with film.
Here’s a breakdown of the key points from the TSA:
  • NEVER Pack Film in Checked Luggage: This is the golden rule. The equipment used for checked bags is high-intensity & WILL damage your film. They are very clear about this: always keep undeveloped film in your carry-on bag.
  • Hand-Inspections Are Allowed: The TSA explicitly states that you can, and should, ask for a hand-inspection for certain types of film.
  • What Qualifies for a Hand-Check?: According to them, you should request a hand-check if you are traveling with:
    • Film with an ISO of 800 or higher
    • Highly sensitive X-ray or scientific films
    • Film that you plan to "push process" (which increases its sensitivity)
    • Sheet film & large format film
    • Motion picture film
    • Professional-grade film
    • ANY film that will be subjected to X-ray screening more than five times
Now, you might notice a little loophole here. Their public-facing info often focuses on the "under 800 ISO is safe" line, which doesn't fully account for the new CT scanners that are harmful to all film. However, the existence of a formal hand-check policy is what you need to leverage.

Preparing for the Airport: Setting Yourself Up for Success

Success at the security checkpoint often starts before you even leave the house. The more prepared you are, the smoother the process will be.

1. Organize Your Film

Don't just have your film scattered throughout your bag.
  • Use a Clear Plastic Bag: This is the number one tip from pretty much every source. Put all of your film—and only your film—into a clear, zip-top bag. This makes it easy for the TSA agent to see what you have & inspect it quickly.
  • Keep it Accessible: Place this bag in an easily reachable pocket of your carry-on. You don't want to be the person holding up the line while you frantically dig through a packed suitcase. A backpack is usually better than a roller bag for this.

2. The "Trojan Horse" Method: Bring High-Speed Film

This is a clever trick that many seasoned photographers swear by. Even if you're shooting with Portra 400 or Ektar 100, buy a single roll of a high-speed film like Ilford Delta 3200 or Kodak T-Max P3200.
Place it right on top in your clear bag so the "3200" is clearly visible. Why? Because even at airports with the most stubborn agents, it’s hard for them to argue with the explicit rule about film over 800 ISO needing a hand-check. Often, when they see the high-ISO roll, they’ll agree to hand-check the entire bag of film without much fuss. It's a simple, effective way to use their own rules to your advantage.

3. Should You Use a Lead-Lined "Film Safe" Bag?

You’ve probably seen these lead-lined bags for sale. The idea is that they block the X-rays. Here's the modern consensus: DON'T BOTHER.
While they might have offered some protection against the older, weaker X-ray machines, they are largely useless against the new CT scanners. In fact, they can make things WORSE. When an agent sees a black, impenetrable blob on their screen (which is what a lead bag looks like), their first instinct is to pull the bag for inspection. They might even turn up the intensity of the scanner to try and see through it, potentially exposing your film to even more radiation. You'll have to take the film out of the lead bag anyway, so you’ve just added an extra, pointless step. A clear plastic bag is the way to go.

4. Arrive Early & Stay Calm

This is more of a mental preparation tip, but it’s SO important. Rushing to catch your flight is stressful enough. Adding a potential confrontation over your film just makes it worse. Give yourself an extra 15-20 minutes to get through security. This way, if you do get a refusal, you have time to calmly ask for a supervisor without panicking about your gate closing.
Speaking of calm, your attitude makes a huge difference. Agents are dealing with thousands of stressed-out people a day. A polite, friendly, & patient approach will get you much further than an argumentative or demanding one.
Getting to the airport can be a hassle in itself, finding a good parking spot can be a nightmare & set a stressful tone for the whole trip. I've started using Prked to book a private driveway near the airport. It's cheaper than the official lots & SO much more convenient. You just book it online, park your car, & grab your shuttle. It's one less thing to worry about, so you can arrive at the security line feeling a bit more relaxed & ready to handle the film situation.

At the Checkpoint: The Moment of Truth

Okay, you're in line, your film is in its clear bag, & you’re ready. Here’s how to handle the interaction.
  1. Make the Request Clearly & Politely: As you approach the conveyor belt, make eye contact with an agent. Hold up your clear bag of film & say something like, "Hi, I have photographic film here that is very sensitive to X-rays. Could I please get a hand-inspection for it?"
  2. Be Proactive: Don't just place the bag on the belt & hope someone notices. Take it out of your carry-on yourself & present it for the hand-check.
  3. Know Your Stuff (A Little): If they hesitate or say "it's safe for film," you can politely respond with, "I understand that's true for the older X-ray machines, but I've been advised that the newer CT scanners can damage all film stocks. I'm a professional/serious hobbyist, & I can't risk it." Mentioning that you have high-speed film (if you brought your "Trojan Horse" roll) is also a powerful move here.

What to Do When They Say "No"

This is the moment we all dread. You’ve been polite, you've explained the situation, & the agent still refuses. Don't give up just yet. You have a couple more cards to play.

Step 1: Ask for a Supervisor

This is your most important escalation step. The front-line agents may be less experienced or simply trying to keep the line moving. Supervisors are generally better trained on the specific regulations & are more likely to understand the nuances of the film-scanning issue.
Say something calm & non-confrontational like: "I understand your position, but I am not comfortable with my film going through the scanner. Could I please speak with your supervisor to discuss it?"
Often, the mere act of asking for a supervisor is enough to get the agent to just do the hand-check. They don't want the hassle. If the supervisor does come over, calmly & politely explain the situation again. Reiterate that you have sensitive photographic materials & you are following TSA's own recommendation to request a hand-inspection.

Step 2: A Quick Google Search (If You Have Time)

One YouTuber gave a pretty clever, if a bit extreme, tip. If you can see the model of the scanner they're using, a quick Google search on your phone might pull up the manufacturer's data sheet. Sometimes, these sheets will explicitly state the maximum ISO that the machine is rated for, which might be lower than what the agent is claiming. This is a bit of a power move & might not be necessary, but it's an option in your back pocket if you're facing a really difficult situation.

Step 3: International Travel & The Unfortunate Reality

It’s important to remember that these are primarily TSA (U.S.) guidelines. When you're traveling internationally, all bets are off. Security procedures vary wildly from country to country. Some European airports, for example, are known for being very strict & are less likely to grant hand-checks. In a Reddit thread, a user described their frustrating experience in Vienna, where staff refused a hand-check, claiming their X-rays were safe up to 1600 ISO.
In these situations, you have to make a tough call. If they absolutely, positively will not hand-check your film, & you have no other choice, you have to let it go through the scanner. It's a terrible feeling, but arguing to the point of missing your flight or getting into a serious confrontation isn't worth it. This is why some people opt to buy film at their destination or ship it home via a carrier like FedEx or UPS, though that comes with its own set of risks & costs.

You're Also a Storage Pro

Let's say you're not a photographer, but you're reading this because you're moving or just have a lot of stuff. You might be surprised to learn that you can apply some of these same principles to other aspects of your life. For example, if you need a place to store your belongings, you might not think about renting out someone's unused space.
That's where a service like Prked comes in handy for storage too. Instead of a traditional, expensive storage unit, you can find a safe & affordable spot to keep your things by renting someone's empty garage, basement, or even a large closet. It’s like the Airbnb of storage & can be a lifesaver when you're in between places or just need to declutter.
And if you're the one with that extra space? You can list your garage or attic on Prked & start making some passive income. It’s a pretty cool way to monetize a part of your home you're not even using. Just like with film, it's about finding smart, alternative solutions to common problems.

The Aftermath: What if Your Film Does Go Through?

So, the worst-case scenario happened. Your film went through the scanner. What now?
Don't panic just yet. If it was a traditional X-ray machine & your film was under 800 ISO, it might be completely fine. If it was a CT scanner, there will likely be some damage, but the extent can vary.
The best thing to do is to get it developed as soon as you can. For black & white film, there are some anti-fogging agents that developers can use to try & mitigate the damage. For color film, you might be able to salvage some images with careful editing in Photoshop, but significant damage is often irreversible.
If you get home & find your film is ruined, you can file a complaint with the airport's security administration. It might not get your photos back, but it adds to the data & could help influence policy changes down the line.

Tying It All Together: Your Airport Security Checklist

This is a lot of information, I know. So let’s boil it down to a simple checklist you can run through before your next flight:
  1. NEVER pack film in checked luggage. EVER.
  2. Organize all your film in a single, clear, zip-top plastic bag.
  3. Include a "Trojan Horse" roll of 3200-speed film to strengthen your case for a hand-check.
  4. Arrive early to give yourself plenty of time & reduce stress.
  5. Politely & clearly request a hand-inspection for your film at the checkpoint.
  6. If refused, calmly ask to speak with a supervisor.
  7. Know when to give in. If you're traveling internationally or have exhausted all your options, sometimes you just have to let it go.
Flying with film in 2025 is definitely more challenging than it used to be. The technology is changing, & not always for the better when it comes to analog photography. But by being prepared, knowing the rules, & handling the situation with a cool head, you can give yourself the best possible chance of getting your precious film to your destination safe & sound.
Hope this was helpful! Let me know about your own experiences in the comments – the more we share, the more we all learn. Safe travels & happy shooting
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