Originally posted by gofour3 "Modern" airport carry-on luggage scanners are usually ok if you have slower film. (Under 800ISO) However some third-world countries may still use scanners that can harm film, also checked luggage scanners will fog all film. The best practice is still to ask for a hand scan of all your film, the screeners are “supposed” to comply with these requests. I have only been turned down once.
Phil.
this is what I do when I travel, and for the 5 trips from here to the Philippines (Savannah to Houston, Houston to Tokyo, Tokyo to Manila, Manila to Tokyo, Tokyo to Virginia, Virginia to Savannah) I have always had this request granted, though sometimes grudgingly. (the grudging always comes in Virginia. (I hate Washington Dulles International)
when I travel, I tend to actually take three 'kits'. I have a 35mm SLR, a digital 'P&S' and depending on what else I might want to do, either a DSLR (K7) or my medium format (6x7 polaroid back) I also always carry a 13" macbook pro and an iPhone. the macbook pro has two hard drives (in place of the DVD drive that it came with), so that negates the need to also carry a backup hard drive.
all the film stays with me on the carry on. (35mm and fuji polaroid pack film) I carry my 35mm film in these:
japan exposures | films and more and I can't recommend them enough. the P&S stays in the carry on and my 35mm stays around my neck the whole time. (with 50mm Zeiss 1,4) the other lenses stay in the checked luggage and the DSLR or the medium format stays in my checked luggage also. now some may see this as a big risk, but I've never had any issues. it stays in protective wrapping that allows it to be easily separated from the rest of the packed luggage, but stays protected, and I've carried quite a lot of equipment (read: a lot of money) to there and back and never have I had an issue. I follow the same rules I do when packing an item for shipping in the mail. and those rules are simple: the carrier doesn't care, and will in all likelihood do anything to try and destroy your things, so pack them to be all but nuclear disaster proof, and having them tossed into the cargo hold won't cause any worries. but I only deal with two airlines: Continental and All Nippon Airways, so my views may change in the future with some other trips I have planned. also, all my gear is insured, so should items actually get broken or lost in transit I am at least covered for the value. (insurance on your gear is a necessity if you travel with it often, especially internationally). as a freelance photojournalist, this is something I have learned, and always highly recommend.
I'm one of the few people who hates carryons. I find them to be a hassle when trying to get across an airport in a hurry and even more so, if you are getting on a flight from a connecting one, because by the time you get on the plane all the overhead bins (especially the one assigned to your seat) are already full. on top of that, they slow you down going through security. (and dealing with the TSA is already hassle enough) so I only travel with a carryon I can hang across my shoulders like a satchel and only carry the most essential items.
for me the essentials are: wallet, passport, journal, pen, necessary paperwork (boarding passes itineraries, visas, immigration claim cards, etc) Macbook Pro, iPhone, (combination charger for the two) camera batteries and SD cards (leave the chargers in the checked luggage. why are battery charrs all so big?), earphones, sunglasses, hat, film, P&S, 1 spare shirt, 1 spare undies.
this is vastly different though, I'm sure for those going on trips across multiple countries such as backpacking, etc.