IP: if you take pictures, stick close to home and never fly!

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001 20:19:07 -0500
> From: Richard Jay Solomon <richard () goodread com>
>
>
> What they're saying , if you take pictures, stick close to home and never fly!
>
> -Richard
>
> > > From:
> > >  <http://www.kodak.com/country/US/en/motion/support/technical/xray4P.shtml>
> > > http://www.kodak.com/country/US/en/motion/support/technical/xray4P.shtml
> > >
> > > Airport X-Ray Security, US Mail Sterilization and Motion Picture Film
> > >
> > > This document contains advice for motion picture customers who need to
> > > transport film by air or via the US Postal Service.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > 1. AIRPORT X-RAY SECURITY
> > >
> > > Security precautions at US airports have been significantly tightened
> > > following the tragic events of September 11th. Among precautions that
> > > travelers can expect will be the increased use of new, high-intensity x-ray
> > > scanners for checked baggage and hand-carried baggage. Passengers should be
> > > aware that these high-intensity x-ray machines will fog and ruin all
> > > unprocessed film of any speed, whether exposed or not. Kodak recommends
> > > that air travelers do not carry unexposed or unprocessed motion picture
> > > film. If it is unavoidable that film is carried, passengers should contact
> > > the airport in advance to request hand-inspection, allow additional
> > > check-in time for such procedures, and follow the advice given below.
> > >
> > > CHECKED BAGGAGE
> > >
> > > Any checked baggage may be subject to high-intensity x-ray scanning in a
> > > machine that is out of sight of travelers. Airline check-in agents rarely,
> > > if ever, warn travelers of this. Kodak is pressing for warning notices to
> > > be posted at check-in desks and for verbal warnings to be given to
> > > travelers. Never pack unprocessed film in baggage that will be checked.
> > >
> > > HAND-CARRIED BAGGAGE
> > >
> > > Carry-on baggage inspection conveyors using low intensity x-rays, used at
> > > security checkpoints in US airports, usually do not affect film. However,
> > > these machines may now be supplemented in some cases by high intensity
> > > machines that will fog all unprocessed film. Travelers should be wary of
> > > all scanners at foreign airports.
> > >
> > > Travelers should politely insist on hand-inspection of their film. Carry a
> > > changing bag for use by the inspector. Demonstrate how it is used, with a
> > > can of fogged film as an example. However, there is no guarantee that your
> > > request will be granted by local inspectors, who may insist on x-ray
> > > inspection. Hand inspection may not be permitted in some airports outside
> > > the US.
> > >
> > > AIR FREIGHT SERVICES
> > >
> > > We understand that express air package shipping services such as Airborne,
> > > DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc that use their own aircraft, do not employ x-ray
> > > scanning of customers' packages on domestic routes. However, this should be
> > > verified when sending film. The same carriers may employ passenger airlines
> > > for international routes. Goods shipped as freight on passenger airlines
> > > are subject to high-intensity x-ray scanning. It is recommended that film
> > > shipped as unaccompanied freight is labeled "DO NOT X-RAY. IF X-RAY IS
> > > MANDATORY, DO NOT SHIP / DO NOT X-RAY / CONTACT SENDER URGENTLY:
> > > (details)".
> > >
> > > LOCAL FILM PURCHASE AND PROCESSING
> > >
> > > To minimize the risks of shipping by air, Kodak recommends that motion
> > > picture film should be purchased locally through the nearest Kodak sales
> > > office. After exposure, the film should be processed at a local
> > > motion-picture laboratory. After processing, the film may be safely
> > > transported by air.
> > >
> > > 2. US MAIL STERILIZATION
> > >
> > > The United States Postal Service is installing new equipment to sterilize
> > > items sent through the mail. For security reasons, they are not disclosing
> > > whether this process will be limited to letters, or if parcels and other
> > > packages will also be included.
> > >
> > > Until further tests are conducted, it would be wise to assume that the high
> > > energy beams used in the sterilization equipment will fog or damage all
> > > film - processed or unprocessed, exposed or unexposed, negative or print.
> > > In addition, photographic prints, slides, DVDs, picture CDs, CD-ROMs, video
> > > tapes and even the CCD sensors in video cameras and other products may be
> > > affected. Because those materials often contain valuable - and sometimes,
> > > irreplaceable, images - Kodak recommends that you err on the side of
> > > caution until more information is available.
> > >
> > > All imaging materials should be sent via a courier or an express air
> > > shipping company that does not use the US postal system. Local laboratories
> > > may have additional information and/or offer alternative shipping
> > > arrangements.
> > >
> > > 3. EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
> > >
> > > Motion-picture film and other photographic products manufactured by Eastman
> > > Kodak Company are distributed by means that avoid any risk of damage by
> > > x-rays, high-energy electron beams or any other harmful radiations.
> > >
> > > Kodak is working closely with industry organizations, the FAA and the US
> > > Postal Service to minimize the impact of necessary new security procedures
> > > on the shipping of its products. As new information becomes available it
> > > will be published and placed here.
> > >
> > > Eastman Kodak Company
> > > November 2nd, 2001.

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