A Tale of Two Checkpoints
Sep 28, 2009 | 9:43 pm
#31
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,657
After all ... it was a slavish devotion to the SOP that led to Nipple Gate.
Sep 28, 2009 | 9:44 pm
#32
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Of course, the only problem is that you're completely wrong and, probably, haven't a clue about analog recording.
Sep 28, 2009 | 9:57 pm
#33
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I was only taking you at your word that motors damage analog tapes. If that's not correct, you should clarify your statement.
Sep 28, 2009 | 9:59 pm
#34
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I was only responding to your hypotheticals with more of my own.
Sep 28, 2009 | 10:19 pm
#35
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Strictly speaking, they were right the first time. Tapes, audio or video, are supposed to be x-rayed. There's actually language in the SOP that requires them to be x-rayed.
And, strictly speaking, if you refuse to have them x-rayed, your only option is to turn around and take them back with you.
The person in the first story likely agreed to your request for a hand check just to shut you up, and the person in the second likely didn't know any better.
Granted, there is a list of things that you can request to have hand-inspected. Still camera film, medications, x-rays (like, the medical kind). And of course, there are some things that have to be hand-inspected, such as... a fish in a bowl of water.
And, strictly speaking, if you refuse to have them x-rayed, your only option is to turn around and take them back with you.
The person in the first story likely agreed to your request for a hand check just to shut you up, and the person in the second likely didn't know any better.
Granted, there is a list of things that you can request to have hand-inspected. Still camera film, medications, x-rays (like, the medical kind). And of course, there are some things that have to be hand-inspected, such as... a fish in a bowl of water.
So what else can I get through bypassing security by complaining loudly enough? 4 ounces of terrorist toothpaste? Danger Deodorant? The worlds smallest fishbowl?
Sep 28, 2009 | 10:27 pm
#36
Join Date: Feb 2008
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From actual experience, I can assure you that transporting tape on a car-seat is safe, putting it close to big magnetic things (like the steel rollers that support the belt) can ruin it.OP stated his tapes were old, the recordings on them irreplaceable. They should have been given the same respect as any other artwork that requires hand-carrying.
And yes, I have seen a too-young-to-remember TSO try to check undeveloped film by opening the canister.
Sep 28, 2009 | 11:09 pm
#37
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You weren't "taking me at my word," because I didn't say, "motors damage tapes." That's a gross and inaccurate (some might even say, "stupid") over-simplification.
Sep 29, 2009 | 5:06 am
#38
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If the issue is the motors and not the X-ray, why not turn off the motors, and place the tapes in X-ray directly. There is direct access to the X-ray where the TSO is standing in front of the monitor. We know this because when the TSO shouts "bag check" he has the bag in his hand without it emerging from either side of the conveyer.
Sep 29, 2009 | 5:20 am
#39
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,657
Except that I wasn't raising hypotheticals. I asked if the TSO's reported behavior in this case was consistent with (what we know of) the SOP. There's clear evidence that the TSO wasn't following procedure ... even if the procedures followed regarding the tapes were technically correct, the interaction with the passengers was clearly out of bounds.
Sep 29, 2009 | 6:15 am
#40
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Strictly speaking, they were right the first time. Tapes, audio or video, are supposed to be x-rayed. There's actually language in the SOP that requires them to be x-rayed.
And, strictly speaking, if you refuse to have them x-rayed, your only option is to turn around and take them back with you.
The person in the first story likely agreed to your request for a hand check just to shut you up, and the person in the second likely didn't know any better.
Granted, there is a list of things that you can request to have hand-inspected. Still camera film, medications, x-rays (like, the medical kind). And of course, there are some things that have to be hand-inspected, such as... a fish in a bowl of water.
And, strictly speaking, if you refuse to have them x-rayed, your only option is to turn around and take them back with you.
The person in the first story likely agreed to your request for a hand check just to shut you up, and the person in the second likely didn't know any better.
Granted, there is a list of things that you can request to have hand-inspected. Still camera film, medications, x-rays (like, the medical kind). And of course, there are some things that have to be hand-inspected, such as... a fish in a bowl of water.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1035.shtm
Traveling with Film
Never place undeveloped film in your checked baggage, our security equipment used for screening checked baggage will damage your undeveloped film. Place your film in your carry-on baggage or request a hand inspection. Please note that our carry-on security equipment might also damage certain film if the film passes through more than five times.
If your film cannot be cleared by X-ray inspection, or you desire to have it inspected by hand, you may be required to open the box, canister, or wrapper so our Security Officer can inspect it. We recommend leaving your film in the unopened manufacturers packaging.
Our security equipment used for screening checked baggage will damage your undeveloped film. Carry undeveloped film with you to the security checkpoint.
None of the security equipment - neither the machines used for checked baggage nor those used for carry-on baggage - will affect digital camera images or film that has already been processed - slides, videos, photo compact discs or picture memory cards.
General Use Film
You should remove all film from your checked baggage and place it in your carry-on baggage. The X-ray machine that screens your carry-on baggage at the passenger security checkpoint will not affect undeveloped film under ASA/ISO 800.
If the same roll of film is exposed to X-ray inspections more than 5 times before it is developed, it is possible that damage may occur. Protect your film by requesting a hand-inspection for your film if it has already passed through the carry-on baggage X-ray screening equipment more than five times.
Specialty Film
At the passenger security checkpoint, you should remove the following types of film from your carry-on baggage and ask for a hand inspection:
Film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher
Highly sensitive X-ray, medical or scientific films
Film of any speed which is subjected to X-ray surveillance more than 5 times (the effect of X-ray screening is cumulative)
Film that is or will be underexposed
Film that you intend to 'push process'
Sheet, large format and motion picture film
Tips and Precautions:
To expedite the security process of a hand inspection, you should consider carrying your film in clear canisters, or taking the film out of solid colored canisters and putting it into clear plastic bags.
Consider having your exposed film processed locally before passing through airport security on your return trip.
We recommend that you do not place your film in lead-lined bags since the lead bag will have to be hand-inspected.
You may still consider bringing a lead-lined bag * if you are traveling through airports in other countries as their policies may vary. Check with your airline or travel agent for more information on foreign airports.
Never place undeveloped film in your checked baggage, our security equipment used for screening checked baggage will damage your undeveloped film. Place your film in your carry-on baggage or request a hand inspection. Please note that our carry-on security equipment might also damage certain film if the film passes through more than five times.
If your film cannot be cleared by X-ray inspection, or you desire to have it inspected by hand, you may be required to open the box, canister, or wrapper so our Security Officer can inspect it. We recommend leaving your film in the unopened manufacturers packaging.
Our security equipment used for screening checked baggage will damage your undeveloped film. Carry undeveloped film with you to the security checkpoint.
None of the security equipment - neither the machines used for checked baggage nor those used for carry-on baggage - will affect digital camera images or film that has already been processed - slides, videos, photo compact discs or picture memory cards.
General Use Film
You should remove all film from your checked baggage and place it in your carry-on baggage. The X-ray machine that screens your carry-on baggage at the passenger security checkpoint will not affect undeveloped film under ASA/ISO 800.
If the same roll of film is exposed to X-ray inspections more than 5 times before it is developed, it is possible that damage may occur. Protect your film by requesting a hand-inspection for your film if it has already passed through the carry-on baggage X-ray screening equipment more than five times.
Specialty Film
At the passenger security checkpoint, you should remove the following types of film from your carry-on baggage and ask for a hand inspection:
Film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher
Highly sensitive X-ray, medical or scientific films
Film of any speed which is subjected to X-ray surveillance more than 5 times (the effect of X-ray screening is cumulative)
Film that is or will be underexposed
Film that you intend to 'push process'
Sheet, large format and motion picture film
Tips and Precautions:
To expedite the security process of a hand inspection, you should consider carrying your film in clear canisters, or taking the film out of solid colored canisters and putting it into clear plastic bags.
Consider having your exposed film processed locally before passing through airport security on your return trip.
We recommend that you do not place your film in lead-lined bags since the lead bag will have to be hand-inspected.
You may still consider bringing a lead-lined bag * if you are traveling through airports in other countries as their policies may vary. Check with your airline or travel agent for more information on foreign airports.
Sep 29, 2009 | 6:43 am
#41
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,004
There are lead lined bags made specifically for film, just for the X-ray problem. The one I had could probably hold 2 dozen 35mm film boxes or canisters. While a hand check would probably be triggered, it would prevent accidental film exposure.
Sep 29, 2009 | 7:01 am
#42
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 684
As I said in my post, TSO's have discretion when they prevent passengers from bringing items past the checkpoint that are not on the prohibited list. They can use the same discretion when conducting a search, the passenger was reasonable and the TSO was not. This was reel to reel recording tape something that could have easily been identified with a simple visual inspection.
Sep 29, 2009 | 11:25 am
#43
Join Date: May 2004
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Posts: 8,214
Given the importance of these tapes to you, and the volatility of the media, I trust that you have since made back-ups of these tapes, just in case they are damaged in some other way than passing through the x-ray machine.
Sep 29, 2009 | 11:44 am
#44
Original Poster
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Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
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Magnetic recording tape is not volatile. I have 25-year old video tapes that look as pristine as the day they were recorded. Properly stored magnetic tape will last a very, very long time PROVIDED they are not exposed to magnetic fields. I have no means of making backups of these -- they are multi-track tapes recorded on a now-obsolete machine. I brought the tapes and the recorder back to Orange County so that I can digitize them, a process I began last night. Thank you for your concern, however.
Sep 29, 2009 | 4:35 pm
#45
Join Date: May 2004
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Magnetic recording tape is not volatile. I have 25-year old video tapes that look as pristine as the day they were recorded. Properly stored magnetic tape will last a very, very long time PROVIDED they are not exposed to magnetic fields. I have no means of making backups of these -- they are multi-track tapes recorded on a now-obsolete machine. I brought the tapes and the recorder back to Orange County so that I can digitize them, a process I began last night. Thank you for your concern, however.
Incidentally, which I gather you recognized, I was not trying to be an apologist for the TSA, here. It seems perfectly reasonable for magnetic recording tape to be hand-screened as long as it is not in a sealed case that cannot be seen through.