[Leica] Re: Lead film bags [was: airport security kinda long. ;-)]

[CHRISTOPHER.CHEN@customs.treas.gov]

My experience w/lead film bags has been similar to yours.  In many years 
of dealing w/security @ airports & gov't buildings, I can only think of 2 
occasions where my lead bag has caught the attention of the X-ray machine 
operator.  On both occasions, all suspicions were allayed by a quick 
glance inside the lead bag (as described in #3 of your post).

I also completely agree w/you that this points up the need for better 
security training (e.g., my lead bag is big enough to easily conceal a 
handgun or 2).

Chris

- ------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 4 Jul 2002 09:15:38 -0700 (PDT)
From: Darrell Jennings <darrell_jennings@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [Leica] airport security  kinda long. ;-)
Message-ID: <20020704161538.71691.qmail@web11108.mail.yahoo.com>
References: 

I've used Xray bags with great success. If you get the
fabric covered ones that are heavy duty and double
wrap them you will find that the Xray machines can not
see anything but a black blob.  They then do one of
the following:
1. Swab the bag and check for explosives, but never
look inside.
2. Look inside and carefully check everything EXCEPT
for what is in the lead bags, which they completely
ignore (has happened MANY times). 
3. On rare occasion do a quick look in the Xray bags
and see it it film, and then close them up. 

I've used these all over the world and never had a
problem with security or with foging film even when
run through the machines dozens of times. 

Unfortunately it tells me the security guys need extra
training...sort of like when they look through the
viewfinder of a rangefinder and think that means the
camera is safe....You would think someone in the chain
of command would have figured out that you could load
explosives in a camera and still see through it. 

- - --- John Collier <jbcollier@shaw.ca> wrote:
> Your forgot the "...and strip search me and my
> spousal unit" :-)
> 
> Lose the X-ray bag. Are you trying to arouse their
> suspicion? Unless you 
> are using very high speed film you do not have to
> worry. Pack them loose 
> in  clear plastic bags in your carry-on.
> 
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