Which film is safe to bring through the airport?

Sara R: Which film is safe to bring through the airport?
Hi, I’m leaving for a research trip in 2 weeks. My research is both anthropological and photographical. I am planning on bringing about 15 rolls of film with me. My fear is whether or not the unexposed film will be damaged by airport security tools.

The problem with buying film there is that I will be going to a pretty rural area in a 3rd world country and I’m pretty positive that I won’t be able to find a camera shop where I can buy film down there.

What’s best?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Jeffrey
Usually low ISO/ASA film is no problem.

Answer by fhotoace
Buy a film protector bag and put all your film in it. Carry it on-board with your cameras and notebook computer. Never let them out of your sight. If necessary, let the security hand check the film and leave the film in its packaging.

Do NOT check your film EVER. This is where the most intense X-ray is applied to your baggage.

While it is important to protect your film from X-ray, all the time, it is most sensitive to fogging once it is exposed.

I use transparency film with speeds from 50 to 400 ISO, negative film from 100 to 800 ISO and black and white film from 25 to 3200 ISO. The choice of film is determined by the assignment from the client and of course the film type and ISO is different on every flight.

Answer by Ansell A
Here is what Kodak say.

Pre 9/11 it was perfectly safe to hand carry film through and let it go through the scanners in most of the major countries airports. Unless you were going to be going through a number of times.

Since then though even hand baggage is (sometimes) subject to stronger scans.
Putting the cans in the protective bags will not always work as they often just turn the intensity up on the scanners.

Best bet is to politely ask that they hand check the film, put them in a clear plastic bag prior to arriving and be cooperative.