London Heathrow Airport CT Scanner

[Hugo Zhang]

Hi members,

What is the latest news or experiences of films going through London Heathrow airport? I plan for a short visit of UK next week and would like to bring some sheet films.

Thanks.

[Alan9940]

No direct experience, but Lina Bessonova (see YouTube) did a pretty comprehensive test about 6 months ago. Bottom line...the fancy new scanners ruin film.

[interneg]

Wasn't a problem to get hand check of 120 late last year there as long as you are diplomatic, prepared and clear in your instructions. Everywhere here has seemingly become much more film-aware in the last year.

[pgk]

What is the latest news or experiences of films going through London Heathrow airport?

If there are any alternatives to having to go via Heathrow then look into them. Forget the film, Heathrow has been such an awful experience in the past that I've vowed never to use it again unless absolutely essential.

[jnantz]

family recently returned from Heathrow while they didn't seem to have damaged film, and the last time ( march '24 ) I went through I didn't have trouble, it might not be typical and not worth the risk .. Ron Mowrey used to say it's not really the scanners you have to worry about, it's the radiation being in the metal tube in the upper atmosphere that people don't think about. I don't access the threads over there, but he said that the amount of radiation in-flight probably exceeds even the most ruinous scanners

[gregmo]

Wouldn't the film only risk the security check on exit of the UK and not upon entry? Is it possible to ship home via a private shipper (ex. FedEx or similar).

I haven't traveled to the UK, but I did go to Barcelona in May (with 120 roll film) and with the recent adoption of CT scanners at airports, the security staff seems much more willing to do hand checks of film. Of course, sheet film in boxes is tougher to check than roll film.