Re: Travel to Isreal

[Bertha Adamson <badamson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Pedro Luís wrote:
> 
> > On Thu, 17 Feb 2000 08:29:01 -0600, Mankin.Larry@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > wrote:
> >
> > >I know this has been discussed before so please bear with me.  I will be
> going
> > >to Isreal later this year and intend to take a  wrapped brick of Kodak
> HIE 35 mm
> > >film with me.
> >
> > Given the heightened security in the Mid-east, the amount of film
> > you're taking, and the fact that you have plenty of time, why not
> > just ship your film ahead of time so it will be waiting for you at
> > your hotel or destination?
> >
> 
> I'm not very used to these kind of things, but I think that the same problem
> should appear. If someone mails aomething to another country the package
> will be verified somewhere during the mailing process, won't it?
> Please correct me if I'm wrong as I'm not really sure about this.
> 
> PedroL
> 

Actually, there was an article in Popular Photography a few months back.  I
don't recall specific results, but some shippers claimed that packages didn't
get x-rayed while others couldn't give a definitive answer.  So the issue is
whether you can be sure it won't go through the checked baggage or some other
high-powered x-ray. I wouldn't rely on what counter personnel say, unless they
actually worked the line at the airport. 

Leaving Chicago, you can request a handcheck.  Sometime they are resistant
("the machine is safe up to 800 speed film") but you can insist, or just say
it is IR film (or toss in a roll of 3200 speed) so that it confuses them and
they give in.  Just get there early enough to find a not too busy gate and
wait for them to accommodate you.

Coming back from Israel, one run through the carry-on baggage machine should
not be a problem, at least it isn't in most wealthy, industrialized nations. 
However, as someone said, it is a security heightened nation, and I don't know
what their settings will be like.

Heathrow is bad in the sense they will NOT handcheck. They may SAY just ask at
the security gate, but it is a lie.  On one occasion, they not only ran my bag
through, but pulled my bag aside and ran it through AGAIN!  There was no harm
to the film, so as they say a few exposures is no danger to films up to 400,
even 800 speed. I don't use the lead bags as I worry that it will trigger a
more thorough check or stronger x-ray.

Since Pop Photo has written about this several times, maybe if you write to
them, or check their back issues you might find info on Israel (or the article
on shippers). Or maybe contact one of the national professional photo
organizations to see if they have info on experiences through Israel.

Bertha

-- 
Email:  badamson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.netcom.com/~badamson/
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