Flying with film can be daunting. Usually it’s busy, you are trying to handle your luggage, where to go, what line to stand in and make sure you take your shoes off…. Or is it leave them on now? I can never remember. Nonetheless, there is a lot to do in the modern airport.

Avoid the lines (mostly):

Up until this last year, whenever we flew, I would not bring a film camera. We travel everywhere with our kids, so I did not need another thing to worry about at an airport. It was just easier to stick to digital while traveling instead. The thing that changed this for me was finally getting TSA Pre Check.

Pre check allows you to get in an expedited line where you do not have to remove your electronics from your bag amongst other perks. This is when I finally decided to give it a try and start carrying a film camera. There is a lot of debate between film ISO and what can tolerate an X-ray scanner, but I would rather not risk it, so I opt for a hand check of my rolls.

Hand checking film:

The best practice I have found, especially with TSA Pre Check, is to let your agent know checking your IDs and boarding passes that you have film to hand check. From my experience, they have been more than helpful requesting or directing you what to do. They usually advise you to alert the next agent or they call in a request of your hand check as you are tossing your bag, without your film, onto the x ray belt.

Keeping your film accessible and clearly labeled is very important. The pre check allows you to not have to fill the bins with your electronics, but you do not want to be slowing up the process trying to dig out your film.

There is the option to avoid this all and mail your film off to your home or a lab before the airport, but if you travel like me, I am not usually near a post office or have access to packaging material.

Boxed or loose:

I have flown with my film both in the box and as loose rolls. Minneapolis was fine leaving it in the package, but at LAX, they wanted everything with the packaging removed. My advise would be to remove the packaging before travel and get a handy little zipper pouch to hold them. You should have them all together to avoid missing one while you are in a rush. Plus, you are traveling anyway, so every space saved matters. We have been fortunate to hit TSA at good times, but I could see this being a problem during a rush of people and the agent being less friendly with your precious rolls as it’s slowing up their process. Less work for them = more confidence for you. You sometimes hear of agents saying anything under 800 iso is not affected (along with their signage), but an easy way to avoid the push to X-ray is add 800 with a sharpie on a roll or two or tear part of that 800 speed film box and keep it in your bag. This is also worst case scenario, but something to be prepped for. To be cautious, a lot of disposable cameras (Kodak brand) use an 800 speed film that is not labeled on the package or camera itself.

Film in your camera:

Not a lot more to say on this one, but remember to load film after you are through TSA and not before. That being said, also don’t forget to finish that roll in your camera before going back to the airport and store it with your other film rolls.

Common Ground:

Airport staff and TSA are not generally known for their customer service and small talk. Our last trip through LAX, I was asked to remove the foil wrapping off our disposable camera, and that sparked a long conversation about developing film and where I even got a recommendation for some local labs. Consider me absolutely shocked. Sometimes the smallest thing can open up a great conversation and surprise the hell out of you. Be prepared, but courteous for the job they have to do, because at the end of the day, it’s trying to protect their passengers even though it may seem otherwise.

There is a ton of resources out there telling you what you should or shouldn’t do when flying, but I thought this would be a helpful guide from someone who avoided it for years. This is just my personal experience and I am bringing under 15 rolls. I have not tested this internationally, so maybe there will be a part II someday. If you are flying with more than that or overseas, your experience may be completely different. Best of luck to you all, and give it a try the next time you travel. It is not as scary as you’d think.