[Leica] Re: X-ray Film Question

["Paul Schiemer" <schiemer@magicnet.net>]

Hi Simon,

I'm the culprit, in part, that you were referring to in this first paragraph
(it kinda got homogenized along the way, but that's okay).
- ----------
> Unfortunately I did not save the post from the person who compared
> his/her job as a professional photographer, with the need therefore to
> protect the film, with the security guards need to protect the aircraft
> and its passengers lives. I think the argument was something like "You
> wouldn't want me no ask you not to use your wand, so why are you asking
> me to not use my lead lined bag?" If my memory of the comment is correct
> this argument does ask for special treatment for professional
> photographers in a literally life or death matter. Not exemption from
> the search, true, but still it would be an exemption from a normal part
> of security procedures. That's nice for the professionals, and I'm sure
> some amateur would use it if they could.

My point was not that it is a matter of life and death that my film NOT get
scanned by xray (which would render it fogged to some degree or another) but
that it is a component of the trade I am in.
I willfully subjected my bag of film to their inspection, there was never
any question about 'avoiding' the security provided by the check point-
therefore it renders (in my stupid opinion) your argument without merit.
As a matter of fact I am more than forthcoming and appreciative of the
'special' treatment- I even wait patiently while they fit it in to their
busy schedule of commiseration and snacking on concourse food.

In the final analysis ALL materials I have in my bag of goodies (that little
satellite bag of film off on it's own circuitous route) are inspected for
contraband explosives or otherwise.
And why not have special treatment for sensitive materials?  If you knew the
EFI/EMI of the Xray device was sufficient enough to render your
laptop RAM/ROM damaged to some degree would you allow it to pass through the
machine?  I hope not.
Bottom line is they are trained to do hand inspections as a matter of course
in day to day operations.  In fact, any suspicious items glimpsed on the
conveyer belt are routinely hand checked.
I guess, if one thought about it long enough, I've made the system more
efficient by skipping the unknown factor and getting right to the nitty
gritty part.  Up to the elbows as it were.

I know, for a fact, xrays fog film.  Sure, maybe a half stop here or there
ain't going to worry the average person- but I like to see white as clear in
my B&W negs. While they, the operators of the equipment, insist it is 'film
safe', I know it's not.
Heck, truth be known, I arrive 2 hours early for domestic and 4 hours early
for International- partly because of anticipated delays.  I'm not trying to
buck the system because I'm special, I'm just pragmatic and cautious.

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