From: Gregory Blank (gblank@bellatlantic.net)
Date: 08/28/56-10:27:03 AM Z
Not including / or including all forms of shipment of film. The federal
Government should provide registration to photographers. A permit
designating one as a photographer, should be made available. Maybe a
permit or form of id available to photographers to obtain special
consideration when transportation of film is required so X-rays will not
be imposed upon our film.
We as photographers need to send letters to congress people. (Yes)?
> Fuji has posted a warning on new hazards to film at airports and through
> the USPS. You can find the PDF link at www.fujifilm.com. There was no
> copy right notice on the pages (and it's hard to imagine why Fuji
> wouldn't want this information distributed) so I'm pasting it below.
>
> Hope it helps,
>
> Dan
> -------------
>
> New Postal Service and Increased Airport
> Scanning Procedures Fog Photographic Film
>
> In an effort to make the skies and United States mail safer after the
> tragic events
> of September 11th, new and increased scanning procedures have been put in
> place by both the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and the airline industry.
> Unfortunately, these recent changes put photographic film at risk of
> fogging and
> exposure.
>
> In airports around the country, the use of baggage scanners to detect
> explosive
> devices has been increased. Because of its silver content and metal
> canisters,
> photographic film, especially large packages or bundles of film, appears
> particularly suspect. Unfortunately, the scanners are fogging undeveloped
> film
> left in checked baggage. Unlike the airport x-ray equipment of the past,
> which
> had little or no effect on unprocessed film, the International Imaging
> Industry
> Association, Inc. (I3A) has tested these scanners at the request of the
> FAA and
> determined they have the potential to fog both unprocessed color and
> black and
> white film. Processed film is unaffected.
>
> As of October 27th, the USPS has begun purchasing electron beam scanning
> equipment for use in sterilizing mail and eliminating any possible
> exposure to
> anthrax. This electron beam technology will fully expose undeveloped film
> as if it
> were exposed to sunlight. At this time, we do not have complete
> information
> regarding the extent to which these scanners will be used or when the
> USPS will
> begin using them. However, we currently are working with the USPS and the
> I3A
> to conduct tests of this equipment with our products. As we receive
> additional
> information, we will update this document to remain current with these
> events.
> While we applaud the FAA, airline industry and USPS in their efforts to
> ensure
> that checked baggage and mail are safe, we also realize that your
> pictures are
> very important to you and want to do all we can to see that your
> photographic
> memories are preserved. We offer the following suggestions to help you
> avoid
> damage to your film from airline scanners. We do not currently have
> information
> regarding any safeguards that may be taken to protect film sent via the
> USPS.
>
> * Make sure there is no unprocessed film in your checked baggage.
> * Carry your undeveloped film with you as carry-on baggage and ask for
> hand
> inspection whenever possible. Place film in a separate mesh or clear
> plastic bag
> for easy identification by airport security.
> * When carrying large amounts of unprocessed film, contact the airline
> prior to
> your flight to arrange for a special baggage inspection. When possible,
> send your
> film via a cargo carrier that will certify that the film will not be
> x-rayed. The FAA
> and I3A are currently working on guidelines with respect to this
> situation.
> * At some airports, passengers may be randomly selected from the carry-on
> baggage check line and their carry-on luggage scanned as checked baggage.
> Please be aware that this scan will fog film. If you are asked to step
> into another
> line, remove your film from your carry-on baggage.
> * In time, security measures at airports may increase, and stronger
> scanners may
> be used to scan even carry-on baggage. Be aware of the signs in the
> airport;
> most carry-on baggage scanners, at this time, will be marked as "Film
> Safe" if
> they will not damage your film.
>
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