If you’re holiday plans involve travel by airplane, you’re not alone. This time of the year is the busiest for the airline industry, with millions traveling hundreds of miles to visit friends and family during the December holidays. And while many feel the nation’s airports have become safer than ever, the heightened security can cause quite a headache for unprepared travelers.
     If you’re planning on taking small electronics and accessories along for the ride, like laptop computers, cameras and film, you may want to take a few precautions to protect valuable equipment.
     Tougher security regulations at the country’s airports has airlines cracking down on the number of carry-on bags each passenger is allowed. What won’t be allowed on your person will have to be checked and stored in the baggage area. As a result, your expensive camera and laptop could come through with some bruising.
     X-ray technology won’t damage laptops and cameras, but other conditions present during flights just might. Besides jostling around during baggage loading, general vibrations and turbulence during a flight can be enough to damage some components. On board, dry air in the cabin may potentially cause problems with static electricity. Touching the keyboard may leave you — and your computer — with a nasty shock, which may very well pale in comparison with the shock of realizing that your laptop has just been “fried” and your work lost.
     In airports around the world, baggage is scanned using     computer tomography or CT scanning. These X-ray machines use a radiation level that makes them harmful to unprocessed film.
     Tests by many photography labs and associations have found that airport X-ray machines that scan checked luggage cause streaks and fogging on film of all speeds. The higher the film speed, the greater the damage. So, your holiday highlights just may turn into a blurred mess.
What to do? If there’s room, carry unprocessed film with you into the cabin. This way it won’t be exposed to those high radiation levels.
    It may also be a good idea to leave expensive electronics at home if they are not necessary for the trip. This way you’ll be ensured peace of mind.