Traveling with Memory Card in Airports

[Jessitt]

When traveling by air, is it safe to leave the memory card in the camera and bring it with you as a carry on. Or should it be removed and carried on your person?? Does the xray machine have any effect on the photo's????

Rich

[K1W1]

Airport X-ray machines have absolutely no affect on memory cards. As a matter of course I always carry my camera on board simply so I know where it is and that it won't be thrown down some conveyor belt somewhere in the bowels of the airport.

[Forced Perfect]

Airport X-ray machines have absolutely no affect on memory cards. As a matter of course I always carry my camera on board simply so I know where it is and that it won't be thrown down some conveyor belt somewhere in the bowels of the airport.

You're 100% correct. X-rays have no effect on memory cards, cameras, computers. Although I think I've heard somewhere it can expose film... But I have no idea if I'm remembering that correctly.

I also agree that you should take your camera with as carry-on just so it doesn't go missing or get smashed.

[TNB]

I've also carried portable hard drives through the xray machines though security has asked me to pull them out. Then again, I've had security search numerous items before and that was way before 911 since profiling and data screening has been going on long before 911.

[K1W1]

YAlthough I think I've heard somewhere it can expose film


Wrong
Put it though the machine and worry about something important.

[Forced Perfect]

Wrong
Put it though the machine and worry about something important.

Yeah, I didn't think that was correct. Hence my caveat at the end.

[David Metsky]

Actually, airport x-ray machines can fog high ISO film, but not the stuff most of us use.

[pagnamenta]

I asked a security guard about the film. She said unless I have ISO 1600 film, I would be fine.