| Could these new, enhanced devices erase your | | | | through scanning systems similar to those used |
| data or are you just wringing your hands over | | | | for checked baggage. Can these X-ray systems |
| nothing? While erasure is highly unlikely, there are | | | | cause data loss? Almost certainly not. To |
| reasons to be cautious, particularly if you are | | | | understand why, you need to understand how |
| transporting older tape formats or floppy | | | | magnetic media is recorded.Data is written onto |
| discs.Check It In or Carry It On? | | | | tape and discs by arranging metallic particles with |
| According to new guidelines issued by the | | | | a powerful magnetic field. For tapes, magnetic |
| Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, | | | | energy is delivered by a recording head that |
| 100% of all checked bags must be screened | | | | comes into direct contact with the tape. For discs, |
| before being loaded.During the screening process, | | | | the record head floats just above the surface. |
| checked bags may go through as many as three | | | | Both methods deliver a great deal of magnetic |
| types of scanners, including X-ray, and two | | | | energy in close proximity to a tightly confined |
| different types of explosive detection systems. | | | | area.To scramble your carefully arranged |
| Still, it is doubtful that these systems will have a | | | | magnetic particles from a distance takes a |
| negative impact on magnetically recorded media. | | | | tremendous amount of magnetic energy. How |
| In fact, the TSA says, "None of the screening | | | | much energy depends on the distance and the |
| equipment...will affect digital camera images or film | | | | coercivity of the media -- the magnetic force |
| that has already been processed, slides, videos, | | | | required to "coerce" it into zero magnetism.Floppy |
| photo compact discs, or picture discs."But the | | | | discs have a very low coercivity rating. In other |
| main concern for media in checked bags isn't | | | | words, it doesn't take much magnetic energy to |
| electronic damage - it's physical loss. Airport | | | | scramble them. Ditto for non-metal audio |
| personnel have the authority (and the duty) to | | | | cassettes. Older videotape formats based on |
| open and inspect any suspicious bag, including any | | | | metal oxide like 3/4 inch, VHS, and 8mm also |
| bag that is locked. (HINT: Leave your bags | | | | have low coercivity ratings.At the opposite end of |
| unlocked or use a TSA recognized locking | | | | the scale are modern tape formats using pure |
| mechanism.)With your bags out of your control, | | | | metal particles or pure evaporated metal |
| the risk of damage, loss, or even theft is greatly | | | | formulations. These tapes, which include DVCAM, |
| increased. Therefore, you should always carry on | | | | MiniDV, Hi8, and Betacam SP, have very high |
| your tapes, discs, cameras, laptops and any other | | | | coercivity ratings and are the most resistant to |
| valuable or irreplaceable item. The TSA states | | | | erasure.Obviously, X-rays are not magnetic and |
| that the "air carrier has no liability for photographic | | | | won't cause problems themselves. There has |
| equipment, computers, VCRs and any other | | | | been some conjecture that magnetic energy |
| electronic equipment including software or | | | | created as a byproduct of producing X-rays and |
| components...TSA HIGHLY recommends that you | | | | even conveyor belt motors might give some |
| do not pack these items in your checked | | | | cause for concern. However, damage from these |
| baggage."But even if you carry on these items, | | | | sources has not been well documented.Direct |
| there are still dangers lurking. Your laptop and | | | | sources of magnetic energy come from the |
| video camera must be removed from their | | | | walk-thru metal detectors and handheld wands. |
| carrying cases and placed in one of the TSA bins | | | | While it is doubtful that either of these devices |
| for security scanning -- down the belt, through | | | | would cause problems, some handheld wands, in |
| the machine, and out the other side where | | | | theory, do generate enough magnetic energy to |
| everyone else is waiting on their belongings.Tips | | | | corrupt data on low-coercivity formats. This is |
| from the TSA* Transporting Film and | | | | only a theoretical possibility, however. Practically |
| Photographic Equipment* Security Checkpoint | | | | speaking, security officials won't allow you to walk |
| Procedures* Travel TipsAnd as most travelers | | | | through the metal detector with metal, and that |
| know all too well, while your things are being | | | | includes recording media.Film: |
| thoroughly inspected, so are YOU! You will be | | | | Unlike magnetic media, X-ray will most certainly |
| asked to remove your coat, and maybe also | | | | ruin undeveloped film. While the TSA states that |
| your shoes, jewelry, belt, etc. And if it's your | | | | film below 800 ASA/ISO would be unaffected by |
| "lucky" day, you could also be pulled aside for a | | | | passenger checkpoint X-ray, it also says that the |
| thorough frisking. Someone else accidentally (or | | | | cumulative effect of multiple passes through |
| purposely) picking up your video camera, laptop, | | | | these devices can fog even low-speed |
| or other objects is not uncommon. So keeping a | | | | films.Conclusion: |
| close eye on your personal items is vital.To | | | | According to the TSA, and based on reports |
| minimize the time you are separated from your | | | | from customers, manufacturers and our own |
| belongings, think ahead and dress the part: Check | | | | personal experiences, it is highly unlikely that any |
| your steel-toed boots and wear thin-soled flip | | | | of the scanning devices in use today would |
| flops instead. Unless you're willing to swap out | | | | corrupt magnetically recorded media. Your most |
| your metal body piercings to plastic or bone, that | | | | likely source for trouble is damage or loss from |
| hidden belly-button ring that makes your mama | | | | the hand inspection of a checked bag or carry-on |
| so proud will set off the metal detector - so take | | | | items lost in the hubbub of a security checkpoint. |
| it out ahead of time! And don't forget that things | | | | If you do discover you are missing an item, the |
| like foil gum wrappers are metal, too. So, empty | | | | TSA provides phone numbers for airport lost and |
| your pockets into your carry-on bag before going | | | | found departments.For complete information on |
| through security.Handheld Wands, Metal Detectors, | | | | airport security and other travel tips, please visit |
| & X-rays | | | | TSA's web site at |
| Okay, so you're going to carry on your tapes | | | | We'd love to hear from you. Give us some |
| (and hope you don't lose them!). But even | | | | feedback about this article or tell us about your |
| carrying the tapes on, they still have to go | | | | recent airport experiences. |