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