I have simply given up after a lot of abuse by Heathrow and Stansted “security”. Just try reasoning with them about “pushing” film above ISO 400, guidelines by film developers, etc. They do not care and at best refer to some “testing” of the machines that allegedly is in some document that they neither know the name of or know where to find. It is insulting, it is tiring, and I said as much in my customer feedback form on the day I gave finally gave it all up at Heathrow. Here is what `passengersupport@heathrow.com` responded a few weeks later:
“Dear <NAME/>,
Thank you for getting in touch with us about your journey through Heathrow Airport, we have received your feedback card and read it.
I can understand your concerns about taking film through security. We can confirm, however, that independent tests undertaken by the British Photographers' Liaison Committee (BPLC) to establish the detail of any potential damage to film caused by baggage screening machines at airports have given the all-clear to the current hand-luggage x-ray inspection systems installed at Heathrow.
These findings confirm that hand-luggage security scanning machinery is safe for all normal film types (up to and including ISO 400). Current digital camera storage media can also safely be examined by these x-ray machines without sustaining damage.
If you are carrying professional film rated ISO 800 or faster, you can request the film be searched by alternative means, as I understand you did. We will accommodate this where possible but this cannot be guaranteed. I am not sure if you were travelling with one, but for your future travels please bring any documentary proof of the film rating with you. Damages of film rated ISO 800, through scanners, have not being confirmed though.
We also recommend that you leave extra time to pass through security as additional screening requirements may be required.
Thank you again for taking the time to write to us, we have passed the feedback to the relevant team for their review. I hope you will have a better experience on your next journey. I do recommend to have the document with you, if you do not have it already, because that would help processes through security and you certainly would not to have to give up film photography.
Kind regards,
<NAME/>
Heathrow Passenger Support.”
Pardon my French, but these people do not give a fuck. Also note the lack of a link to the documents I requested. I responded and asked for them again (along with point-by-point refutations and additional questions), that was more than two years ago and I am yet to receive a reply.
“Dear <NAME/>,
Thank you for getting in touch with us about your journey through Heathrow Airport, we have received your feedback card and read it.
I can understand your concerns about taking film through security. We can confirm, however, that independent tests undertaken by the British Photographers' Liaison Committee (BPLC) to establish the detail of any potential damage to film caused by baggage screening machines at airports have given the all-clear to the current hand-luggage x-ray inspection systems installed at Heathrow.
These findings confirm that hand-luggage security scanning machinery is safe for all normal film types (up to and including ISO 400). Current digital camera storage media can also safely be examined by these x-ray machines without sustaining damage.
If you are carrying professional film rated ISO 800 or faster, you can request the film be searched by alternative means, as I understand you did. We will accommodate this where possible but this cannot be guaranteed. I am not sure if you were travelling with one, but for your future travels please bring any documentary proof of the film rating with you. Damages of film rated ISO 800, through scanners, have not being confirmed though.
We also recommend that you leave extra time to pass through security as additional screening requirements may be required.
Thank you again for taking the time to write to us, we have passed the feedback to the relevant team for their review. I hope you will have a better experience on your next journey. I do recommend to have the document with you, if you do not have it already, because that would help processes through security and you certainly would not to have to give up film photography.
Kind regards,
<NAME/>
Heathrow Passenger Support.”
Pardon my French, but these people do not give a fuck. Also note the lack of a link to the documents I requested. I responded and asked for them again (along with point-by-point refutations and additional questions), that was more than two years ago and I am yet to receive a reply.