TSA Changes Create 'New Problem' for Some Travelers

Over the past several years, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been rolling out new CT screening technology that makes the security screening process better and more efficient.

While this new technology has largely improved the security process for travelers, eliminating points of stress and frustration while helping the security line move faster, it has created a new problem for anyone traveling with undeveloped film, as film photography explodes in popularity.

Film Popularity Surges

Over the past several years, film photography has surged in popularity. The global film camera market was valued at $3.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to hit $6.1 billion by 2034.

Film has been especially popular with the younger generations of photographers, with over 68% of photography enthusiasts under 35 reporting shooting on film at least occasionally in 2023.

Retailers are feeling the surge, too, with drastically increased film sales.

"We went through some hard times, but now it is increasing about 10 to 15% per month, and it has been for about four years," said Jeff Dobbs, General Manager of Mike Crivello's Camera Center in Milwaukee, via Spectrum News 1.

New TSA Technology Creates Problems

While the new TSA technology creates a much more seamless experience for most travelers, it creates a much more stressful process for film photographers.

As Steven Walker of Simple Flying points out, the TSA's new CT screening technology can "damage or destroy" unprocessed film in just one single screening.

"While most passengers benefit from advanced imaging technology, one group of travelers faces a growing challenge," Walker writes. "Photographic film is particularly vulnerable to the newer CT scanners, as unlike traditional airport X-ray machines, which could often be tolerated by lower-speed film under certain circumstances, CT scanners generate significantly more powerful imaging that can damage or destroy unprocessed film in a single screening."

While most travelers benefit from the new technology that allows them to keep their electronics and liquids in their bags, film photographers are hurt by the changes. In the past, film photographers could put low ISO film through an X-ray machine with little to no impact. That simply is not the case with the new technology.

"For photographers traveling with analog cameras, this creates a very different airport experience than the one enjoyed by travelers carrying digital equipment. Film can suffer from fogging, loss of image quality, and permanent degradation after exposure to CT scanning," Walker writes. "The risk applies whether the film is packed in carry-on luggage or remains inside a camera body. As CT deployment expands across the US, film photographers increasingly need to adjust their security routine."

How to Protect Your Film

The easiest way to ensure that your film will not be damaged by the screening technology is to simply ask the TSA for a hand check on your film or camera.

All you have to do is pull your film out of your bag or your pockets just before placing your items through the scanner and ask the TSA agent working the scanner if they would check your items by hand instead.

In fact, this is the method that the TSA recommends when traveling with film.

"We recommend that you put undeveloped film and cameras containing undeveloped film in your carry-on bags or take undeveloped film with you to the checkpoint and ask for a hand inspection," the TSA states on its official website.

When traveling internationally, the process could be a bit trickier. I've found that airport security in many countries will simply refuse to check your film by hand, especially if it's not high ISO film (800 or above). Language barriers can also make it difficult to communicate your request. In this scenario, I've found that it's best to use a lead bag for your film.

There are several lead-lined bags on the market specifically designed to protect your film as it goes through airport security. They are easy enough to find on Amazon.

While this method is very effective, your film will still have to be hand-checked after the lead-lined bag goes through the scanner. So, in most cases, it's more efficient to simply ask for a hand check initially. At the very least, it's best to make sure the lead-lined bag is handy and easily removed from the rest of your luggage.

However, this method is still very useful when traveling internationally, as it forces the security officers to perform a hand check on the film when they may have otherwise refused.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 3:32 AM.