Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Flying with Film & Video
Never pack film—developed or undeveloped—in checked bags, as the
new, more powerful scanners in U.S. airports can fog film. The film you
carry with you can be damaged by scanners as well. X-ray damage is
cumulative; the faster the film and the more times you put it through a
scanner, the more likely the damage. Film under 800 ASA is usually safe
for up to five scans. If you're taking your film through additional scans,
U.S. regulations permit you to demand hand inspections. In interna-
tional airports, you're at the mercy of airport officials. On international
flights, store your film in transparent baggies, so you can remove it eas-
ily before you go through scanners. Keep in mind that airports are not
the only places where your camera may be scanned: Highly trafficked
attractions are X-raying visitors' bags with increasing frequency.
Most photo supply stores sell protective pouches designed to block
damaging X-rays. The pouches fit both film and loaded cameras. They
should protect your film in checked baggage, but they also may raise
alarms and result in a hand inspection.
You'll have little to worry about if you are traveling with
digital
cameras.
Unlike film, which is sensitive to light, the digital camera and
storage cards are not affected by airport X-rays, according to Nikon.
Still, if you plan to travel extensively, you may want to play it safe and
hand-carry your digital equipment or ask that it be inspected by hand.
See “Digital Photography on the Road,” on p. 32.
Carry-on scanners will not damage
videotape
in video cameras, but
the magnetic fields emitted by the walk-through security gateways
and handheld inspection wands will. Always place your loaded cam-
corder on the screening conveyor belt or have it hand-inspected. Be
sure your batteries are charged, as you may be required to turn the
device on to ensure that it's what it appears to be.
BY BUS
The
Greyhound Bus Station
in
Chicago is at 630 W. Harrison
(
&
800/231-2222
travel informa-
tion; www.greyhound.com), not far
from Union Station. Several city buses
(nos. 60, 125, 156, and 157) pass in
front of the terminal building, and the
nearest El stop is at Clinton Street and
Congress Parkway on the Blue Line.
10 Show & Tell: Getting Kids Interested in Chicago
Kids will be most interested in your
upcoming adventure when they have
input into the activities you plan. Use
this topic to tell your kids about the
great adventures awaiting them in
Chicago—riding the El, climbing into
a captured World War II U-boat at the
Museum of Science and Industry, rid-
ing a high-speed elevator to see the
sights from the John Hancock Center,
or going to a McDonald's that's also a
rock 'n' roll museum.
Movie-wise, you can rent
Blues
Brothers
(1979) and show Jake and
Elmo jumping the bridge across the
river and careening down the street
under the El tracks. The movie features
a classic multicar pileup in the center
of downtown Daley Plaza.
Ferris
Bueller's Day Off
(1985) is the ultimate
