How to avoid exposing your camera to harm

On a recent flight to Dallas, I witnessed a shooting.

It wasn't a hijacker trying to take over the aircraft. It was an amateur photographer trying to take a picture of his daughter. But the flight attendant treated him like a terrorist.

According to another flight attendant, if the child had been seated in a window seat, it wouldn't have been a problem. However, because the child was standing in the aisle with the cockpit door behind her, the flight attendant reacted like we were under siege.

She insisted the father erase the picture, which he did. Luckily, he was using a digital camera. Had he been using a film camera, she might have insisted he expose the whole roll.

Taking photos at cruising level used to be a snap. Before takeoff during the 1960s, pilots often invited proud parents to the cockpit to take a picture of their youngster seated behind the controls.

At one point, management issued cameras to flight attendants so we could take snaps of first-class passengers. After the flight, we mailed the photos home as a souvenir and thank-you for flying with us.

This practice was terminated after several instances when it turned out the Mrs. in seat 2B wasn't always the same Mrs. viewing the pictures.

But all that changed after Sept. 11. Just stretching your legs near the cockpit can cause heart arrhythmia among crew members. So imagine what holding a Canon SLR with a telephoto lens in that vicinity might do.

It's not that you can't take snapshots at 35,000 feet. According to a media representative for American Airlines, a professional photographer can get permission to shoot on an aircraft by contacting corporate headquarters. But your average amateur is at the whim of the flight attendant and the chances of getting a shot of the cockpit is pie in the sky.

That's not all that causes picture taking to become (literally) a bit fuzzy when you travel. Because security agents are trying to get a sharper picture of your carry-on, they've upped the power on their X-ray equipment.

This might give them a clearer picture, but it won't do the same for you. Here are some ways to make sure you have a clear picture of your vacation:

•Pack your film in your carry-on bag.

The scanning equipment used on checked luggage and on carry-on luggage can cause your memories to fade. To avoid this, consider mailing your film to and from your destination. If this is impossible, stow your film in your carry-on and request the agent to do a hand check of your film. Most U.S. airports cooperate. Some agents might ask you to open the back of your camera to ensure it's loaded with film and not explosives. If this happens, avoid exposing your last shots by moving the film forward before you open your camera.

•Use lead-lined pouches.

According to Judy Langston, professor of photography at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, one time through scanning equipment probably will not affect the quality of your prints. But passing through the machines several times might. If you must carry film in your checked luggage, pack it in lead-lined pouches to block out as many rays as possible.

•Use lower-speed film.

It's the high-speed films that fade the most. If you shoot with film with an ISO of 400 or less, you won't see much distortion. But film with an ISO of 800 might be affected.

•Go digital.

The easiest way to keep your memories from fading is by going digital. X-rays have no effect on memory cards. Until we get a handle on terrorism, it's safer to leave your film camera at home. For the moment, your film is more at risk for exposure than most hijackers.

Gail Todd, a free-lance writer,worked as a flight attendant formore than 30 years. She can bereached via e-mail atgailtodd@aol.com.