Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

GETTING THERE 55
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. Scanners can
damage the film you carry with you as well. X-ray damage is cumulative;
the slower 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 ask for hand inspections. In international
airports, you’re at the mercy of airport officials. On international
flights, store your film in transparent bags, so you can remove it
easily before you go through scanners.
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.
An organization called Film Safety for Traveling on Planes, FSTOP
(& 888/301-2665; www.f-stop.org), can provide additional tips for
traveling with film and equipment.
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 camcorder
on the screening conveyor belt or have it hand-inspected. Be
sure your batteries are charged, as you will probably be required to
turn the device on to ensure that it’s what it appears to be.
• Your choice of airline and airplane
will definitely affect your legroom.
Research firm Skytrax has posted
a list of average seat pitches for
international airlines at www.
airlinequality.com.
• Emergency exit seats and bulkhead
seats typically have the most
legroom. Emergency exit seats are
usually held back to be assigned
the day of a flight (to ensure that
the seat is filled by someone ablebodied);
it’s worth getting to the
ticket counter early to snag one of
these spots for a long flight. Keep
in mind that bulkheads are where
airlines often put baby bassinets,
so you may be sitting next to an
infant.
• To have two seats for yourself, try
for an aisle seat in a center section
toward the back of coach. If you’re
traveling with a companion, book
an aisle and a window seat. Middle
seats are usually booked last, so
chances are good you’ll end up
with three seats to yourselves. And
in the event another passenger is
assigned the middle seat, he or she
will probably be happy to trade
for a window or an aisle.
• Ask about entertainment options.
Many airlines offer seatback video
systems where you get to choose
your movies or play video games—
but only on some planes. (Boeing
777s are your best bet.)
• To sleep, avoid the last row of any
section or a row in front of an
emergency exit, as these seats are
the least likely to recline. Avoid
seats near highly trafficked toilet
areas. You also may want to
reserve a window seat so that you