Im flying back to the states this Friday (Granada- Madrid, Madrid-Chicago with IBERIA) after a semester in Spain, so needless to say I have a TON of developed pictures already in photo albums, and a video (VHS) tape. Does anybody know, or have experience on this one- is it safe to put these things in my checked luggage with the new scanning equipment they have since sept 11??? thanks!
kelly

I have not been to Spain yet (going next month) but was in Paris in November. It cost so much money (about $14-20 a roll) to develop my film there that I carried undeveloped film home in my carry-on. I argued with the inspection person at the Paris airport because he refused to hand inspect it. Wrong move...I had to remove my shoes and was inspected head to toe. My film went through numerous xrays and I was doubtful I would get anything but a gray haze on my prints. They came out great, tho. I had 100 and 200 asa film. Another time I came home from the UK with 400 asa and prints turned kind of greenish so maybe the lower speed film does better.
By the way, at every airport in the US I have been able to get my film hand inspected just by asking politely.

In answer to your question - you should have absolutely no trouble bringing your developed prints back. I have never had any trouble with them before. I don't know about the video. In the UK they use a different type of video equipment. Be sure that the one you are bringing will work in your player.

If it doesn't work in your player, there are companies here in the US that will change the tape over to the US system of film so that it works in your machine.

I'd worry more that they're not letting people lock their luggage anymore. If someone opens it to inspect it, you may loose it. I'd ship the photos back and probably the tapes too- the machines won't hurt the tapes.

Good luck!