09/25/2007 N O N O N O N O N O

PHOTOGRAPHERS. NEVER TRAVEL WITH FILM INTO THE BARCELONA AIRPORT.

Airport time again. BCN to JFK.

The worst airport security experience of my life.
Shot 100 rolls of 400nc medium format neg film on this trip.
Always do a hand check with my film. Always. It's my livelihood.

The airlines tell you the X-ray machines doesn't harm the film and it's bullshit.
Even if it was true i never chance it.
Never have never will.
I thought.
So i ask for my usual handcheck. The security at the BCN airport deny it.
I cant believe. The security just says no.
It's a first. Usually they will bitch but do it.

There's all kinds of tricks at this as photographer.
Stay calm, patient, nonchalant, friendly, ask for the supervisor, wait.
I do all these. A line of 100 people or so backs up behind me.
I'm not letting anyone go in front of me until this fucker checks my film by hand.
He doesn't give a shit. I ask for the supervisor again. He says he is. Bullshit.
I tell him to fuck off. Lose my cool. First time ever. This guy is a true prick
Ask for his supervisor again.
He walks away and grabs 3 spanish army gaurds with AK47's.
Kinda feel like i may in trouble here.

Venessa is looking at me from the other side of the checkpoint. Scared.

The gaurds check me out, sniff me like a dog would, test for fear, shrug and walk off.
So i figure i'll wait it out. Keep asking the guy for a hand check.
30 minutes pass of me asking. Over and over.
No x-ray no flight. He wont budge.
It's a waste of time now. A pissing contest. He has guns. He wins.
There is no job attached to the film.
Venessa has to be at work in 8 hours. I cant make her miss the flight.
It's a personal loss so i can take it and deal with it. I hate losing to pricks like this guy.

So.

Keep my middle finger an inch from his face as i defeatedly slide my film into x-ray.
Keep it there until my film makes it to the other side.
Keep it there while i collect my bags
Keep it there while i put on my belt.
Keep it there while i put on my shoes.
Keep it there while i put on my hat.
Keep it up as i walk off.

Fucking Catalan asshole.

Sorry to be negative but life is sometimes.

Anyway. The rest of the flight was great. Best flight ever really.
Breeze thru customs at JFK.
Beautiful day in NYC.


Always a balance.