Box as a checked "suitcase"

[boswellnakia]

We are flying Southwest with two checked bags free. We usually take some food with us for our DVC room. Going for a longer time leaving on Christmas. Can I package the food in boxes and tape them shut and "check" them as part of our free luggage with SWA? I really won't need the extra suitcases coming home and don't have any that can be double stacked. Will a box work? If TSA has to cut it open to see what's in it, will they retape it back?

 

[xlxo]

To clarify, what type of special food are you packing?

Personally, I just hit a local Costco, Walmart or a 7-11 when I land to load up on supplies when travelling. This frees up my luggage weight allowance.

 

[boswellnakia]

We won't have a rental car and would hate to take a taxi to get what we need. I looked at a couple of the grocery services and think they are way overpriced. We will be taking cereal, snacks, country ham, cooked bacon, muffins, chips, etc. It may just be easier to go and buy a larger suitcase that our medium sizes will double stack on the way home. I could envision TSA opening them and not taping the box back or cramming it back in the box.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It's fine to check a box, as long as it meets the size requirements (you should see what odd things people check); I've checked boxes many times. If it is opened for inspection, it will be taped shut. Don't waste money buying an unneeded suitcase.

 

[njpyro]

I've checked boxes in the past without a problem. That being said, this was on united and there was no food in the boxes. I had gone with marching band several times, and while the drums are in cases, the harnesses didn't fit in carry -on, so we put them all in a cardboard box and they made it there and back no problem. The only problem was not bringing tape to seal those boxes for the way home, but the hotel was able to help us out.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Checking food is fine!

 

[hsmamato2]

I've checked sealed foods in the past, inside a softsided small cooler... it was fine but I am debating between doing the same as OP,or ordering some food to be delivered at hotel.... since I feel distrustful about my package arriving, I am leaning towards bringing my own food along. (special diet) is there ever an issue with for example my homemade cereal, packaged into airtight containers in a checked box/bag? or does it have to be store packaging?

 

[delilah]

We routinely bring food items from home. In the old days, when we had two bags per person, I would use one of our bags strictly for "household" items. We just used a suitcase, because that worked for us, and then we had an empty suitcase for the trip home for souvenirs. That said, I don't do any significant cooking in the room, and I prefer to get things that need refrigeration locally. Another trip, we checked a box of clothing items we were giving to our family that my son had outgrown, and that was fine, too. The cost of checking the box was less than the cost of sending it UPS.