Bringing Cooler via Airplane

[FunFamily]

I was going to bring an empty (or partially filled with clean diapers) cooler down with us via checked luggage.

Does anyone have experiences with the 100 qt cooler available at Wal-mark for approximately $40? Are there better deals on coolers going elsewhere right now?

I will be buying something tommrow, so any quick thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[renessa]

Get a cooler on wheels with a handle. Enough said!!! Ren

 

[lizzie64]

I didn't know ypu could check a hard sided cooler. Never ocurred to me. We bought one of those huge collapsible cooler bags with some diapers on the way down.

On the way home it held all our souvenirs.

 

[dahess]

The cooler w/wheels is the way to go!!

 

[FunFamily]

Well, the purchase is now made. The cooler selected has wheels -- something I was not giving a lot of thought to until I read it here. Thanks to all who responded.

All our best.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Fun Family, I'm traveling in late May with three girls, one of whom has PKU and has a very special diet. She needs to travel with several foods that must be refrigerated. I was hoping to take a cooler with the plastic jell freezer things to keep a few things cold, tape it shut and check the thing. We'll have a frig at our resort so I only really need it for traveling. If you have success with your cooler could you let me know?!

and to anyone who has checked a cooler, please let me know if you had any hassles or problems.

Thanks
Mary Alice

 

[JillU-DVC]

I have flown with a cooler pre 9/11 - don't know what changes there may be since, but they are REALLY fussy about what is IN the cooler.

Make sure you don't have ANY liquids (they can spill); you must only use the ice packs (gel like) - no dry ice (considered a hazerdous substance) and no ice cubes or anything filled with water and frozen. THey seemed to be really paranoid about something leaking from the cooler onto other luggage (not that I blame them).

You may want to call your airline (or check their website) and see if anyone can provide you with airline specific information.

 

[NotUrsula]

Even before 9/11, the rule on coolers has been that the contents MUST be inspected by airline personnel before you will be allowed to check it. The ticket counters keep tape dispensers and will seal it for you after they have inspected the contents.

If there is any ice or dry ice in it, or beverages that are not in factory-sealed plastic or metal containers, they will not accept it.

BTW, putting a folded towel on top of the contents helps immensely to keep it all cold. If the food *has* to stay cold, I would be very careful how you book your flight; try to get a direct flight that originates at your home airport. If there is a delay, it could easily spoil.