can i check a cooler on a plane

[chrismom2005]

i'm staying in the values and dont want to spend $70 to have a fridge. can i check a medium sized cooler on the plane.

 

[NotUrsula]

As long as you don't have any perishables packed in it, yes. Airline personnel will have to inspect the contents before you check it, to be sure that there is no dry ice inside. (If it is a softside collapsible cooler, you probably should not put any glass containers in it, either.)

We take our hard wheeled cooler as luggage all the time, packed full with beach toys/towels. I always put the contents into a pillowcase when I pack it, so that I can pull everything out easily inside the trunk of the rental car when we initially stop for groceries and ice.

 

[chrismom2005]

how do you seal the top on so it wont fall off

 

[ottawamom]

Duct tape should work. When in doubt I use it when and wherever possible.

 

[karliebug]

We've done this several times and filled it with our snacks,cereals,etc. After they check the contents we just duct tape it really good. Works like a charm.

 

[seashoreCM]

The cooler must have the qualities of hard sided luggage. A styrofoam cooler that would disintegrade with the slightest banging around is not usable.

Empty out the water before putting in fresh ice each day. You might as well leave the cold packs that may have been frozen at the start of your trip outside since they won't help the ice cool the inside unless they are frozen solid again.