Can you bring FOOD on the plane? Not snacks- FOOD food...

[toledo13]

I guess my biggest concern is getting the food past security... has anyone had a problem with this?? Do you have to package it a certain way so that the inspectors don't have to pick through it with their grimey hands? (and I mean that in all nice-ness...

 

[Lewisc]

No problem putting a sandwich in a regular zip lock bag. The issue is how you keep the sandwich at a safe temperature. Some ideas:

Pick a sandwich that doesn't require refrigeration (PB&J for example).
Use a baggie with ice. Dump the ice before security and refill the baggie with ice post security. You may need to buy a drink or something. I wouldn't expect free ice.

Freeze something like grapes.

 

[prncess674]

I guess my biggest concern is getting the food past security... has anyone had a problem with this?? Do you have to package it a certain way so that the inspectors don't have to pick through it with their grimey hands? (and I mean that in all nice-ness...

The food is allowed, what is not allowed is ice, blue ice packs, water or any other drink unless it is under 3 ounces and is in your 3-1-1 baggie. You can have spreads on your sandwich but if you bring through a container or package of spread (mustard, mayo, dressing, etc.) then it too must be in your 3-1-1 baggie.

Your food should also fit within your carryon and personal item. Some TSA agents are very strict about it hence why I stick to only easily packable and somewhat smushable items like pita pockect sandwiches and carrot sticks.

 

[toledo13]

The food is allowed, what is not allowed is ice, blue ice packs, water or any other drink unless it is under 3 ounces and is in your 3-1-1 baggie. You can have spreads on your sandwich but if you bring through a container or package of spread (mustard, mayo, dressing, etc.) then it too must be in your 3-1-1 baggie.

Your food should also fit within your carryon and personal item. Some TSA agents are very strict about it hence why I stick to only easily packable and somewhat smushable items like pita pockect sandwiches and carrot sticks.

That's what I was thinking- Pita Sandwich. Did you have to take it out of your carryon and put it on one of the trays or could you leave it in your bag?

 

[toledo13]

No problem putting a sandwich in a regular zip lock bag. The issue is how you keep the sandwich at a safe temperature. Some ideas:

Pick a sandwich that doesn't require refrigeration (PB&J for example).
Use a baggie with ice. Dump the ice before security and refill the baggie with ice post security. You may need to buy a drink or something. I wouldn't expect free ice.

Freeze something like grapes.

That ice thing is a good idea!! I was planning on doing foods that don't NEED to be in the fridge (like no lunch meat, no cheese), but often sandwiches are better cold anyway!

 

[prncess674]

That's what I was thinking- Pita Sandwich. Did you have to take it out of your carryon and put it on one of the trays or could you leave it in your bag?

Just leave it in your bag. I would just wrap it in plastic wrap or put it in a ziploc bag. They aren't going to take it out of that plastic wrap. Another fave I like to make are pinwheels and cut as usual then just leave the log put together, wrap in plastic wrap and then I have easy bite size pieces. Also makes it easy to dole out to the family. Don't forget to throw in a few napkins.

 

[La2kw]

No problem putting a sandwich in a regular zip lock bag. The issue is how you keep the sandwich at a safe temperature. Some ideas:

Pick a sandwich that doesn't require refrigeration (PB&J for example).
Use a baggie with ice. Dump the ice before security and refill the baggie with ice post security. You may need to buy a drink or something. I wouldn't expect free ice.

Freeze something like grapes.

We use a frozen orange. It stays cold a long time and keeps the food cold. We also use a small soft sided cooler as my carry-on, plus my laptop bag which doesn't count as a carryon.

 

[prncess674]

We use a frozen orange. It stays cold a long time and keeps the food cold. We also use a small soft sided cooler as my carry-on, plus my laptop bag which doesn't count as a carryon.

It is counted as your "personal item," for clarification for others you are allowed one carryon which by most airline standards is 45 linear inches plus one personal item which is why your laptop case was considered your carryon and the cooler was considered your personal item.