Cardboard box as checked luggage?

[cynderella]

I read on another (quite old) thread about someone who said they packed a cardboard box with groceries and then brought it along as checked luggage on the plane. To me, this sounds like a great idea considering my family of four is not going to need 8 suitcases on top of our carry-ons and "personal items." I like the idea of a cardboard box better than a suitcase because then we could just toss the box upon arrival. We really don't need an extra suitcase for bringing home souvenirs as my DH works at DL in CA and we're about Disney mechandised out. My questions: IS this possible and would it be a problem with security? I figure they'd untape the box to check it, but would they re-seal it? I know I can call the airline, and probably will before attempting this, but I just wondered if anyone has done this before or what your experience with it was.

Obviously, I wouldn't pack any glass or fragile items in the box. I was also sort of considering packing (in the box) a "thermo-bag" with those gel ice paks you can get from the dollar store to bring maybe some cheese and lunch meat. I mean, it's only a 5 hour flight...that stuff would be ok if packed properly, yes? I just don't want to waste any of my vacation grocery shopping and if I have extra room to pack this stuff, it seems silly to pay for grocery delivery. We're going to eat out for everything except breakfast and afternoon snacks, and we could buy milk at the resort store without breaking the bank.

 

[ducklite]

I haven't checked a cardboard box in 8 years, but when I've done so in the past, I've had to sign a form that declared the box was not suitable packaging and the airline wouldn't be responible for any loss or damage.

Have you thought about packing a duffel with clothes, packing a suitacase with food, and then just stashing the duffel into the suitcase for the way home?

Anne

 

[cynderella]

I haven't checked a cardboard box in 8 years, but when I've done so in the past, I've had to sign a form that declared the box was not suitable packaging and the airline wouldn't be responible for any loss or damage.

Have you thought about packing a duffel with clothes, packing a suitacase with food, and then just stashing the duffel into the suitcase for the way home?

Anne

Actually, that hadn't occurred to me, but it's not a bad idea at all. I don't know if I can find the old duffel I (think I) have that would be ideal for this purpose, but I guess I could buy or borrow one...

Thanks for the response. I don't want to sign anything at the airport!

 

[DonnaL]

I agree with Anne.......I don't think I would chance packing a cardboard box and checking it. I have, however, packed a box and taken it to UPS about 5 or 6 days (check the UPS website for delivery info) addressed to myself at whatever resort we're going to be. I simply make sure our checkin date is very visible on the address. I usually put c/o Front Desk and then my name/
Guest/ Check-In Date right in the address area. The only time I had a slight problem with this was at BWV. The Front Desk didn't get it, but, instead it went to the package room in the convention area of BW. It took a few hours to find it and I basically had to do the footwork for that. I took my UPS printout receipt showing it had been delivered down to the package room and they had to call someone in who had the keys to that room (it was a Saturday evening) and then they delivered it to our room. All other times I've done this the package is waiting for us at the Front Desk and they bring it right up to the room as soon as we're in. It usually costs about $15.00 and it's a good size box (about 25 to 27 lbs). I put all the essentials in, usually cereal (I remove from the box and put in a Ziploc
and cushion with packing material), coffee, sugar(again in a double Ziploc)
teabags, English muffins, any spices I'll need if I'm making any meals, some foil and plastic wrap, small jar jelly/peanut butter, ice tea and lemonade mix (again double bagged Ziplocs), laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, soap. Anything I don't want to pack and know we will use up during the week.

 

[FoodLover]

I was also sort of considering packing (in the box) a "thermo-bag" with those gel ice paks you can get from the dollar store to bring maybe some cheese and lunch meat. I mean, it's only a 5 hour flight...that stuff would be ok if packed properly, yes?

I think you've already been given some excellent advice, but I would like to caution you against putting anything perishable in checked baggage. The TSA will almost certainly open your box/bag because many such items (cheese, etc) set off their bomb detectors. (The official TSA site asks you NOT to check food items.) Also, if the bag or box is delayed by the airlines, you will have one stinky mess on your hands!

Stuff like that is better carried onto the plane and kept with you. Or personally I'd wait and buy perishables at the resort. Yes, they're overpriced, but unless you're talking about a LOT of cheese and lunchmeat, it's only going to cost you a couple of extra dollars.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[cynderella]

Yeah, it isn't really an issue of cost so much as convenience. I hate to think about grocery shopping taking up any of my vacation time, but I suppose the buying of perishables is going to happen at the resort store no matter what I do. I can live with that. My husband wants to rent a car to go to the grocery store and I am DETERMINED to avoid that scenario at all costs. I think I will bring some non-perishables in a carry-on and then just pick up milk and deli items at the BC store. Thanks for the input!

 

[DonnaL]

Making a grocery run isn't really all that bad. We usually try to time it around dinner and haven't really run into any real big crowds. We usually shop at Winn Dixie on Apopka Vineland (about 10 minutes from BC). Both DH and I go and split the list. Our run is usually less than a half hour. As I stated earlier, I send the non perishables so we really only need fresh stuff (oj, milk, eggs, bread or rolls, some deli stuff, fresh fruit) I take an insulated bag as my carryon with some stuff I've made at home and frozen (spaghetti sauce, meatloaf, precooked chicken which I've cooked and then broken up and frozen to be used for chicken salad or chicken cacciatore). I also usually throw a few sticks of butter in the bag. I don't take ALL of these things for one trip (we do eat out several times during our trip) but, decide what I'm taking before I send my UPS package so I can send the non perishable stuff. We have a two hour drive to the airport then a two hour flight so everything is usually still frozen when we get there, but, if we can't check right in I don't worry because the bag is insulated and will keep stuff VERY cold up to 22 hours.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Yeah, it isn't really an issue of cost so much as convenience. I hate to think about grocery shopping taking up any of my vacation time, but I suppose the buying of perishables is going to happen at the resort store no matter what I do. I can live with that. My husband wants to rent a car to go to the grocery store and I am DETERMINED to avoid that scenario at all costs. I think I will bring some non-perishables in a carry-on and then just pick up milk and deli items at the BC store. Thanks for the input!

The store at the Beach Club is really very good, with a wide variety of grocery items available. If you think you are going to want more than that, I'd recommend grocery delivery. There are a number of services that deliver to WDW resorts, and with the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) folks (myself included) who get units with full kitchens, the demand for grocery delivery keeps growing. We have used www.wegoshop.com and had good results; using this service, it is simply a couple who take your grocery list and go shopping for you; they have a list of preferred stores but they'll go to any of the stores in the area if needed. The delivery fee is much smaller than the cost of car rental, and you don't waste vacation time at the grocery store.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[NotUrsula]

The TSA will almost certainly open your box/bag because many such items (cheese, etc) set off their bomb detectors.

Not all foods are a problem, which is important to know. The issue is that foods that are very dense, such as peanut butter, hard cheeses, cured meats (like a whole salami or a ham), blocks of vacuum-packed ground coffee, stacks of big chocolate bars, etc., can, on a CTX scan, closely match the profile for the consistency of plastic explosives, and that is why such bags much be opened and inspected.

Hardback books and stacked papers also normally match the profile, which is always an issue for me, as I tend to need to take them when I travel for business. (Cheaper than shipping them.)

Here is an interesting (and funny) little article written by a screener that explains exactly what the procedure is when the scanner alerts for density: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.09/bagscan.html

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have checked cardboard boxes as luggage many times with zero problems, often containing food items.

Just be aware that checked boxes WILL be opened at check in (NOT by TSA, but by the agent at the check-in desk), and the contents inspected, so don't bother to seal the top. The airlines do have tape for resealing. It's really not a big deal.

I was also sort of considering packing (in the box) a "thermo-bag" with those gel ice paks you can get from the dollar store to bring maybe some cheese and lunch meat.

This I would not recommend doing. The ice packs will cause condensation and make your box leak. Don't pack anything in checked baggage which must be kept cold.

 

[Bronte]

Wow ... I never thought of doing this.
So long as it does not weigh too much and is not a hazard does it matter what you pack in the box (monsters, v8, beer)
Of course it would have to be leak proof too right ???

 

[sam_gordon]

Have you considered gardengrocer.com? Then you can get your perishables and everything else delivered right to your resort. I don't know about the cost comparison though.

Also, how are you getting from MCO to your resort? If you're using a towncar service, a grocery stop is usually included. Maybe 1-2 of you get a towncar service & take advantage of a grocery stop, the rest take ME. By the time those in the towncar arrive at the resort, the others should be checked in.

Just a couple suggestions.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

As I posted back in 2006 there is no problem checking cardboard boxes. You would not believe what people check on planes.

Why bump a thread which is almost 6 years old?