Carry-on Food question

[LoveKermit]

Trying to maybe save a buck when we travel next week. We have a 6 PM flight, so I figure we'll probably eat on the plane. We usually buy sandwiches at the airport but that's hardly saving a buck.....

I'm pretty sure sandwiches make it through security, but I'm just looking for people's experiences/hints with this. I'm thinking either making sandwiches or stopping at Subway or Jimmy John's on the way to ORD.

However, if it's too complicated, or I get them confiscated anyway resulting in buying more sandwiches, then I won't bother.

Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Sandwiches are fine; homemade sandwiches are cheapest . You won't have any trouble getting fully-made sandwiches throuch security, and meals to be eaten on the plane, brought on the plane in disposable packaging (paper bags/wrapping vs. reusable plastic containers, for example) generally DON'T count toward your luggage limit... but check with your specific airline!!! I'd love to tell you on which airline's website I read this, but I've visited so many this week ... either JetBlue, Delta, Continental, Southwest, or AirTran.

 

[Hannathy]

remember to put the condiments on before security. The little packets are a no-no and won't be allowed.

I used my last meal credit at Disney to take a sandwich and chocolate cake from POP onto the plane, only problem I had was the Security guy was joking with me and said he thought chocolate cake wasn't allowed and he would have to confiscate that and would sacrifice himself by tasting it to make sure it was safe. but it was great to sit on the plane and eat one last Disney meal.

 

[LoveKermit]

I thought I read that about condiments too. I might try to find some in the airport because sometimes they make a sandwich soggy. I'll ask DH.

So you're saying if I'm carrying my little brown bag through the airport, with my name on it, of course, and I have my baggies chips, carrots and cookies, I'm good to go and can still have a purse and a bag? Sounds good.

Can you picture it?

DH is going to tell me that we'll just buy sandwiches......then he won't be able to decide what he wants because nothing looks good.....and I'll still have to find or bring something for DD because the sandwiches are a little fancy. Good times.

 

[tjmw2727]

I thought I read that about condiments too. I might try to find some in the airport because sometimes they make a sandwich soggy. I'll ask DH.

So you're saying if I'm carrying my little brown bag through the airport, with my name on it, of course, and I have my baggies chips, carrots and cookies, I'm good to go and can still have a purse and a bag? Sounds good.

Can you picture it?

DH is going to tell me that we'll just buy sandwiches......then he won't be able to decide what he wants because nothing looks good.....and I'll still have to find or bring something for DD because the sandwiches are a little fancy. Good times.

That is totally fine - I bring a soft sided cooler with sandwiches, snacks and I use frozen carrots or frozen grapes as an ice pack. Then we purchase drinks after security so we can have what we like when we want it and not wait on the FA. Honestly it makes the trip much more pleasant for us.

You could also bring the single serve packs of mayo/mustard etc. just put them in your 3-1-1 bag.

 

[LoveKermit]

You could also bring the single serve packs of mayo/mustard etc. just put them in your 3-1-1 bag.

I had this thought too.....

 

[kaytieeldr]

That is totally fine - I bring a soft sided cooler with sandwiches, snacks and I use frozen carrots or frozen grapes as an ice pack. Then we purchase drinks after security so we can have what we like when we want it and not wait on the FA. Honestly it makes the trip much more pleasant for us.

You could also bring the single serve packs of mayo/mustard etc. just put them in your 3-1-1 bag.

That's fine, as long as your party hasn't exceeded its total carry-on allowance - or if you eat in the terminal and then put the cooler in one of your suitcases. But with storage space at a premium, and the TSA not caring how much you bring through security but the airlines caring very much, again, food intended to be eaten onboard and carried on in disposable packaging is fine. Someone's third piece of carry-on luggage? Eh, not so much .

We usually buy sandwiches at the airport but that's hardly saving a buck.....

I'm pretty sure sandwiches make it through security, but I'm just looking for people's experiences/hints with this. I'm thinking either making sandwiches or stopping at Subway or Jimmy John's on the way to ORD.

Check the ORD website. I know BOS has a rule that vendors can't charge more than their free-standing counterparts. For example, if there's a Subway in the terminal, and Subway is running their $5 footlong promotion, the in-terminal location can't charge $10 for that same sub . I know a few airports around the country have the same type of rule, although I forget what it's called. Check; buying at the airport may not be any more expensive, and it would save you time.

 

[LoveKermit]

O'Hare doesn't have those sandwich places. Their sandwiches are no-name vendors and Corner Bakery. The sandwiches are good....but they are like $7-8 each.

I'm not lugging my soft-sided cooler on the plane. Even if I did, I would fold it up and throw it in my backpack when finished--no carry-on space used.

I did carry it on once--in 2003--before all the crazy liquid rules. We went to Mexico and landed in Cancun at straightup lunchtime. I brought Uncrustables and probably some pringles. The customs guards got a kick out of the sandwiches as they'd never seen those before.

We ate on a curb waiting for a taxi to fill with enough people to leave. Perfect way to start a vacation. It would be nice to bring liquids again. I thought that was changing soon.

 

[kaytieeldr]

O'Hare doesn't have those sandwich places. Their sandwiches are no-name vendors and Corner Bakery. The sandwiches are good....but they are like $7-8 each.

Ah, interesting. It seems odd that the busiest airport in the country has only 'no-name' vendors ;confused3.

I'm not lugging my soft-sided cooler on the plane. Even if I did, I would fold it up and throw it in my backpack when finished--no carry-on space used.

No, I understand that. I'm not saying anybody here would try to bring additional carry-on luggage aboard a plane. I was simply stating the AIRLINE POLICIES. You (general 'you') know how limited the space is, right? And how each passenger is allowed one overhead bag and one underseat bag? Somebody whose party didn't have the maximum number of pieces could bring a cooler.

MOST passengers could bring food to be consumed during the flight IF it's in disposable packaging. It doesn't matter what the passenger intends to do with the food container after they eat. It matters that/whether they attempt to exceed the airline's luggage limits.

 

[tjmw2727]

That's fine, as long as your party hasn't exceeded its total carry-on allowance - or if you eat in the terminal and then put the cooler in one of your suitcases. But with storage space at a premium, and the TSA not caring how much you bring through security but the airlines caring very much, again, food intended to be eaten onboard and carried on in disposable packaging is fine. Someone's third piece of carry-on luggage? Eh, not so much .

snip -
.

Just to clarify my cooler is more the size of a lunchbox and fits into my carryon that goes under the seat in front of me. There are three of us and we manage without ever using any overhead storage.

 

[LoveKermit]

It's Airport Food at O'Hare. There's plenty of McDonald's (gross for a plane--how do people eat that cold?)....and, like I said Corner Bakery. Maybe Chili's has a sandwich fridge too, but they are all the same sandwiches in every fridge, just don't remember who makes them.

But definitely no Subway or Jimmy John's (I don't think JJ is in airports). Midway has all the good food--but it's way to far for us. I live 20 min from ORD, even if there is a freight train to wait for on the west side.

I think I've had my questions answered. Now, to lightly suggest to DH that we bring our own food (I'm never going to win).

 

[txo1474]

Quiznos subs can be found at ORD. Prices are same as other shops in airport.

 

[LoveKermit]

So, finally talked to DH about it.

Anybody have experience taking on Uncrustables? As I stated, we did it in 2003, but that was long before this liquid nonsense. He feels like they won't be messy and don't need cooling (since, clearly, we cannot carry on an ice pack).

We may also do summer sausage and cheese.

Or we might make our own pb & j.

Or we might still stop at a sandwich shop on the way.

We decided Chicago doesn't have the "same as the outside" price rule. McDonald's in the airport does not have the same prices as the ones outside.

I just mentioned Quizno's. He was okay with that until I read the whole post...."prices same." Also, what terminal? I don't think we remember seeing it, though we were never looking for it either. We're flying AA, Terminal 3.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Anybody have experience taking on Uncrustables?

Regularly (by the way, I went deeper into Target than just Electronics for the first time in years, just this weekend; whole wheat Uncrustables!). Your DH is correct, they're great. They take about four hours to thaw, and they're good for either twelve hours or a few days beyond that. It might be twelve hours 'plain' and up to a week refrigerated.

And as long as you don't smear the peanut butter all over the tray tables or armrests, there shouldn't be any issues with peanut allergies

 

[LoveKermit]

I know how Uncrustables work, I just want to be sure they can get through security. It seems like because they are packaged, they'd be fine. But it is tamper-able.

But if they work, that may be what we do. I did think about the allergy thing, but planes are not peanut-free. And I do not plan on schmearing the pb all over. Being contained in the uncrustable does help vs a sandwich.

Well, four more days to contemplate.....

 

[kaytieeldr]

Premade PBJ sandwiches are fine. I know. I've taken them many times. If you have a couple of empty 50-CD containers, you can stack three or four Uncrustables uncrushably

 

[tjmw2727]

I know how Uncrustables work, I just want to be sure they can get through security. It seems like because they are packaged, they'd be fine. But it is tamper-able.

But if they work, that may be what we do. I did think about the allergy thing, but planes are not peanut-free. And I do not plan on schmearing the pb all over. Being contained in the uncrustable does help vs a sandwich.

Well, four more days to contemplate.....

It has nothing to do with the packaging but with it being a sandwich vs a container of of peanut butter.

I have also taken uncrustables many times, (my dd loves the pb& honey on wheat!) as well as PB&J sandwiches I made myself and all kinds of other deli sandwiches with and without condiments. Bagel and cream cheese is also fine but cream cheese itself is subject to the 3-1-1 rule.

 

[At World's End]

If you want to have your own drinks on the plane, here is how:

Bring empty water bottles through security. Fill them at a water fountain. Add individual packets of lemonade/koolaid/propel/etc.