Checking cooler

[tacomaranch]

How do I check our cooler at the airport? I need to wrap the tape around it to keep the items cold but I know TSA wants to see what I have in the cooler after we give it to them.

What can I do?

Thanks in advance, April

 

[NotUrsula]

While you CAN check a cooler as baggage, you cannot put any ice or dry ice in it, and frozen food may be challenged by the airline unless you are shipping it via air cargo.

It honestly is NOT a good idea to put frozen food in checked baggage, because if it goes astray or if there is a delay and it sits in the hold of a grounded plane on a runway for several hours, spoilage is inevitable, and the smell will spread to every other bag that is near it. I've seen several of these disasters, and they are NOT pretty. If you can get it into a carryon, that is the preferred way to transport it. (Remember the liquids ban, though -- no frozen soup, etc.)

However, if you are going to take the risk (and assuming that your airline has verified that you CAN check frozen food in baggage), here are the proper steps: Freeze the items in a deep-freeze for several days before departure, so that they are rock-hard. Pack each item in at least 2 layers of watertight packaging that is transparent. Line the interior of the cooler with a large heavy trash bag, and put a thick layer of absorbent material all around the frozen food INSIDE the trash bag, and also on top of the content where the lid of the cooler seam is. This will both add insulation and absorb any leaks. Leave the trash bag open until you have taken the cooler to the airline check-in counter and had it inspected. (Skycaps cannot take such bags; you have to go to the counter.) Once it has been weighed, inspected, and tagged, step to the side and seal the trash bag, tuck down the top insulation, and strap down the lid with at least two tight luggage straps. Then turn it over to the agent to go down the belt. The airline will mark it as having been inspected for disallowed contents, but TSA agents may open and check it anyway, so you don't want to use tape if you can avoid it.

 

[mommiepoppins]

a friend of our did it. The cooler top broke and it was taped with clear tape from the airport security, Hey the food was fine

 

[tacomaranch]

I think we will use your suggestions and line it with trash bag. I am freezing milk, have frozen oj, coffee mate and waffles, Just a bag cooler since we are going smaller. If we loose it all then it will be a lesson learned.

Thanks for the great tips on how to pack!

 

[NotUrsula]

... I am freezing milk, have frozen oj ...

That could be a problem in a softside bag. I'm almost sure that no airline will allow you to ship liquids (even frozen) in a softside cooler. Remember that bags are THROWN into the hold; impact can split something like a milk carton. It might get through if you buy single-serving sized sealed containers, but I'm pretty sure that they would reject something like a half-gallon jug of milk.

The only times I've ever checked softside coolers they have been used just as luggage for the flight -- things like beach towels and shoes inside. The only time I've ever seen someone try to check a softside bag containing frozen food the airline rejected it.

Honestly, for just those items I'd either have them delivered or take a run to the store at the nearest DVC resort or the nearest Hess station.

 

[Snoozan]

Please, please, please do NOT try to ship frozen milk and juice. It will definitely spoil before you can get to it, especially if it's in a soft-sided cooler. Those coolers do not do a good job at keeping things cold - especially if you're traveling this summer(or anytime other than when it's below 30 degrees). Just go to the store or one of the Hess stations. heck, even the food courts sell milk in 1/2 gal sizes. It's not worth the risk of making yourself sick with spoiled food to save a few bucks.

 

[dcgrumpy]

That doesn't sound like a good idea to me. According to your sig you're staying at a DVC resort, you'll have no problems buying those items.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If we loose it all then it will be a lesson learned.

Whether by "lose it" you mean the cooler and/or its contents turn into misdirected luggage, or the items unthaw and go bad, it's a bad idea. DVC properties' stores have a more extensive selection of food items than the other resorts. The items you're planning to bring may (or may not) be more expensive than what you'll buy at home - but they will not melt or split open on an airplane.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

How do I check our cooler at the airport? I need to wrap the tape around it to keep the items cold but I know TSA wants to see what I have in the cooler after we give it to them.

What can I do?

Thanks in advance, April

Hey April,
Have you given Gaarden Grocer a thought? Prices aren't that bad.
Chris

 

[Starr W.]

The only time I really saw alot of coolers being check was at Anchorage AK, hardside ones I assume full of frozen fish.

April, with Garden Grocer, the prices are right in line with my local stores(Toledo, OH) I wouldn't mess with it. I don't think dethawed milk would taste to good IHMO.

We're DVC members and have shipped "dry stuff"(cereal, snacks, big tubes of sunscreen, and coffee down) USPS priority mail is a good option. Then we just picked up milk, oj and water at the store. Now for our next trip which is longer I may look into GC.