Coolers on an airplane?

[jfranklyn]

I know this probably isn't the right board for this to be posted on, but I wasn't sure where else to put it!!

For our past 5 trips to Disney, we have always driven from NJ. This november, we are going to fly, thanks to GREAT rates from continental. It will literally be cheaper for us to fly than to drive, which is unheard of. Anyway, we have gotten very used to travelling with a cooler, and depending on it to eat breakfast in our room at the hotel.

Have any of you ever "checked" a cooler as luggage? Brought one as a carry on? I'm just trying to figure out a way to get one there for our milk, yogurt, juice, etc.

We are considering doing a towncar transfer, with a probable food stop. Would the food store that they would take you too have a cheap styrofoam cooler for sale?

Thanks for any help you can give us!

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

I checked a cooler in Jan, 2004 when I flew down on SW. I filled it up with stuff that I wouldn't mind losing, just in case - paper plates, plastic ponchos, etc. I taped it well so that it would stay closed and the handle wouldn't pop up, and affixed a big label on it with my name, telephone number, destination, and flight number. I didn't have any problems at all, and would do it again anytime. Have fun on your trip!

 

[drogerstn]

We used duct tape on our hard-sided, 54-quart cooler when checking it on flights and most recently, we used luggage straps to secure the cooler shut. You may want to put your clothes and other items inside a small duffle bag before placing it them in your cooler. If the cooler comes open, the items will be secure in your bag and when you make your grocery stop, you can remove the bag and load your cooler at the store.

The hard-sided cooler has good insulation and a drain plug and a tray that fits on top. This is much better than the disposable styrofoam coolers which aren't environmentally friendly.

 

[Kae]

We use soft side coolers as our carry ons. We use the smaller ones that are about the size as a carry on.

Kae

 

[Penny2]

Done it both ways....hard sided and fold up. If we take the soft sided it goes in the suitcase. If we take the hard sided cooler we check it as luggage after packing it with shoes and stuff and taping it really well. The only thing different about this is that they sometimes make you sign a waiver for the cooler that they aren't responsible if its damaged.

 

[thatdarncat]

Hello to fellow NJian from Montclair. Just out of curiousity, I will be flying out of Newark in September. Just how great were these rates from Continental?

 

[dalt01]

the soft ones fold up to about the size of a three ring binder or large cereal box and opens to the size of a pepsi "cube", i think they have these all over its a square case of pop. it fits in the luggage well and is easy to use once you are there. it will hold milk, juices butter and such very easily, much better IMHO than taping shut a regular cooler and lugging it around i personally would feel a bit like jed clampett doing that but thats just me, you also can buy a styrofoam one at any market for 5 bucks when you get there and toss it when you leave.

 

[dalt01]

the soft ones fold up to about the size of a three ring binder or large cereal box and opens to the size of a pepsi "cube", i think they have these all over its a square case of pop. it fits in the luggage well and is easy to use once you are there. it will hold milk, juices butter and such very easily, much better IMHO than taping shut a regular cooler and lugging it around i personally would feel a bit like jed clampett doing that but thats just me, you also can buy a styrofoam one at any market for 5 bucks when you get there and toss it when you leave.

 

[dalt01]

oops

 

[jfranklyn]

Thanks for all your great responses! I especially like the Jed Clampett idea..... that's pretty much us!! I gave up on caring what people thought of us a long time ago!!

To THATDARNCAT - Hey! I went to college in Montclair - guess where??!! As far as the continental rates go, we got 3 seats (there are 4 of us but our son is going to be a lap child) at $115 round trip non-stop each. So for $345 the 4 of us can fly there cheaper than we can drive (thanks to the price of gas these days!) I have NO idea why it was so cheap, but I'm not complaining! We're very excited.....

 

[NotUrsula]

It's best NOT to tape your cooler until you have checked it. Every airline I've ever flown one on has required the baggage agent to visually inspect the contents to make sure that there is no ice or dry ice inside. (This is separate from the TSA inspection.)

 

[thatdarncat]

Wow, I cant belive those air fares! I booked a while ago and wound up with $239 each person round trip. Well, have fun in Disney! I can hardly wait to get there!!!!!