Flying want to bring cooler/food

[kam502]

Hello,

I will be flying down with my 4 kids Wednesday. I've read some good tips here. I want to bring breakfast foods and snacks. Most of my suitcases are the soft style or we are using sports type duffle bags. Will food/ drink boxes get trashed during flight? I picture opening suitcases filled with broken doughnuts etc. I am going form the airport straight to Port Orleans via Mears. I do not think I will be buying food there if I can help it.
thank you,
Kris

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Just line the bags with cardboard and pack the stuff in plastic bags, it should be fine.

 

[Kaa]

We pack a collapsible cooler with a couple of boxes of cereal and other snacks and paper bowls and plastic utensils. We carry this on the plane and store it overhead. We usually finish the cereal during the trip and have an extra bag to carry home souvenirs. The cooler is big enough to hold about a case of sodas and folds flat.

 

[kam502]

Hi,

Are you saying a case of soda because that is approx. the size you bring? Or do you bring a case/ I want to bring a few cases of juice boxes etc. but am afraid they will be too heavy. I know I am kind of last minute for this stuff but such is life!!
Kris

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Since there are 5 people, you should look into one of the car services which should run about $80.00 r/t than you can do the grocery stop and not carry the food on the plane. That would be so much easier for you. It would probably work out to be less expensive than Mears.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

MOMTOMOOTOO,
I completely agree with you on this one. If the driver will stop at either Win Dixie or Publix, the cost is really reasonable and a hell of a lot easier than toting the stuff.

 

[robinb]

I also recommend the ziplock or glad disposable tupperware-type bowls with lids. These come in handy for lots of stuff. You can eat your cereal in them and wash them when you're done, you can store loose non-food things in them, you can fill them with small snacks like cookies and you can use them in the cooler to keep things from getting wet. Don't worry about packing cutlery, there is plenty at the food court.

BTW, Iwould also take a limo for a variety of reasons. The free grocery stop, personalized service and quick transfers. Mears is notoriously slow. It would be worth it even if you have to spend a little bit more.

If you want to stick with bringing stuff with you instead of a grocery stop I have heard of people packing a hard-sided cooler with things, taping it shut and checking it as luggage. Call your airline and make sure you can still do this post 9/11.

 

[kam502]

I had thought of bringing a hard cooler taped with silver tape shut but then thought that post 9/11 they probably have to open it. Especially since I'm flying out of one of the big NY airports.

I have my package paid for and booked with only a few dys left I'm not going to be able to change my mode of transportation so for better or worse, Mears it is. Next time I'll know better regarding cost.
Thank you

Kris

 

[HappyDVCer]

One year we packed twinkies and cupcakes. When I opened my suitcase they were flat and squished. After watching the airports employees toss the luggage into the plane I wasn't surprised. They stack the bags on top of each other too. So I found out the hard way. Now I always make a grocery stop. I do take a few things in our carry on. Good luck!!

 

[WDW2002]

Don't forget about the air pressure and what they can/will do your packaged foods. My friend brought a bag of dill pickle chips (in her carry on) home from wisconsin (they don't have them here) and the bag almost exploded on the plan.

 

[woody5]

I also vote for taking the limo service. In August it will cost $85 round trip from the Airport to the WL for a party of 6. Mears will cost you more because they charge per person. We are using Tiffany Town car. They have a $10 coupon on their web site. They include a 1/2 grocery stop as well. One other thought, if you don't want to stop at the store you could use netgrocer.com and have it delivered to your room. LOL

 

[shefor24]

send it down before you go. Simple, send it UPS ground, put your name on it and have it be there when you get there. We sent down water, cereal, and poptarts, even an old toaster we had. Left the toaster there- we didn't need it anymore any way. We sent I think 2 boxes decent size there and it worked out great. No worries.

 

[Kaa]

I don't take a case of soda, the cooler is made to hold that much. I was trying to give you an idea of the size of the cooler I use.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Most of the cargo holds on the major airlines share the same pressure as the cabin, so, stuff exploding, imploding, freezing, etc. should not be a worry.
I have brought eggs home in my checked luggage and they were fine, only broke one. Just wrap the stuff carefully and layer it with something like cardboard. Actually, a plastic bag tied gives an air cushion.

 

[mmocken]

Pack small dry items...like powerbars, granola, beef jerkey, peanuts, raisins.

Dry Kool aid in a shaker cup or sippy cup for the younger ones.

If you need a cooler, try this wheeled one for a carry on. You can pack with dry ice to lighten the load a bit.

http://www.theoutdoorworld.com

 

[IowaGirl]

Both DH and I brought duffle bags on wheels as our carry on, and one was filled with our snacks, and the other was partially filled with snacks. You are allowed a carry -on, plus a personal bag(like apurse or backpack) per person and we both took our backpacks.

Each kids could have taken a carry-on too, if we had had more stuff. Then you know it won't get crushed. You could take one of those soft side cooler bags as long as it meets size requirements.

 

[kam502]

well, this is what I have worked out so far. I leave tomorrow so I'll let you know how it goes.

I bought a collapsible cooler from Costco. I also bought some dry, bulk items there (cereal bars etc.) that I am packing in our duffle bags/suitcases. I am going to have my 10 year old bring the cooler as his carry on bag. It will really only have some dry items and some frozen Danish and roast beef in it.

I will buy milk and cream cheese at a concession there. I have stowed away those disposable plastic containers and some cups. I'm bringing some dry drink mix but am also going to spring for 2 of the refillable mugs.

Does anyone know if you can get an electric coffee pot from housekeeping?

If I ever do this again I'm seriously going to try .netgrocer I didn't really have time to look into it but did hear some interesting things about it.
Thanks,
Kris

 

[kam502]

What are the size requirements on arlines for carry on? Does anyone know? We will be flying Delta.
Kris

 

[cinmell]

I found this on the Delta Home Page:
What are the baggage limits for domestic travel?
Your ticket purchase includes up to three pieces of baggage. There is a charge for additional bags. Click Excess Baggage for the specific charges.

You may bring one bag onboard the aircraft with you, provided they meet Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The FAA mandates that all carry-on items must fit under a seat or in an enclosed storage compartment.

Our gate or flight personnel may need to further limit the amount of carry-on baggage for a particular flight depending on the cabin stowage capacity of the aircraft type and the expected number of passengers.

Make sure all your checked and carry-on baggage meets the size and weight limits specified on our Checked & Carry-On Allowances page.

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What are the carry-on baggage restrictions for domestic flights?
Of your three bag allowance, you may bring one carry-on item onboard the aircraft. Allowances for Delta's codeshare partners, Delta Connection® carriers or Delta Shuttle may be different.

Each item must fit easily in a Size Wise™ unit (approximate dimensions 22" x 14" x 9") and must weigh less than 40 pounds.
Domestic U.S. Baggage Allowances
On domestic flights, Delta accepts a maximum of three baggage items and one personal item free of charge for each ticketed passenger. Additional baggage may be accepted for an excess baggage fee. All baggage must meet the size and weight limits below.

If you need to bring three bags, your options are:

__ Check three bags and carry on zero bags
__ Check two bags and carry on one bag
Note: Luggage carts count toward your three bag allowance.

Personal items
In addition to the one carry-on item, you can still bring a personal item such as:

* a male or female purse
* a briefcase
* a computer bag
* a camera case
* a diaper bag
* a personal aid device such as wheelchairs or crutches, provided passenger is dependent on them
Additional allowances
The following may be brought in addition to what is listed above and does not count towards your allowance:

* food item for immediate consumption
* assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches, provided passenger is dependent on them
* one box or bag of duty free
* child restraint device
* coat jacket
* umbrella
* one item of reading material

Additional carry-on restrictions and exceptions
These guidelines do not apply to Delta's codeshare partners or Delta Shuttle. Additional restrictions may apply on certain flights.

* Delta may limit carry-ons based on available space.
* All baggage must meet the size and weight limits below.


For information on special items you want to carry on, click Special Baggage at the left.