Food on a plane

[tzolkin]

That’s because policies have to be written to cover the...well, I don’t think I can use the word, factor. It’s the part where you have to take into account that you’ll have that one guy who wants to sit maskless with a sandwich in his hand pretending that he is still “eating” after 30 minutes.

Yes, it was a bit weird that they didn't specify that you could remove your mask to eat/drink. All the signage and the emails about the flight stated that you had to wear your mask for the entire duration. And the flight attendants said absolutely nothing as they handed out the snack bags. You could see several people looking around hesitantly trying to figure out if it was okay to take their mask off to eat or not.

 

[tzolkin]

HA, that's the governor of CA who suggested pulling up the mask between bites.

Or there's this option...

 

[bcla]

You might be able to bring liquids in excess of the 100 ml size and quart bag limit if it's for a medical reason. Obviously medication, but possibly also beverages for special dietary restrictions. When my kid was younger, we totally forgot that we had bottled water and even Coke in aluminum cans in a plastic shopping bag. The TSA screener said we could take a certain amount of liquids with us anyways because we had a toddler, but that the Coke couldn't be for the kid (although that was our kid's favorite beverage). We waited for one sealed bottle that was checked in a machine. Another bottle was opened and a little bit of water placed on a strip that went into a different tester.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures​

3-1-1 Liquids Rule Exemption​

TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip, but you must declare them to TSA officers at the checkpoint for inspection.​

​

Remove them from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings. You are not required to place your liquid medication in a plastic zip-top bag. If a liquid, gel, or aerosol declared as medically necessary alarms, then it may require additional screening and may not be allowed.​

As an aside, I've heard of some people bringing in 50 ml bottles of liquor. It depends on the airlines, but some will allow passengers to drink their own alcoholic beverages. At least on US domestic flights, FAA regs require that a flight attendant open it and place the contents in a cup. Something about possibly keeping passengers already too intoxicated from drinking more.

 

[NotUrsula]

My friend has a bag of cherry tomatoes taken. I guess the liquid content was too much or the guy was being a you know what. Pudding cups also a nogo. Sandwiches etc. all ok.

If that was a domestic flight to/from anywhere but Hawaii, the cherry tomatoes incident was just the agent being a butt. If it was an international flight or Hawaii, the reason had nothing to do with liquids, but with agriculture rules designed to prevent the migration of pests; there are many rules about fresh fruit/veggies being transported across international borders or into/out of Hawaii.

Pudding cups WOULD be a no-go, as would yogurt. The way that TSA enforces the rule, any substance that will not hold its shape without the support of a container is prohibited unless it is less than 3.4 oz and carried inside the passenger's 3-1-1 baggie. This includes condiments: you either need to put them on the sandwich or salad before approaching Security, or you need to carry them inside the 3-1-1 baggie.

 

[Wendy1985]

My aunt yave me a peanut butter sandwich and bo problems getting though security

 

[Kitty 34]

My aunt yave me a peanut butter sandwich and bo problems getting though security

Until you run into all the people who could have PB allergic reactions but that can be another thread!!!

*Not joking about PB allergies*

 

[Wendy1985]

Until you run into all the people who could have PB allergic reactions but that can be another thread!!!

*Not joking about PB allergies*

Normally I would not have taken it for that reason but I was in a tight bind tight connection and even with a cushion of time I find it hard to find food in airports, I guess I just dont have the noise to find food

 

[VandVsmama]

Bring your food in a small soft-sided cooler/lunch box that will fit within another carry-on bag. You can't bring any liquids or semi-liquids through the TSA checkpoint, so you won't be able to have any small baggies of ice or a fridge-pack thingy in the lunch box.

BUT

What you CAN do is bring a small zip lock bag with you. Fill the ziplock bag at home with ice. Before you go through TSA checkpoint, dump the ice. Then after you get past the security checkpoint, go to 1 of the airport restaurants and ask for a cup of ice. If they give you lip about it, tell them it's for your diabetic son.

I used this method once when I had to travel for work while I was still nursing...had to bring my breast pump and man, that milk was valuable stuff and I didn't want to waste it, so I kept it cool using the method listed above. It worked out just fine.

 

[bavaria]

Fill the ziplock bag at home with ice.

Or use frozen grapes, and eat the grapes on the plane

 

[DVC-Don]

Please avoid tuna fish or liverwurst, thank you.

 

[easyas123]

Just a question, how does eating on a plane work with the mask mandates? Are you allowed to unmask to eat in your seat? I know they have cut most snack and beverage service on flights. I assume they can make exceptions, but it seems relevant.

To the OP, solid foods are fine through security, so sandwiches and such are all good. They are strict on liqids and semi-liquids, so like a yogurt pack or something might be an issue.

Flew a few days ago - same as in June, they handed out water and bags of snacks (mix? pretzels? ) and announced that if you BROUGHT food onboard (and I saw several McD's bags go by) or took them up on what the airline offered, you could remove your mask while you drank & / or ate, but please put it back on as soon as done.
Same in terminal if not at a restaurant table.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

My friend has a bag of cherry tomatoes taken. I guess the liquid content was too much or the guy was being a you know what. Pudding cups also a nogo. Sandwiches etc. all ok.

tomatoes could be interpreted as produce, but yeah someone was being heavy handed!

 

[Dan Murphy]

My go to is a bagel,

Just no garlic, onion or everything.

 

[TLSnell1981]

We've had no issues bringing packaged food through security. Although recently we've purchased meals after passing through security checkpoints. FYI Allow a bit extra time if you need to do this. The lines at most fast food or snack shops are especially long at this time.

 

[mjkacmom]

Just no garlic, onion or everything.

Of course, and don’t forget Asiago cheese bagels, I can’t even be in the same room when DH eats them,

 

[Kitty 34]

I took a Cinnabun or however you spell it on a flight one time and was pretty much stuck to everything within 6 feet of me!

 

[travelmomof3]

Yes, of course, any food is fine. I even bring ice packs and either a lunch box or a little cooler and it's always been fine. Our kids have severe food allergies so we don't risk allowing them to eat the plane food. I also bring a thermos with some items if we have an overseas flight so they can also have a hot breakfast

At TSA we always state we have items due to allergies. They sometimes check our cooler/ice packs/EpiPens, but often times just slide it on through.