Fruit & Veg search at airport??

[Bert]

The last time we flew into Orlando, there were search dogs smelling luggage for fruit. I was a little frightened when one dog sat by my bag. He found my dried fruit. The agent said that dried fruit was okay. We fly out next week and I would like to pack some salad stuff in my bag.

Does anyone know what the rules are about landing in Orlando with vegetables? Are they also banned, or is it just fruit?

Thanks!

 

[OKW Lover]

It sounds like you are coming in from another country since I've never seen this happen in the regular baggage claim area. If so, the regulation is not specific to Orlando but is a US government regulation. I'd suggest you check with your airline for an indication of where to look for US import restrictions. I'm sure the info is available somewhere at www.US.Gov.

 

[AllyBri]

I'm in and out of MCO all the time and have never seen dogs doing searches.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

My understanding is that the ban is intended to stop nasty bugs & diseases sneaking into the USA from overseas. I believe it applies to fresh fruit, vegetables and meat. There is a list of prohibited products printed on the immigration cards they hand out before landing on international flights.

I have occasionally seen small dogs being walked around the international arrivals areas by security, sniffing bags.

Andrew

 

[bavaria]

My understanding is that the ban is intended to stop nasty bugs & diseases sneaking into the USA from overseas. I believe it applies to fresh fruit, vegetables and meat. There is a list of prohibited products printed on the immigration cards they hand out before landing on international flights.

I have occasionally seen small dogs being walked around the international arrivals areas by security, sniffing bags.

Andrew

That's pretty much the norm when flying internationally. Go check out the UK board - they talk about it quite often. No agricultural products allowed, and if you are caught, you will have a record which could impact future ability to apply for things (When I got my card to preclear Customs/Immigration bwn US and Canada, the man in front of me was denied due to a past immigration violation which stemmed from an agriculture issue)

No fruit, veggies, meat, cheese, etc.

With my preclearance card, they have zero tolerance for ANY food/beverage. That means no mints, no chocolate, no snacks for the flight - in my suitcase or my carryon.

It's not worth trying to bring those things into the country - you can buy them at your destination.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm in and out of MCO all the time and have never seen dogs doing searches.

I have seen dogs sniffing luggage in baggage claim (domestic, not international).

 

[AllyBri]

I have seen dogs sniffing luggage in baggage claim (domestic, not international).

Oh ok, I'm rarely at the baggage claim. Just do a carryon, if anything.

 

[dvc guy]

We fly in and out of MCO and always check luggage, I have never seen the fruit & veggie police. What's next the gum police

 

[Bert]

Thanks for all of the replys. Sorry, I should have noted that I flew in from Michigan! Delta Airlines.

I called MCO today and they assure me that this is only on international flights, so I'm not sure what happened on our 2002 trip. It sounds like we should be okay.

Thanks again.

 

[DebbieB]

We fly in and out of MCO and always check luggage, I have never seen the fruit & veggie police. What's next the gum police

Speaking of, I was shocked that the large WH Smith store near gate 110 does not sell gum! I know WDW does not sell gum on property, but never heard of it at an airport. You always hear you are supposed to chew gum to keep your ears clear when flying.

 

[manning]

We fly in and out of MCO and always check luggage, I have never seen the fruit & veggie police. What's next the gum police

You'd be suprised how fast local crops can be destroyed by uncontrolled pests.

If you have ever flown in/out of hawaii you will have to fill out forms declaring agricultural products brought into the country and when you fly out all your luggage is X-rayed by agriculture Dept. Not spot checked...All.

 

[CarolA]

Sometimes if there is a crisis (think fruitfly) the Florida folks crack down to try to keep the situation under control. That could be what got you.

 

[NotUrsula]

You always hear you are supposed to chew gum to keep your ears clear when flying.

OT, I know, but this is really a myth of sorts. Chewing does nothing to clear your ears. what helps is that you are swallowing the saliva that the gum chewing generates. It's the swallowing that relieves the pressure. Drinking from a bottle of water will accomplish the same thing much more efficiently, and also keep you hydrated.

It doesn't surprise me at all that an airport would not sell chewing gum. I can easily see people waiting for flights going through multiple sticks of the stuff and leaving it all over the gate-area benches and floors.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

It doesn't surprise me at all that an airport would not sell chewing gum. I can easily see people waiting for flights going through multiple sticks of the stuff and leaving it all over the gate-area benches and floors.

I use a wheelchair. Anything that gets on my wheels is in my hand half a turn later.

Chewing gum is the second worse thing I can roll through!!

Andrew