Luggage & Food

[lsutigger2]

Since airline regulations have changed since the first of the year
and DVC members are probably one of the largest populations carrying food in your luggage -

Has anyone had challenges when flying to WDW since 1/1/03?

Curious to know, any info would be appreciated!

 

[Cruelladeville]

I flew at Christmas this year, returning on 1/3. We fly out of a small airport, but I was surprised by how careful they were about the luggage that was checked. After we checked in at the counter, we had to take all the luggage, including the checked luggage, to be scanned. They wouldn't let us near while they were scanning, either. If you had food or anything else beyond clothes in your checked luggage, they opened the luggage and searched it by hand. They searched my purse because I had needlepoint in a bag in the purse. The man in front of me was searched--very carefully--because his jeans zipper beeped. He was quite embarassed because they had to have one of the security people put his hand down the man's pants to check for contraband!! Actually, I found Orlando to be less stringent on rules--for example, my luggage arrived 11 hours before I did(that's a different story), and my daughters found them just laying there against the wall for anyone to pick up, which they did, and brought it to us. By contrast, our local airport, had our luggage under lock and key, and I had to show ID and baggage tickets to get it just one flight later. So it all depends on your local airport, but Michigan seems to be taking the regulations very seriously.

 

[yasuern]

You can send down food to your resort - FEDEX or UPS ground is around $10.00/box(16x24x20ish) depending on were you live just allow 6-7 days for it to arrive - the resort will hold it for you until you arrive.
Also for perishables(or all your groceries) try using Albertsons - if you call them then fax them your order they will have it ready for you at the time and day you want it ready - they are a little more expensive than Publix or Winn-Dixie but well worth it!
Here are some links for FEDEX and UPS
http://www.fedex.com/ratefinder/home?cc=US&language=en
http://www.ups.com/index.html

And here is the phone # for the Albertsons on S orange bloossom trail
Albertson's, Orlando
South Orange Blossom Trail
Telephone: (407) 857-5666
Fax: (407) 857-0132
Hope this helps

 

[Regina]

I had picked up some bags of Christmas candy to bring down, when I saw the warning about not putting chocolate and such in your checked luggage as it sets off the scanners. We split it up among us to carry on.

We also used key rings to secure the zippers instead of locks since they have to be able to access your luggage. What I want to know is, if you use those zip ties and you have to pack scissors in your checked bags, how the heck do you cut them when you get to your destination?? I can see a lot of scrambling around for scissors when people check into their hotels.

I found the screeners to be much more professional than in the past and they were very pleasant, both at Hartford and Orlando. In Orlando, I had my carry-on searched. Naturally, it was the one bag that had every little nook and cranny filled. The screener apologized for getting it all mixed up. (A little bag of pins at the bottom set off the darned machine.)

In Orlando, they have set up a queue line that everyone gets on. There's an agent who asks how many are in your party, and directs you to the next available screening station.

 

[Barb]

Reg, that's just what I had to do when using the zip ties. Once I got to my resort, I had to ask the front desk for scissors. Most times I forgot when I checked in and had to walk back to get them. Then I'd have to walk back to return them.
Now that they are asking you not to lock your luggage (I am not comfortable with leaving my luggage unlocked but I understand the need), I'm not sure what to do. The key ring idea sounds pretty good to me. Thanks!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

If you are staying in a one bedroom or larger, it should be easy to open those zip lock thingies, use a knife.
I don't lock my luggage, never have,( my theory has always been "take it, don't break it). Never have had a problem with unlocked luggage either, guess I have been lucky.
My concern is what to do with the food that is left over after a week at DVC? The mousekeepers have to toss it, and I hate waste!!!! I am going to freeze it and put it in one bag. Since I don't eat chocolate, I don't think that will be a problem. Has anyone come back with food?

 

[justcruisin]

We put a pocket knife in an unlocked outside pocket on our checked luggage.

I've read you cannot put drinks in checked bags any longer, but what about other liquids ... cough medicine, contact lens solution, bug spray ...

Does anyone have the scoop on liquids? Still trying to figure out what it is about chocolate!

 

[SamR]

I don't lock my luggage, never have,( my theory has always been "take it, don't break it).

I've never locked it for reasons of security. Like you, I figure if someone wants to take something, they'll just break the lock or catch. However, until some of the recent security changes, I did always lock everything I could just to prevent catches, zippers, etc. from coming undone and the contents spilling out somewhere. (I have pulled bags off of the conveyor belt before with the zippers half unzipped...I've been fortunate never to lose anything in those cases.)

I'm not using any luggage (hardside) anymore with catches, but I have noticed more and more hardside bags at the baggage carousel with straps around them to help keep them secure.

I like the key ring and zip tie ideas for securing the zippers. I may have to give that a try on our upcoming trip. (If I use zip ties, I'll just throw a pair of my kids' semi-blunt scissors in an outer zipper pocket on one of the bags. They will cut the ties, but are blunt enough to not be in danger of puncturing anything else!)

 

[tn4mickey]

We flew over the holidays (not to WDW unfortunatly) and I was concerned about the chocolate thing too. I had quite a bit packed for gifts. We call the Delta cust. service number and was told it was fine. I think they told my DH the concern is having a large mass that the scanners can't "see" through. Our stuff arrived just fine!

 

[LisaR]

Originally posted by justcruisin

I've read you cannot put drinks in checked bags any longer, but what about other liquids ... cough medicine, contact lens solution, bug spray ...

Where did you read this information? Everything I have read has said that they would like you to refrain from packing food and drinks in your checked luggage. It MAY set off their scanners which may cause delays. Nothing said that it isn't allowed. I also called our airline and was told the same thing. I told them we are packing our kids milk (Kids have major allergies and I have a hard time finding this brand in Orlando). They said it would be just fine. I am packing the milk in a bag with nothing else in there so if they want to search it, it should be quick. I guess I will find out tomorrow when we get to the airport!

Lisa

 

[lsutigger2]

for all the good discussion and ideas. The past two trips we have driven, but are flyingfor our trip in May. Not too concerned about that trip. We're staying in a studio and I'm not bring much if anything in the way of meals. We'll just grocery shop when we get there.

I was really asking info for a trip to DC in March for a conference and we always bring a variety of snacks, and much chocolate! Guess it will go in the carry on, that is still okay isn't it?

About the zip ties, a nail clipper, which I think is okay now to carry will usually cut the plastic.

Can you secure your luggage after it has been cleared? I would hate for it to come unzipped somewhere and all my Mickey Mouse undies to fall out !!

 

[Regina]

I do realize that DVCer's have an advantage with the zip ties since we have kitchens with knives, but, as Barb illustrated, it can be a real problem when you get to your destination.

Yes, they are allowing nail clippers. The problem is, remembering the darned things.

Isutigger, we used curbside check-in, but I don't believe that you see your luggage going through the x-ray machines. I doubt if you would be able to access your luggage after the screening process.

The key rings did exactly what we wanted them to do, they kept the zippers from opening.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I doubt if you would be able to access your luggage after the screening process.

That is correct, once it is screened you cannot access it until you pick it up from the baggage area.

BTW, Reg, where is Hopewell jct? Is it near Cooperstown?