Question re food on board and TSA rules on "liquids, gels, etc"

[theparsons]

Ok...our flight is going to be quite long....we leave very early in the morning and arrive around dinner (local time). The plan is to check in, go through security and then find some breakfast in the airport. Expensive, but at least we board with a full tummy. But....after 4 hours of flying the kids and I are going to want more than peanuts and soda! Southwest says they have a "prepackaged snack"....but I'm guessing that's only slightly more substantial than the peanuts....anyone know what this "prepackaged snack" is? They specifically say that they don't serve sandwiches, etc, but that you can bring food onboard.

Ok, so that's the food on board question, lol.....now the TSA rules on liquids and gels......I'm assuming that they'd consider peanut butter and jelly to be part of that liquids/gels, etc. Minimus.biz sells PB in 1 oz packets....so can I bring 3 of those? I guess the question is whether it's 3 oz maximum size package or 3 oz of a single product? Could I fill my quart size plastic bag with a dozen 1 oz packets of PB?

Appears that bringing slices of bread won't be a problem, and try as I might, I haven't broken my daughter of the habit of spreading her PB with her finger, so that's not a problem either, . She'll use a knife to get it out of the big jar and then her finger to spread it on her bread..."it tastes better that way mom".....oh vey!

Anyone else have solutions to the bringing lunch question? I know I can probably buy some overpriced sandwich beyond security, but I tend to dislike the flavor of sandwiches meant to be on display for several days. Ick. Not to mention wondering about that mayo warming up just sitting in the plane for a few hours. Shudder.

It's a 5 hour flight, with a layover of less than an hour, so I really don't want to bank on being able to jump off the plane, grab food, eat and get back on the plane. I'm sure it could be done, but I don't want the stress if I can help it.

DH says the TSA rules are just a conspiracy with the restaurant folks to force you to buy water/food at their high prices.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

SW has a prepackaged meal consisting of crackers and a spread, yogurt or fruit chews and some sort of granola bar and I think cookies. All prepackaged snack stuff in a box. Not really very filling.

You might want to consider Lunchables or premade lunches from your grocery store. They should stay cool enough for your flight. We have done that before. I haven't tried to bring premade PB&J sandwiches throgh security. Maybe you could try those prepackaged Smucker's PB&J sandwiches?

Good luck!

 

[theparsons]

SW has a prepackaged meal consisting of crackers and a spread, yogurt or fruit chews and some sort of granola bar and I think cookies. All prepackaged snack stuff in a box. Not really very filling.

You might want to consider Lunchables or premade lunches from your grocery store. They should stay cool enough for your flight. We have done that before. I haven't tried to bring premade PB&J sandwiches throgh security. Maybe you could try those prepackaged Smucker's PB&J sandwiches?

Good luck!

That's about what I figured their prepackaged snack would be....all sugars and carbs, nothing to fill you up, but plenty to make you hyper just as you have 3 more hours to sit!

I found where to buy the PB in 1/2 ounce sizes....but I'd probably need several of those for each sandwich, but can I bring more than one so long as combined they don't go over the 3oz? Can I bring six half ounce packs that would equal 3oz?

 

[tjmw2727]

Why not just make lunch? You can bring sandwiches even a pb&j, tuna or lunchmeat through security. So you can bring a turkey sandwich with mayo but not a packet of mayo (unless its 3.4 oz or less and in your 3-1-1baggie).

I usually make lunches and bring healthy snacks using frozen carrots and grapes to keep things cold, we also have a nice insulated lunch cooler so that helps as well. Avoid things like applesauce and say jello of course but you can put together a great lunch without liquids and gels

In your case I would stick with your plan to go though security and have breakfast in the airport. Pack a lunch and then purchase water, juice soda etc after security to go with your lunch. You can get beverages from the FA's of course but I prefer having my own so I don't have to wait or hope they have what we like.

TJ

 

[tjmw2727]

That's about what I figured their prepackaged snack would be....all sugars and carbs, nothing to fill you up, but plenty to make you hyper just as you have 3 more hours to sit!

I found where to buy the PB in 1/2 ounce sizes....but I'd probably need several of those for each sandwich, but can I bring more than one so long as combined they don't go over the 3oz? Can I bring six half ounce packs that would equal 3oz?

You can bring as many 3.4 or less products as you like as long as they fit "comfortably" in a one quart ziploc baggie. You can have one baggie per ticketed passenger. By comfortably they mean the TSA should be able to see the contents by glancing at it - if it is overstuffed they will make you remove something. There is no limit to the total number of oz in the bag only on the individual containers - each can be 3.4oz (100ml) or less.

TJ

 

[theparsons]

Why not just make lunch? You can bring sandwiches even a pb&j, tuna or lunchmeat through security. So you can bring a turkey sandwich with mayo but not a packet of mayo (unless its 3.4 oz or less and in your 3-1-1baggie).

I usually make lunches and bring healthy snacks using frozen carrots and grapes to keep things cold, we also have a nice insulated lunch cooler so that helps as well. Avoid things like applesauce and say jello of course but you can put together a great lunch without liquids and gels

In your case I would stick with your plan to go though security and have breakfast in the airport. Pack a lunch and then purchase water, juice soda etc after security to go with your lunch. You can get beverages from the FA's of course but I prefer having my own so I don't have to wait or hope they have what we like.

TJ

My concern was that Jelly for sure, but possibly even Peanut Butter in a sandwich would be considered "liquid".

I never thought of freezing carrots to keep things cool....what a great idea and we love carrots!

I was planning to bring along EMPTY water bottles (the girls have ones with Princesses on them that they want at WDW anyway)....and I figured we'd just put water in them at the bathroom after security. Bringing along those sugar-free Crystal Light flavor things too. Since those are powder not liquid, I figure they're safe. Southwest lists the beverages they have for free, lots of sugar sweet sodas though it does say water as well....but yeah, like you I don't want to wait until they're ready to serve it or running out or whatever.

 

[goofy4tink]

We quite often brought peanut butter sandwiches for the flight. But with the number of peanut sensitive people out there, we have had to find other types of food to bring. Can you imagine what would happen if you got on the plane, with your peanut butter sandwiches, and the FA announced that there is a peanut sensitive person on board, so please do not eat anything with peanuts? Man, you'll be hungry. So, fruits are good, cheese/crackers, luncheon meats/bread. I also like to have a bit of chocolate with me as well.

 

[tjmw2727]

My concern was that Jelly for sure, but possibly even Peanut Butter in a sandwich would be considered "liquid".

I never thought of freezing carrots to keep things cool....what a great idea and we love carrots!

I was planning to bring along EMPTY water bottles (the girls have ones with Princesses on them that they want at WDW anyway)....and I figured we'd just put water in them at the bathroom after security. Bringing along those sugar-free Crystal Light flavor things too. Since those are powder not liquid, I figure they're safe. Southwest lists the beverages they have for free, lots of sugar sweet sodas though it does say water as well....but yeah, like you I don't want to wait until they're ready to serve it or running out or whatever.

No - PB&J sandwich is fine (although maybe not the best choice as the pp pointed out), as is a bagel and cream cheese but not just ceam cheese, get the idea? An empty water bottle is a good idea and the crystal lite type packets are fine as well.

TJ

 

[salmoneous]

Basically just repeating what others have said, but here goes

You can bring PB&J sandwiches.

You can bring as many <3oz containers of PB as will comfortably fit in your 3-1-1 baggies. Remember, you get 1 baggie per person, including the kids.

Empty water bottles and crystalite packages are fine (The TSA folks often look very carefully at empty water bottles to see that they are empty.

The SW snack-packs are junk food.

 

[NHWX]

Peanut butter and jelly definitely count on the gels/liquids rule. I remember reading an article about a Congressman who had his peanut butter confiscated.

We brought nuts, trail mix, banana chips, Kashi granola bars, organic raisins in little boxes and mini Oreos in the 100 calorie bags when we had a long Southwest flight this summer. We just bought large bottles of water once we were within security. If you have a Trader Joe's near you, I'd suggest cruising their snack mix section.

If I remember right, the snack packages were nothing to write home about - Lorna Doone cookies, impossibly sweet dried fruit and Ritz Bitz cheese sandwich crackers, if I remember right. On one flight, they did a redistibution basket - anything you didn't want went back into the basket (obviously untouched) and was shared around with everyone else.

NHWX

 

[tjmw2727]

Peanut butter and jelly definitely count on the gels/liquids rule. I remember reading an article about a Congressman who had his peanut butter confiscated.snipNHWX

Once again -yes, if you bring a container of peanut butter or jelly it needs to meet the 3.4 oz restriction and be in the 3-1-1 ziplock bag. However you can bring a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, as a sandwich is not a liquid or gel

We fly often and always have sandwiches, bagles etc and this often includes a pbj or 2 as well as tuna, bagle & cream cheese etc.

TJ

 

[stahshee]

can you bring the tuna kits?

 

[tjmw2727]

can you bring the tuna kits?

Only if you put the mayo packets in your 3-1-1 ziplock. You would have to take the tuna kit apart to do this. However in the confines of an airplane wouldn't it be easier to bring a tuna sandwich or tuna crackers?

TJ

 

[bavaria]

Can you imagine what would happen if you got on the plane, with your peanut butter sandwiches, and the FA announced that there is a peanut sensitive person on board, so please do not eat anything with peanuts? Man, you'll be hungry. So, fruits are good, cheese/crackers, luncheon meats/bread. I also like to have a bit of chocolate with me as well.

That happened to me. My preclearance status forbids bringing any food in carry on or checked luggage, so I have to rely on the airport; at 6am my airport has little for sale and as I am veggie even less. The only cookies are made with lard, so I opt for a peanut butter granola bar. I usually put several in my laptop case (I can't stand American chocolate so have even less choice)

The courteous flyer with allergies will ensure that the GA makes announcements before the flight. Recently on an 11 hour flying day, no announcement was made until we were airborne. THEN the passenger asked for an announcement to be made. I couldn't eat any of the buy on board, and had only my granola bar and some nuts. (United is peanut free, but so many people with peanut allergies insist that no hot nuts be served in First Class, even if they are far back in Economy)

So while I understand the need for caution for allergies, I always encourage those with such allergies to ENSURE THAT AN ANNOUNCEMENT is made in the GATE AREA, not just on board.

I have health issues too, albeit not as bad as a deadly allergy, but I was in severe pain for hours that day as I couldn't take my required medication.

Until airports offer a greater variety of packaged foods, I will continue to take nuts and granola bars, and hope that people take the responsibility to ensure that their fellow passengers are made aware in advance of any restrictions.

 

[hsmamato2]

a friend had her 4 oz. yogurt confiscated at security...too bad, b/c it makes such a nice snack!
crackers and cheese in small boxes is a good choice- cashews,raisins,granola bars,etc..... even a ham sandwich per person- and buy drinks after security---but the thought of drinking water from the bathroom tap in an airport just skeeves me personally........ they offer soda,juice,water etc on the plane

 

[bavaria]

a friend had her 4 oz. yogurt confiscated at security...too bad, b/c it makes such a nice snack!

no surprise there - even if it was in a quart size bag it violated the 3-1-1 rule