Taking food through airport security

[shinysparklybubbles]

Just a tip if you are water drinkers...Brita now makes a bottle with a built-in filter. You can take it through security empty and then fill it on the other side. It has saved me a small fortune in post-security water purchases.

I just got a 3 pack of 20 oz bottles at Sam's, comes with 6 filters $21

 

[bellanotte10]

Funny thing is I saw a guy in the airport in Houston about a month ago with a large plastic bottle of tea, when I asked him where he got it because I was going to get some too, he said he brought it from home. Apparently he froze the bottle and it was a huge chunk of ice when he started his trip but because it was a solid and not a liquid they let him pass through... he claimed it did it all the time and only once in a while did he have to ask the TSA to get a supervisor so he could argue the point that it wasn't a liquid.... I haven't yet tried it but I'm wondering if anyone else has?

i wouldn't try it. esp if you put it in a container you like and they find it. Knowing my luck they would. I've had toothpaste and water bottles confiscated from my bag when I didn't realize i put them in there. It would be my dumb luck they'd take it away. Cuz the question is, how was he drinking it if it was frozen solid? It must've started melting while he was going through security, so how would they not have caught it? i dunno, it just seems weird to me.

best security stories though was when I had my toothpaste taken. Guy asked me while throwing it into the bio hazard trash "oh... did you need that?" now i don't...

another was flying out of Boston to Iowa and someone thought my friend was wearing a chain. He is the NERDIEST guy i know, and has never worn a chain, and I don't know how they got that, but they almost made him take his pants off to prove it. so awkward.

 

[msjprincess]

You're joking, right? I hope so, but I'll play along. Water is a liquid (we learned that in elementary school, or through life's observations). There is water in deli meat and deli meat, is unlike crackers which contain a negligible amount of water. Often people also have lettuce, cheese, sauce, or other vegetables on sandwiches. These items also contain a significant amount water. Ever cook down a tomato until it no long steams? I have, it's microscopic relative to it's original size. They are therefore, more liquid-like than say, chips.

It took 0.2 seconds of googling to find, btw.

Obviously, and unfortunately, some TSAs are more lax about screening which is how you've been able to get through. I wouldn't expect it at every airport, especially you, OP.

You can't be serious.

Humans are 70% water

 

[crashbb]

You can't be serious.

Humans are 70% water

Looks like none of us can pass through security then. Or can we if we are wrapped in an unopened, original package?

 

[SaraJayne]

You're joking, right? I hope so, but I'll play along. Water is a liquid (we learned that in elementary school, or through life's observations). There is water in deli meat and deli meat, is unlike crackers which contain a negligible amount of water. Often people also have lettuce, cheese, sauce, or other vegetables on sandwiches. These items also contain a significant amount water. Ever cook down a tomato until it no long steams? I have, it's microscopic relative to it's original size. They are therefore, more liquid-like than say, chips.

It took 0.2 seconds of googling to find, btw.

Obviously, and unfortunately, some TSAs are more lax about screening which is how you've been able to get through. I wouldn't expect it at every airport, especially you, OP.

You're joking, right?

 

[bgirldeb]

 

[bellanotte10]

Looks like none of us can pass through security then. Or can we if we are wrapped in an unopened, original package?

haha I can just picture us all going through security in some human sized doll packaging now. oh that is amusing.

 

[Nette]

I have never had any trouble taking cut up fruit in baggies (or reusable containers) or crackers and cheese through security. Much better for you than the crap you can buy on the other side.

And I've heard other instances of the frozen drink passing though security. One was a little old lady with frozen spaghetti sauce.

The whole thing is ridiculous anyway. What's to stop a person from putting explosives in 3 oz containers and filling a whole bag? What's to stop a person from bringing NON-liquid explosives? And people, you're allowed to take water or formula or breast milk for your baby through security in larger quantities than 3oz. And with breast milk, you don't even have to have the baby with you.

 

[SaraJayne]

I have never had any trouble taking cut up fruit in baggies (or reusable containers) or crackers and cheese through security. Much better for you than the crap you can buy on the other side.

And I've heard other instances of the frozen drink passing though security. One was a little old lady with frozen spaghetti sauce.

The whole thing is ridiculous anyway. What's to stop a person from putting explosives in 3 oz containers and filling a whole bag? What's to stop a person from bringing NON-liquid explosives? And people, you're allowed to take water or formula or breast milk for your baby through security in larger quantities than 3oz. And with breast milk, you don't even have to have the baby with you.

Contact lens solution is exempt from the 3oz rule, too.

 

[bellanotte10]

Contact lens solution is exempt from the 3oz rule, too.

is it really? I didn't know that... now i wish i did...

 

[crashbb]

is it really? I didn't know that... now i wish i did...

It falls under a medical exception.

 

[SaraJayne]

is it really? I didn't know that... now i wish i did...

If you have more than 3 oz, you have to declare it to a TSA person, so they can inspect it.

I always carry travel sized saline with me, so it isn't an issue, but if you need a larger amount, you're allowed to take it through security.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1059.shtm

 

[TDC Nala]

You can't be serious.

Humans are 70% water

This is like that Star Trek episode where the aliens had the death ray that drained all the water out of humans so they were just a handful of crystalline powder. Maybe we need one of those to get through airport security.

Really, I don't think even the most by the book TSA agent will confiscate your roast beef sandwich because of the water content of the beef and tomato.

 

[John VN]

No answer regarding what is allowed but will mention PLEASE don't bring something on the plane that has an overpowering odor to it. You might not find it objectionable but MANY OTHERS on the plane might.

This happened to me recently on a flight from Austin to Tampa. Thought I would have to use THE BAG after the gentleman opened the container and he was on the opposite side of the plane 3 rows up from me.

 

[doxdogy]

You can bring liquid-like food, like a sandwich with lots of deli meat, or a thing of macaroni and cheese, as long as it's wrapped in it's original wrapping and it has not been opened. That last part is key. I'm not sure how this applies to home-made stuff, it's probably just the same. But you can stop by Panera and get a sandwich and a macaroni and cheese, don't open them, and you can take them with you.

You still obviously can't bring something like soup.

Seriously? Deli meat a "liquid like" food? It contains water and if you heat it too high temps, I doubt it will become a liquid.

 

[Green Tea]

You're joking, right? I hope so, but I'll play along. Water is a liquid (we learned that in elementary school, or through life's observations). There is water in deli meat and deli meat, is unlike crackers which contain a negligible amount of water. Often people also have lettuce, cheese, sauce, or other vegetables on sandwiches. These items also contain a significant amount water. Ever cook down a tomato until it no long steams? I have, it's microscopic relative to it's original size. They are therefore, more liquid-like than say, chips.

It took 0.2 seconds of googling to find, btw.

Obviously, and unfortunately, some TSAs are more lax about screening which is how you've been able to get through. I wouldn't expect it at every airport, especially you, OP.

I have NEVER seen a TSA agent confiscating deli meat or its associated lettuce at the check point. Ever. By your definitions, how do we get through? Didn't we learn in grade school we are a large percent water?

 

[Green Tea]

is it really? I didn't know that... now i wish i did...

It is, but I found it was a pain in the a$$ to do. They pulled and it and readily admitted it was allowed. But then put it through the scanner a few times. Then took it aside and opened to it put drops on some test paper. They gave it back and I went on my way but I bought a little bottle again the next trip. The time to scrutinize just wasn't worth being right.

 

[msjprincess]

It is, but I found it was a pain in the a$$ to do. They pulled and it and readily admitted it was allowed. But then put it through the scanner a few times. Then took it aside and opened to it put drops on some test paper. They gave it back and I went on my way but I bought a little bottle again the next trip. The time to scrutinize just wasn't worth being right.

Same thing happened to me. I had to wait for someone to get the paper. i kept telling them to forget it and throw it out. It was too much of a hassle.

 

[Green Tea]

No answer regarding what is allowed but will mention PLEASE don't bring something on the plane that has an overpowering odor to it. You might not find it objectionable but MANY OTHERS on the plane might.

This happened to me recently on a flight from Austin to Tampa. Thought I would have to use THE BAG after the gentleman opened the container and he was on the opposite side of the plane 3 rows up from me.

Thank you!!! Really, spicy curries are not likely the best thing to bring. Lots of onions on sandwiches? Again, they smell. I wish I could identify some of the other things I've smelled.

 

[surfgirl]

Contact lens solution is exempt from the 3oz rule, too.

Only when TSA is providing security for the flight - ie. US flights.

I've had contact lens solution confiscated from me in Heathrow (London). I was bummed and annoyed at myself that I hadn't anticipated that. I've learned to check my bigger bottle (if checking) or carry on multiple small ones (if doing carry on only). The solution I use isn't readily available.