Taking food through airport security

[crashbb]

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.

CATSA (Canadian airports) also exempts saline solution.

But yes, definitely check the rules for the country you are flying out of.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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

I am in my original, (relatively) unopened package - and where it was opened, it's been resealed.

 

[crashbb]

I am in my original, (relatively) unopened package - and where it was opened, it's been resealed.

Sorry, not good enough. Apparently the never opened bit is VERY important and cannot be gotten around by mere resealing.

 

[clh2]

I am glad I took a look at this thread... Flying tomorrow night, and would have most definitely not considered toothpaste into the 3-1-1 rule. Will need to pick some up tomorrow. Don't think it will be possible to pick some up at our destination - we land at 10pm, and are not getting a rental car until the morning.

 

[pigletgirl]

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

No it isn't. It still applies to the 3-1-1 rule. If you look at the travel size bottles then, they're like 2.9oz. If you need to take a bigger size, it needs to be checked.

 

[msjprincess]

No it isn't. It still applies to the 3-1-1 rule. If you look at the travel size bottles then, they're like 2.9oz. If you need to take a bigger size, it needs to be checked.

That's not true

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

You may bring all prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including petroleum jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes.

Additional items you may bring include:

Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition;
Life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs;
Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and,
Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medically related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions.

You are not limited in the amount or volume of these items you may bring in your carry-on baggage. BUT if the medically necessary items exceed 3 ounces or are not contained in a one-quart, zip-top plastic bag, you MUST declare to one of our Security Officers at the checkpoint for further inspection.

 

[pigletgirl]

That's not true

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

Well I can tell you, when I went thru security the last few times I've flown, they threw away my 10oz bottle of contact saline. They didn't consider it a medicinal purpose, but if I had perscription eye drops I would of been fine. I declared it as well.

All I say is better safe than sorry.

 

[laurie31]

Well I can tell you, when I went thru security the last few times I've flown, they threw away my 10oz bottle of contact saline. They didn't consider it a medicinal purpose, but if I had perscription eye drops I would of been fine. I declared it as well.

All I say is better safe than sorry.

I would have calmly and politely requested a supervisor. Their own policy allows this. What would have happened if you had needed the saline during the flight? I would not have gotten on a plane without saline. The air is too dry.

We printed out the policy to bring with us when we have brought larger containers through security. One guy was very rude, saying we should have brought smaller containers. Another time, it was no problem, but they tested it with the paper. It didn't take long.

Our solution now comes in smaller containers, so we just bring a separate baggie with the small solutions and saline and declare it. That way, we don't waste our 3-1-1 space with our contact solutions, and the TSA is happy, since it's all in less than 3 oz containers.

 

[bellanotte10]

No it isn't. It still applies to the 3-1-1 rule. If you look at the travel size bottles then, they're like 2.9oz. If you need to take a bigger size, it needs to be checked.

"All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including lubricating jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes are permitted. You are not limited in the amount or volume of these items you may bring in your carry-on baggage. BUT if the medically necessary items exceed three ounces or are not contained in a one-quart, zip-top plastic bag, you MUST declare to one of the security officers at the checkpoint for further inspection."

from my contact solution's website

 

[kaytieeldr]

Sorry, not good enough. Apparently the never opened bit is VERY important and cannot be gotten around by mere resealing.

Not even permanently resealed? Like with stitches, and the skin has healed itself (as healthy skin is wont to do after an injury, albeit sometimes with help)?

So, how do I undo all those times I passed through security - whether with no glitch, or wandings, or the dreaded but harmless pat-downs?

 

[ChristmasElf]

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

No it is not. I was in line just last week and the lady in front of me had a 4 oz bottle of solution, claimed it was a trial size and TSA told her no it had to be tossed. She was pretty p.o'd.

 

[LisaR]

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'm guessing you could survey a million people and ask them to name the top 50 "liquid-like foods" and you would be the only one to include "a sandwich with deli meat."

 

[Jennasis]

Saturday Night Live did a TSA skit a few years ago with Dane Cook and Jason Sudeikis as agents training new TSA agents (all of whom were of less than average intelligence). And they were asking the newbies to give examples of liquids that would not be allowed on a plane...among the things the idiots offered up:

Meatballs
Toof paste
Turkey....as in DELI turkey. And then the idiot agents proceeded to argue that the turkey could be really wet/moist. And then what if there's MUSTARD on it??

 

[Green Tea]

I'm guessing you could survey a million people and ask them to name the top 50 "liquid-like foods" and you would be the only one to include "a sandwich with deli meat."

If if it were a particularly moist piece of lunch meat, it would fit in the quart size zip lock bag. Hungry flyers everywhere, unite!

 

[Jestocost]

No it is not. I was in line just last week and the lady in front of me had a 4 oz bottle of solution, claimed it was a trial size and TSA told her no it had to be tossed. She was pretty p.o'd.

The problem is that practices and interpretations can vary from airport to airport and even by individual screener. The TSA site is pretty clear about saline solution, but as this thread demonstrates it's not uncommon for people to have problems getting a bottle of the stuff larger than 3.4 oz. past the screeners.

You can print out a copy of the Web page, ask for a supervisor, etc. IMO what you need to decide in advance is how much of an issue you are willing to make of it and act accordingly. If it's worth it to you to spend an extra 30 minutes at security until you can be proven right (recognizing that the ultimate supervisor may have the wrong interpretation of the rules and you might never be proven right in some instances), then by all means do so. If it's not, then just be ready to toss your saline solution if it comes to that.

 

[CPT Tripss]

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

The problem is that practices and interpretations can vary from airport to airport and even by individual screener. The TSA site is pretty clear about saline solution, but as this thread demonstrates it's not uncommon for people to have problems getting a bottle of the stuff larger than 3.4 oz. past the screeners.

You can print out a copy of the Web page, ask for a supervisor, etc. IMO what you need to decide in advance is how much of an issue you are willing to make of it and act accordingly. If it's worth it to you to spend an extra 30 minutes at security until you can be proven right (recognizing that the ultimate supervisor may have the wrong interpretation of the rules and you might never be proven right in some instances), then by all means do so. If it's not, then just be ready to toss your saline solution if it comes to that.

There's the problem, Airport Security Screeners (with the aid of their supervisors) make up rules to suit themselves rather than learn and follow all the rules and procedures that are promulgated in HQ. Is it any wonder that passengers are forced to do research and the attempt to educate the Airport Security Screeners?

The best example of food nonsense was DW being required to give up her little packet of cream cheese for her bagal . . . as the line was short, she left the line, spread the cream cheese on the bagal and then was passed through. Make sense of that one!

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.

Have you never encountered a hungry Airport Security Screener? One of these types will require you to "voluntarily surrender" anything edible which might taste good in order to fly.

 

[fraggle551]

Not exactly related but...does anyone know about babywipes in your carryon bag? I am leaving tomorrow morning and want to know if I can take them with me on the plane or not. Thanks!

 

[laurie31]

There's the problem, Airport Security Screeners (with the aid of their supervisors) make up rules to suit themselves rather than learn and follow all the rules and procedures that are promulgated in HQ. Is it any wonder that passengers are forced to do research and the attempt to educate the Airport Security Screeners?

The best example of food nonsense was DW being required to give up her little packet of cream cheese for her bagal . . . as the line was short, she left the line, spread the cream cheese on the bagal and then was passed through. Make sense of that one!

Exactly!! They can't even seem to follow the standard policies that are on their own website, plus they make up stuff.

We just flew last week. We carried only 3oz contact solution, so no problem there, but we got yelled at for...are you ready...having all 4 of our 3-1-1 bags in one bin.

They said we should only put one pair of shoes and one baggie in a bin.

Good gosh, we have flown a total of 15 times since the 3-1-1 thing started and have never been told THAT before. We were just trying to be efficient and not use a ton of bins, as a courtesy to the people behind us. Whatever. When we flew home, we separated everything out, but didn't notice whether anyone else did or not.

I just wish the rules wouldn't change every time we fly. We try very hard to do what they want, but it's like they TRY to find something you're doing wrong.

(and I really don't think the "only one person's stuff per bin" is an actual rule. It just was for that one guy on that one date in that one airport. The lack of consistency is abhorrent.)

 

[crashbb]

Not exactly related but...does anyone know about babywipes in your carryon bag? I am leaving tomorrow morning and want to know if I can take them with me on the plane or not. Thanks!

Those are fine. Have a good flight.

 

[pigletgirl]

The problem is that practices and interpretations can vary from airport to airport and even by individual screener. The TSA site is pretty clear about saline solution, but as this thread demonstrates it's not uncommon for people to have problems getting a bottle of the stuff larger than 3.4 oz. past the screeners.

You can print out a copy of the Web page, ask for a supervisor, etc. IMO what you need to decide in advance is how much of an issue you are willing to make of it and act accordingly. If it's worth it to you to spend an extra 30 minutes at security until you can be proven right (recognizing that the ultimate supervisor may have the wrong interpretation of the rules and you might never be proven right in some instances), then by all means do so. If it's not, then just be ready to toss your saline solution if it comes to that.

I have noticed it has varied from airport to airport. It just is all really silly. Why can't it be the same everywhere? Why do these TSA agents feel like they can bend the rules, or modify them, instead of just going by what the government says?