Warning for those traveling with Formula

[DISNEYFOS]

I wanted to relay our experience in the Orlando International airport to give a heads up to those of you traveling with infants who need ready to feed Formula. We brought our Formula from home. DD needs Alimentum Hypoallergenic formula. The parks do not carry it in the baby centers. (and come to find out Garden Grocer wasn't able to come thru for us)

On our trip down from Boston we had no troubles. We packed 32 oz bottles and about 4 shrink wrapped packages of12- 4 oz ready to feed bottles. 1 package of 12 was in DH backpack with a few loose bottles in my diaper bag. Our reasoning was if luggage got lost we would have a days worth of formula to give us time to get more.

We announced we had formula to the TSA agents. They made no comments. We passed thru security with no issues.

On the way home it was a different story. Again we had a package of 12-4oz bottles in DHs backpack. DD drinks 6 oz per feeding so we waste 2 oz every feeding...so it was about 1 days worth of formula. We announced to the TSA agent that we had formula. They start going thru our bags. The agent states it is an excessive amount for our 3 hour flight. I state the extra amount is for the unexpected..i.e. flight delays, cancellations or even flight diversions due to the Hurricane currently making its way up the coast. This formula is not readily available and it is all she eats. She can't eat the regular milk based stuff. He starts to tell his counterpart to count out 4 bottles. enough for two feedings. WHAT!! At this point I really start to freak out. I said what if the flight is delayed, which is the most likely scenario, how will I feed my baby. He said He will keep it with him behind the counter!! Oh My God...I said I don't know you from a hole in the wall and I'm going to give you my baby's formula to hold on to..ARE YOU KIDDING ME! My husband asks to speak to a supervisor...he tells me he's it. We went back and forth for a good 30 mins. lots of attention from other travelers. I was beside myself. Finally another agent who looks like he's been supervising..nods his head..and they let us go with our formula. He actually thought I should be grateful or something.

It was completely upsetting. I was a nervous wreck from the whole experience...my DD 4 kept asking why was that man trying to take the baby's food. Unbelievable. I did ask the guy if he had kids..cause he just didn't understand why we would need/want extra formula. He said no but he sees a lot of them working in Orlando...huh?

I am all on board about safety and extra screening but this was a bit out of control. The FAA regulations are vague about the amount of formula...but I don't believe having a days worth would be considered excessive. I filled out a complaint to the TSA in MCO. If the security is going to work they have to figure out what their objectives are. Is it to stop people from have liquid on a flight or is it to keep people safe..if its the latter they have to be able to be somewhat subjective?

Sorry for the long winded story. Just wanted to give a heads up.

 

[DVCLiz]

Wow, that would have been scary for me, too!!!!

Slightly OT, but last month I flew to Orlando. I got to my hometown airport too late to check my bags, so I had to take them through security. They let me take three pairs of sharp needlepoint scissors, but confiscated my shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and two bottles of expensive bubble bath I got at Basin in DTD on my last WDW trip.

So I could have easily stabbed out the eyes of both the pilot and the co-pilot with my scissors, but they were safe from me if I had wanted to improve their hygiene....

 

[DISNEYFOS]

They let me take three pairs of sharp needlepoint scissors, but confiscated my shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and two bottles of expensive bubble bath I got at Basin in DTD on my last WDW trip.

So I could have easily stabbed out the eyes of both the pilot and the co-pilot with my scissors, but they were safe from me if I had wanted to improve their hygiene....

Seriously, These guys they hire really need to be capable of independant thought. The agent kept telling Maam, someone tried to blow up a plane with liquid explosive...I'm like "was it baby formula, cause that is what you are looking at!!" argghh.

 

[laughinplace199]

Wow, sorry to hear that they gave you such a hard time about the formula. We've been to WDW twice with DS (who is on Nutramigen) and we've never had any issues either in Boston or Orlando. You'd think the TSA agents would understand that you have to plan for delays, flight cancellations, etc.

On each flight, I had 4 nursette bottles in my bag, which is about 24 hours worth for DS. I also brought a small can of powder and a couple of empty bottles, just in case. I had the week's worth of formula shipped right from Enfamil to the resort, so I didn't have to worry about bringing a lot of formula down with me. Thanks for the heads up. If DS is still on formula by our next trip, at least I will be prepared, knowing that I might run into a clueless TSA agent.

I hope you had a fun trip!

 

[Schmeck]

Wow, that would have been scary for me, too!!!!

Slightly OT, but last month I flew to Orlando. I got to my hometown airport too late to check my bags, so I had to take them through security. They let me take three pairs of sharp needlepoint scissors, but confiscated my shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and two bottles of expensive bubble bath I got at Basin in DTD on my last WDW trip.

So I could have easily stabbed out the eyes of both the pilot and the co-pilot with my scissors, but they were safe from me if I had wanted to improve their hygiene....

Of course you are just joking - and know that terrorists were planning on smuggling liquid explosives on flights, and that's why your containers were not allowed on board. The cabin doors on the planes have been reinforced so you can't get to the pilots, BTW

 

[DISNEYFOS]

Of course you are just joking - and know that terrorists were planning on smuggling liquid explosives on flights, and that's why your containers were not allowed on board. The cabin doors on the planes have been reinforced so you can't get to the pilots, BTW

I believe the point is we need to be a little more intelligent about it. We can't dumb things down just to make it easier for us. NO to liquids more than 3 oz, is easy to understand, therefore we make it a rule. We don't need to hire intelligent TSA agents because anyone can follow a rule that simple. Meanwhile we allow what could be considered very dangerous weapons on board (sharp scissors) and keep an infant from eating.

not very smart..wouldn't you agree.

 

[Nom]

Of course you are just joking - and know that terrorists were planning on smuggling liquid explosives on flights, and that's why your containers were not allowed on board.

Actually, the most infuriating part of this whole ban on liquids in flight is that it is a total overreaction to incorrect intelligence... and now families like the OP's have to pay the price!

For more info on the 'terrorist liquid explosive plot' and what it really was all about, check out this great story by a pilot who now writes for Salon:

In an Aug. 28th article in the New York Times, senior British officials admitted that public statements made following the arrest of suspects plotting to destroy airliners using liquid explosives were overcooked, inaccurate and "unfortunate." Revelations in the nearly 3,000-word story are startlingly out of sync with the doomsday rhetoric we promptly heard, and continue to hear, from the media and government. We learn the conspirators had been known to law enforcement officials for at least a year, and were under round-the-clock surveillance for quite some time. The plot's leaders were still in the process of recruiting and radicalizing would-be bombers. They lacked passports and airline tickets and, most critical of all, they had been thus far unsuccessful in producing liquid explosives.

Here's another awesome quote- it's long, but it perfectly encapsulates the problems with this liquid ban. (I bolded some important points)

...the threat of liquid explosives does exist, but it cannot be readily brewed from the kinds of liquids we have devoted most of our attention and resources to keeping away from airplanes. Certain benign liquids, when combined under highly specific conditions, are indeed dangerous. However, creating those conditions poses enormous challenges for a saboteur.

"The notion that deadly explosives can be cooked up in an airplane lavatory is pure fiction," Greene tells Salon. "A handy gimmick for action movies and shows like '24.' The reality proves disappointing: It's rather awkward to do chemistry in an airplane toilet. Nevertheless, our official protectors and deciders respond to such notions instinctively because they're familiar to us: We've all seen scenarios on television and in the cinema. This, incredibly, is why you can no longer carry a bottle of water onto a plane."

"I would not hesitate to allow that liquid explosives can pose a danger," Greene adds, recalling Ramzi Yousef's 1994 detonation of a small amount of nitroglycerin on Philippine Airlines Flight 434. One passenger was killed and a hole blown in the plane. "But the idea that confiscating someone's toothpaste is going to keep us safe is too ridiculous to entertain."

...

Thwarting terror attacks is not, and never has been, the responsibility of airport screeners. It's the job of law enforcement and intelligence professionals. In the meantime, if you're going to have a large-scale security apparatus at airports, for heaven's sake let it be trained and equipped with some common sense in mind.

For the whole article, click here:

http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2006/09/15/askthepilot201/

 

[NotUrsula]

ITA. An article that I read in a trade journal for scientists outlined the apparatus and conditions needed to create the chemical the London bombers were supposedly planning to make. Among other things, in those conditions it apparently needs to be processed in an ice bath, stirred continuously, and mixed one drop at a time; they estimated it would take 12 hours of continuous work to brew enough to bring down a large plane. Can't you just see two guys ringing the call button asking the FA to bring ice to the lav for 12 hours?

Now if you are talking about real liquid explosives, like gasoline or nitroglycerine, there *is* a danger, but you would have to bring them through the checkpoint already made up, so an explosive detection system would stop them. You can't disguise something like that as baby formula, because a swab test or a dog would give it away.

I've always carried 24 hours worth of baby supplies, and I'm not about to stop. I've been challenged, but I've been able to stop the questions about amount by politely asking "Can you personally GUARANTEE in writing that our flight won't sit on the runway for several hours, here or at our destination?" They have always had to admit that though they were "sure" that baby supplies were available in the terminal, that they might not be if we got stranded on a grounded plane.

 

[blizzard]

I know it's too late for you now, but maybe this tip might help others.

If your baby only eats a certain, difficult to obtain, formula, I would suggest you bring a letter from your doctor that indicates just that. With a letter from the doctor, they will more readily let you through with a greater amount. With a letter, it makes it the equivalent to a prescription which exempts it from the amount limits. (I realize that there is no specified limit for baby formula, but someone that doesn't realize that some formulas are difficult to obtain at your destination, could see a day's worth as excessive. A letter relieves them of that judgment call)

 

[Trena]

WOW! I'm so sorry that happened to you. I would have gone into panic mode!

 

[thepeach80]

I would have been royally POed! Ilana is on Neocate, a rx formula and not something I can mess w/ when leaving town etc. We took like 7 cans of formula w/ us for a week's vacation, 3 of those came on the plane in case my luggage got lost etc. No one batted an eye. The first people didn't even care I carried on sealed bottles of water to make her formula w/. Coming back was different (not out of Orlando). They would not let me take my bottled water on and made me make her bottle and then dump the rest. I was NOT happy and I let them know it.

 

[llachance]

badly cut his arm a few weeks back and right before he made his trip to Orlando last week the doctor removed the 30 Stiches. He gave him a prescription for Hydrogen Pyroxide so that he could continue to clean it and make sure it didn't get infected. Left San Jose with no problems, through DFW no problems and got to Orlando. Spent 3 days there at a conference. Got in line to come home and TSA would not let the bottle through. Small bottle with prescription label on it and they said too bad! So having a prescription won't always work.

 

[BayouMouseketeer]

Wow! Unbelievable! My DS8 is on Pediasure for medical reasons and I always carry extras with me for the reasons you described. I even have a letter from hisped stating the medical necessity. I have never even been questioned about it and they have never asked for the letter! Oddly, however, when we flew into Boston last year, they questioned a travel size roll of Charmin I had in my backpack.

 

[rt2dz]

Formula isn't our issue, but my second DS has a ton or respiratory issues that requires ton of medications. And then a gazillon food allergies. These are life threatening situations for him. The hassles airports give, even if randomly, is why we drive. It's just so much easier. I don't have to worry about lost anything or limits on board. I don't care if it's a 24 hour drive with three small kids, it's way less of a hassle and much easier on my family.

OP--so sorry. Formula shouldn't be limited because you don't know what will happen ever.

 

[smylie1]

Of course you are just joking - and know that terrorists were planning on smuggling liquid explosives on flights, and that's why your containers were not allowed on board. The cabin doors on the planes have been reinforced so you can't get to the pilots, BTW

 

[mpls_mm]

I went through Detroit last week and they confiscated my Maybelline great lash mascara with quite a bit of ceremony. They were able to keep the skies safe for one more day. They had attitude with me about even trying to slip that one by...

 

[grlpwrd]

I wanted to relay our experience in the Orlando International airport to give a heads up to those of you traveling with infants who need ready to feed Formula. We brought our Formula from home. DD needs Alimentum Hypoallergenic formula. The parks do not carry it in the baby centers. (and come to find out Garden Grocer wasn't able to come thru for us)

On our trip down from Boston we had no troubles. We packed 32 oz bottles and about 4 shrink wrapped packages of12- 4 oz ready to feed bottles. 1 package of 12 was in DH backpack with a few loose bottles in my diaper bag. Our reasoning was if luggage got lost we would have a days worth of formula to give us time to get more.

We announced we had formula to the TSA agents. They made no comments. We passed thru security with no issues.

On the way home it was a different story. Again we had a package of 12-4oz bottles in DHs backpack. DD drinks 6 oz per feeding so we waste 2 oz every feeding...so it was about 1 days worth of formula. We announced to the TSA agent that we had formula. They start going thru our bags. The agent states it is an excessive amount for our 3 hour flight. I state the extra amount is for the unexpected..i.e. flight delays, cancellations or even flight diversions due to the Hurricane currently making its way up the coast. This formula is not readily available and it is all she eats. She can't eat the regular milk based stuff. He starts to tell his counterpart to count out 4 bottles. enough for two feedings. WHAT!! At this point I really start to freak out. I said what if the flight is delayed, which is the most likely scenario, how will I feed my baby. He said He will keep it with him behind the counter!! Oh My God...I said I don't know you from a hole in the wall and I'm going to give you my baby's formula to hold on to..ARE YOU KIDDING ME! My husband asks to speak to a supervisor...he tells me he's it. We went back and forth for a good 30 mins. lots of attention from other travelers. I was beside myself. Finally another agent who looks like he's been supervising..nods his head..and they let us go with our formula. He actually thought I should be grateful or something.

It was completely upsetting. I was a nervous wreck from the whole experience...my DD 4 kept asking why was that man trying to take the baby's food. Unbelievable. I did ask the guy if he had kids..cause he just didn't understand why we would need/want extra formula. He said no but he sees a lot of them working in Orlando...huh?

I am all on board about safety and extra screening but this was a bit out of control. The FAA regulations are vague about the amount of formula...but I don't believe having a days worth would be considered excessive. I filled out a complaint to the TSA in MCO. If the security is going to work they have to figure out what their objectives are. Is it to stop people from have liquid on a flight or is it to keep people safe..if its the latter they have to be able to be somewhat subjective?

Sorry for the long winded story. Just wanted to give a heads up.

I am sorry to hear of you experience.

My dh was arrested and detained last year in December at the Baltimore airport. We have heard from friends and family of some TSA agents not exactly being consistent so what you say is really no surprise, unfortunately.

After spending over $3000 in attorney fees and all the other trouble, my dh and I have agreed that this is the price of living in these days of terrorism. I know - it sucks. I would like to say they are just doing their jobs, but sometimes...come on, at least have some common sense, people. lol j/k

For your situation, I think you really should contact the TSA Contact Center: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/editorial_1029.shtm Let them know what happened and give it to them good. lol

 

[smylie1]

I went through Detroit last week and they confiscated my Maybelline great lash mascara with quite a bit of ceremony. They were able to keep the skies safe for one more day. They had attitude with me about even trying to slip that one by...

NOOOO! Not that! I LOVE me some Maybelline Great Lash! There is no other mascara like it in any price range! Sorry...went OT.

 

[ahilly]

we were flying out of MCO and as we entered security a TSA agent was telling everyone that you could not have liquids etc. So as we were getting out our 2 water bottles to dump, she told us that we could empty them into our sippy cups to go through security, but we already had milk in the sippys. I found it strange that we could not take an unopened bottle of water through but we could put it into a sippy cup and go through w/no problem.

 

[mommytodarlings]

I had the same thing happen to me.

We went through security at the Buffalo airport with baby bottles filled with pre-boiled water and powdered formula with no questions.

However, it was a completely different story at MCO. Security scanned the bag and then she asked someone to check it. The guy pulled out the bottles of water and said we weren't allowed to carry liquid on the aircraft. I said it was to make formula. He basically said "too bad ma'am".

Dh and 3 of our dks were already through and putting on their shoes. I was standing holding an infant. He called his supervisor and she said "nope, you can't take it. These is no way she needs 3 bottles."

I explained we had a layover, and she is 6 weeks old and eating is quite irregular. We went back and forth for a while and then she finally let me go.

I couldn't believe the difference in the 2 airports. I think some people let their "authority" go to their heads.