Sorry Jeff - you are making a common mistake confusing the ounce of weight (density) with the fluid weight (volume).

1 pound does equal 16 ounces but that's weight not volume. Unless you know the density of the ingedient (in this case peanut butter), there is no standard cnversion between weight and volume.

>another thing to consider - even IF you can get enough PB into the ziplock(s) - it might be confiscated on the plane or in the departure lounge. If anyone on the flight identifies themselves at peanut allergic - then no peanut products will be allowed near that traveler.

Some airlines will create buffer zones around allergic passengers and prohibit peanuts in that area. But I don't think they have the right to confiscate peanuts...they will just rearrange the seating if someone insists on their peanuts.

Since the subject of this thread is peanut butter, I stick by what I said: One pound of peanut butter = 16 ounces of peanut butter. It's measured in weight, so we're not converting between weight and volume. Fluid ounces don't apply.

I get what you're saying, but it's not at issue here. The TSA would look at a four-ounce container of peanut butter and say "It is over three ounces." They're not doing density calculations to determine if it would fit into a three-ounce liquid bottle. :)

Jeff - we are essentially "on the same page". A container that holds 3 liquid ounces could, depending on the density, hold more or less than 3 ounces (by weight) of peanut butter. You are correct in that the TSA would enforce it's rules based on the volume size of the container not it's weight thus they would look at the size of the container not its weight.

Since OP said she "measured out 3oz of PB at the grocery store yesterday" I was merely trying to clarify to OP that 3 oz of peanut butter by weight is not the same a 3 oz of liquid.

They are going to check a bag. Problem solved! :-)

"<i>Some airlines will create buffer zones around allergic passengers and prohibit peanuts in that area. But I don't think they have the right to confiscate peanuts...they will just rearrange the seating if someone insists on their peanuts.</i>"

Not true -- well, in a <i>way</i> it is. They wouldn't confiscate it, but if one didn't give it up voluntarily they could be denied boarding.

Probably not an issue on a wide body, transatlantic flight w/ several cabins. But I have in fact seen both Southwest and United departure gate agents announce that "no peanuts will be allowed on this flight. If you are carrying any peanut products in your hand luggage please come to the desk." Now that was only twice out of MANY flights, but it certainly can happen.

Have you considered taking a small food grinder and peanuts and making the peanut butter after you arrive? Then you could take a very small amount on the plane or have your daughter eat something else maybe. I looked for some peanut butter in Italy recently and didn't find any.

buerre de cacahuetes - it exists, and you can find it. Who knows, maybe your daughter would fall in love with a French kind. and, buerre d'amandes, buerre de soja, buerre de noix de cajou...

Well, they just confiscated my peanut butter at Madrid Barajas. This made me unhappy.

Was your peanut butter in a jar? or was it spread on sandwiches?

there is a product called "Jif to go" sold in little individual sized packets - that were acceptable to the airlines. I have a kid who isn't a meat eater, so pb is essential for her diet - we just put 6 or so into a 1 qt. bag and counted it against our liquids allowance.

http://www.amazon.com/Jif-Peanut-But.../dp/B000KOUKCY

surfmom, I LOVE those little tubs!

I pack them for work travel all the time. They're great with celery sticks, crackers, apple slices, or just straight out of the tub. With those little tubs I can just pick up something to dip in it and I have a great snack. I also try to pack at least a few for when I travel so that I can leave them in my daypack in case I have hypoglycemic issues.

If I don't have a chance to take those, I usually snag a couple really small tubs from the hotel breakfast room. They don't care and it gives me a good emergency stash.


RAR, was yours in your "liquids baggy" or separate?

I haven't read all of these posts and I hope this suggestion doesn't come too late, but can you get a letter from the doctor stating the PB is a medical necessity?

You can find peanut butter in Paris easily enough; I'm not sure about the provinces. Many of the larger (and sometimes smaller) supermarkets carry peanut butter. The only problem is that there may only be one or two brands in stock, and not much choice of styles (all smooth, or all chunky, etc.).

P_M: "<i>I hope this suggestion doesn't come too late . . . </i>"

probably is since the OP was posted in Oct <u>2009</u> . . . .

She updated her post on Dec. 3, janisj

The OP hasn't been seen on Fodor's for almost a year.

Wally: "<i>She updated her post on Dec. 3, janisj</i>"

Nope. someone named RAR did that . . .

*snicker*

I'm glad I'm not the only one who posts to old topics and doesn't notice the date. :)


I'm still curious about RAR's peanut butter though. If it fit in the liquids baggie then it should have been 'safe'.

Think we will check a bag on our trip to Peru this July.
Just to carry DD's PB since she's a vegan, and my practice cello :)