Does food count as a carry-on?
 

Okay, this might sound like a silly question. I'm going on an overseas flight and have one carry-on tote filled to capacity. I'd also like to bring a plastic supermarket bag to carry my water bottle and some snacks for the flight. It seems common sense that it shouldn't be a problem, but you never know nowadays. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks

If you carry it on, it's a carry-on. The airlines don't care whether it contains your clothes, your books, or your lunch.

I do not understand why you want to carry on food when the airline will feed you a gourmet dinner, followed by impeccable coffee service, and just before the flight's conclusion, a full and hearty breakfast to get you going.<BR><BR>Isn't that enough. I mean, after all, airline food is quite good and should keep anyone happy and content. There is no need to bring on your own now is there?

I agree with the above poster. My sister and I took a domestic flight two weeks ago, and as we were boarding, the security officer told my sister she had to put her purse in her carry on or else check her bag. Rita

I agree with Julia. I love airline food, as I seldom have the privilege of eating such gourmet food. At home our meals usually consist of frozen meals warmed up in the microwave, and on the airlines we are served freshly prepared meals. They are always so good! I also really enjoy the superb selection of wines offered to us when we fly. I look forward to all my trips as I know I will have wonderful food and drink and will be so content.

MMMmmmmm love those airline meals! I remember quite fondly the time I asked for a vegetarian meal! Wow, what can I say?? the rice had that perfect crunch that sticks in your teeth, the sauce was indescribable and so was the green stuff next to the rice, but hey-how many times do we get to eat like this??? I say, toss the carry on and eat like a king/queen!!<BR>

Everyone's a comedian : )<BR>But seriously, a large water bottle and some light snacks. How about if I dont put it in a bag and just carry it? Can anyone answer me seriously?

I think the first reply did answer you, a carry-on is a carry-on. Get a bigger purse if you need to. That's what I do; I carry a larger purse(not huge) and put the small purse I carry while I'm travelling inside it with my snacks.

Maybe carry the bottle and put the snacks in pockets? You'll empty them at the big checkpoint but probably not at the gate.<BR>It's also possible that if you do not have a purse or briefcase, the snack bag could be considered your personal item. But there's no predicting the gate agent's reaction; it could depend on how full the flight is, whether the passenger ahead of you is cranky, how charming or attractive the agent finds you, etc.

The serious answer is that it depends on the airline; your best bet is to call or check their website. Here is United's policy:<BR><BR>For travel worldwide on United Airlines, you may carry on one bag and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop computer. A carry-on bag must fit under your seat or in the overhead bin and cannot weigh more than 50 lbs. Its linear dimensions (length + width + height) cannot exceed 9" x 14" x 22". United Airlines may require that a carry-on item travel as checked baggage if the item cannot be safely stowed on a particular flight. <BR>United exempts the following personal items from the one piece limit: <BR><BR>Child safety seats for ticketed children <BR>Assistive devices (e.g. canes, crutches, etc.) <BR>Outer garments (e.g. coats, hats, etc.) <BR>Small purses (no larger than 25 linear inches) <BR>Briefcases <BR>Laptop computers <BR><BR><BR>I'm absolutely with you on the snacks. When I was a nanny, I became used to carrying juice boxes and little baggies of chips and cheerios. I quickly learned how nice it was to have them on flights. Now, I pack myself snacks and drinks, too, so that I don't have to rely on airline food and timing, and it makes the flight so much more enjoyable! My husband always teases me for packing snacks like a nanny but with no little kids, but he always ends up asking for some . . .

Lately I have been carrying a turkey sandwich, vegetables, dessert and a frozen water bottle to keep everything cool, in a Bath and Body Works bag with handles. Looks like I just visited the store in the airport. Never had a problem with it, my purse, and my carry-on suitcase.<BR> The frozen water bottle comes in handy on long flights and at my destination for a nice cool drink waiting for luggage, taxi, etc.<BR> And it is all CHEAPER than airport food and drink!!

Glad you didn't have a problem, Thirsty, but we did. Going through LAX last December we each had a carry-on and a personal item, but in addition I had a small paper shopping bag. It had a small stone sculpture in it which I was carrying separately only because of the weight. Security was downright NASTY about it and would not let me proceed until I had stowed it in my carry-on. It was silly, because as soon as I repacked it in my carry on and reached the boarding area, I promptly took it out and put it back in the shopping bag. Still...it was sort of a pain in the neck.<BR><BR>But to the original poster -- you have your carry-on tote filled to capacity, but you still get a personal item. Take a larger one than you planned and stow the food in there, or carry your jacket and put the food in the pockets.

This is from Delta's website: food for immediate consumption can be carried on and "not count"<BR><BR>Personal items <BR>In addition to the one carry-on item, you can still bring one personal item such as:<BR><BR><BR>a male or female purse <BR>a briefcase <BR>a computer bag <BR>a camera case <BR>a diaper bag <BR>or items of a similar size <BR><BR>Additional items<BR>The following may be brought in addition to what is listed above and does not count towards your allowance: <BR><BR>food item for immediate consumption <BR>assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches, provided passenger is dependent on them <BR>one box or bag of duty free <BR>child restraint device <BR>coat jacket <BR>umbrella <BR>one item of reading material <BR>

For heaven's sake, stop sweating the small stuff. Throw the water bottle and snacks in your purse and call it a day. If you have to get a bigger purse, do it! Who wants to board an airline carrying a plastic supermarket bag, anyway. Tacky!!

Not only does it depend on the airline it depends on the airport. Jacksonville/FL let me take a piece of medical equipment as an "extra" carry since it was necessary. When I returned from Portland/OR I could not count that as my "extra" carry on! I really had to scramble to stuff everything in my bags!

As a very frequent flyer here is what I do. I usually carry on my 22 inch rollaboard and a good size tote bag as my personal item. I put my purse, computer, books, snacks, etc. in the tote. I have never had a problem.

Paula, don't ever try that on British Airways!

Why not call the airline and find out? I think that would be the easiest. AT least they will give you a straight answer. <BR>I disagree with the 'gourment' food on flights. I must have missed that one. Mabye I am flying the wrong airline!<BR>