K,
A couple of years ago my folks went to visit my sister in Italy and brought 1 entire suitcase filled to the brim with "goodies" for their kids - double stuff oreos, cheerios, pop tarts etc. no problem at all - other than a few crushed cookies!

It's a great idea to have food available on your arrival. I'll have to remember that. Airport food is often lousy/expensive and when travelling with kids, when they are hungry nobody is having a good time!

I like to bring an extra suitcase whenever I visit Newcastle. Full of coals. I heard they don't have them there.

Thank you to those who responded to my question, and who validated my reaction to the intial replies.

Truly, what does it matter the amount of food? That wasn't my question. MikeT - do you really want to read a question like:

After doing an extensive research study of all prior threads here on fodors, I would like to know if I can bring one 12-pack box of granola bars, one 8 oz. jar of Jif peanut butter and 10 large freezer Ziploc bags through security without a problem. We are on flight 123 from JFK and arrive at Heathrow at 6:23am....

Some people jump to such conclusions based on a two sentence question and start making negative inferences on things that aren't even the issue at hand. I've had that happen to me here "in Europe" a lot.

ciaolaura - my initial reaction was also that I can't imagine living with someone so negative...

Padraig - I'm sure you do answer ignorant questions, but that's not reason to assume everyone is ignorant.

I guess some of you would be shocked to know that when we travel domestically to the western US we bring a cooler with us. We always used to stop in a grocery store or 7/11 and buy a cheap styrofoam cooler and then just throw it away. But one tirp we were in Walmart and found a "good" cooler on wheels was only $5 more, so we bought it, figured we'd bring it home and if it doesn't survive the flight, oh well.

That cooler has been on over half a dozen trips with us. After a long hot hike or a long day, it is wonderful to have a cold drink waiting for us in the car. We save money and time. We also use the cooler to store extra things on the way home if we start to exceed our luggage weight limit. Our last trip we put our hiking boots in there (wrapped in plastic bags).

Defensive much. Sheesh.

Well, I bring things like coffee, tea, sugar packs, some other kinds of snacks simply because I may not want to go or have time to go to a supermarket the first few days of a trip.

I agree Karens (and all of those other packrats like me), it is nice to have something to munch on.

Oh and as to the coffee thing, I like those little Folgers bag things. I also bring a 700 watt hotpot to cook stuff in, like coffee or cocoa. It doesn't take up any real room, as I pack it full of stuff like socks.

:-)

dave

Oh, I forgot though, I do pack mine in the regular luggage, so I don't know how P-Butter will do on the security thing on a carry on, but it would be interesting to find out.

dave

I think you are wise to have stocked up on non junk food to have ready on landing. Just a word of caution about peanut butter in the cabin of the plane. I understand they are quite fussy about that due to allergies these days.

I know someone is going to jump on me for this and say that I am overly cautious. However, in my last few years of teaching I ran across two students who were so allergic to peanuts that even being in the same room with them could send them into shock. (How the two different families wanted us to handle the situation--two very different approaches--is a whole other story and off topic here.)

However, you clearly say that p.b. will be inchecked luggage, so doubt if it will be a problem.

Have a great trip!

Karens- I always bring snacks in both my suitcase and carryon. You never know when you will be by a market and I have low blood sugar and need snacks. Last trip to Australia I had granola bars and peanut butter crackers in the boxes and loose and they went through security fine. Bringing food back can be more problematic. But you must try the European granola bars! I am not sure why but they are so much better than our major brands! Why? I haven't a clue. The boxed apple juice is outstanding too, if the boys like juices. Ignore the scarcasm here. It comes with the territory...The travel tips on this board are really, really good.