Food on Airlines: Carry On vs. Carrion
 

Leaving from LAX, I will be taking my first trip back to Europe after a long time. I have heard that airlines now have cut back on food, now I remember that it was bad enough before SO I am thinking of taking my own lunch/dinner on board. <BR>Is it possible to take food on board now days? Also any ideas on good food that will last up to 10 hours without cool temperature to keep it fresh? thanks

I have not heard that you CAN"T take food on board, only that you can't bring certain agricultural items back into this country, California especially, I usually pack a few really filling nutitian bars, and maybe a few PB and J sandwiches. I wouldn't bring anything perishable, like dairy products etc. Trail mix, sandwiches, and I usually plan to eat a hearty meal before I get on board. Goodluck with your trip.

I usually have power bars, nuts, trail mix, some crackers or some dried fruit and a bottle of water. Nobody has (yet) tried to stop me - and one of the best reasons to carry on food became apparent to me the last time I went to Ireland. The flight was so turbulent (the whole doggone way) that the flight attendants spent almost the entire flight strapped down - there was NO MEAL SERVICE. And very little beverage service. Truly the worst flight of my life, but at least I had water. The turbulence took care of my appetite, but some people were getting pretty hungry and tied into my goodies with complete gratitude.

Pamela, others on different threads have also suggested a sandwich from Subway. They should keep long enough for the trip. If you really need to keep something cold you could try one of those little collapsible thermal bags.<BR>

Cooked meat or fish, either in a sandwich or a salad (greens, rice or pasta); if you want a mayo-type spread or dressing, get the foil packets at a fast food place; cut-up fruit; cookies, crackers, chips; cold cereal (get milk from beverage service) or instant hot cereal (cup o' hot water from self-same beverage service); cup o' soup (see "hot water from beverage service"). Whatever you bring, be sure you have "plates" or that a styrofoam cup from the beverage service will work, or no service piece is necessary (i.e. a bag of cheerios is sort of messy when you pour milk on it, and worse if you don't have a spoon).<BR><BR>The food police have never given me grief about bringing on food - okay so I bought a BigMac in the airport and took it on the plane and if that didn't raise objections, I don't know what would.<BR><BR>Be considerate of your fellow travelers. A giant sub that reeks of onions isn't very thoughtful, nor is dragging out a giant garlic salami and a chunk of limburger.

You have given me great advice. I think I will make some rice or pasta and take a can of tuna or chicken and a packet of mayo and make a little salad. Then have my "grazing" food for the rest of the trip. I don't know why I didn't think of that myself. Maybe, I am just too excited about the trip! Thanks.

Pamela,<BR>you might want to reconsider the can of tuna, as it can sometimes smell pretty strong.

I don't know how happy the security people would be about a can opener (you definitely couldn't bring one on if it's part of a Swiss army knife) or a can with a pull-tab top. Don't laugh, those pull-tab tops can be pretty dangerous, as anyone who's ever sliced a finger carelessly opening one knows.

Now you are saying I might get jumped and wrestled to the floor by the passengers for my tuna can! Something to think about I suppose.

Yes, you'll have to be especially careful if you sit next to someone who's brought their cat on board.

ON a flight out of Dublin, I was extremely jealous of the guy across the aisle that had some sushi rolls bought on the way to the airport....all I had was the rubber airline chicken!<BR><BR>But I always bring some kind of snack food with me. Sometimes I just want something sweet or salty, and no service in sight!

Kathleen, I know what you mean about snack cravings. Wouldn't you think that if the airlines can have vegetarian meals and diabetic meals, they could have chocaholic meals, too?

Pamela,<BR><BR>Kudos to you on the great title!! Really got my attention.<BR><BR>If we're voting, then I say let's bring food. 8 1/2 hours is too long to suffer thru airline food.

If only it was only 8 1/2 hours. You should try 24!

I usually eat cheese, pate, a fruit and some almonds as I never like the airline food, sometimes it may be olives instead of pate. As long as you eat everything and not go through customs you are ok. Also no plants or herbs with roots.

If only it was only 8 1/2 hours. You should try 24!

If only, is that 24 hours STRAIGHT on a plane? I think I'd go insane. That's a lot of carry on (carrion) food.

Although I wouldn't take tuna as I think the smell is too strong; there are cans which open with a pull ring and wouldn't require a can opener if you still want to go that route.<BR>I would opt for some nuts, fruit,cheese and some power bars and water of course.<BR>I also have found that ordering the kosher meal in advance gives a higher quality of food.

Thanks for the Kosher food tip, Pam. I sat next to someone with that, and was jealous; it did look nice!<BR><BR>Tuna comes in foil packets now (no pull-tab or can opener) but I too, wouln't recommend eating it in an enclosed small space! Nice if you need a protien fix on an airport layover, though.<BR><BR>As I understand it, you can bring what food you like *on* the plane, as long as you leave it there when you disembark.<BR><BR>

I have two favorites to bring on the plane. One is take-out vegetarian sushi from the local supermarket. The other is a container of hummus, some crackers and grapes. Both keep fairly well and are not messy. And both make my fellow passengers envious : )

Pamela - <BR><BR>PLEASE don't bring tuna - it reeks and to do so would be very inconsiderate of your fellow passengers.

Some people here have mentioned meat to take on board the plane - a word of caution about this. If you're flying home from the UK, some countries (including, I think, the US) are still wary about people bringing in meat products after the foot and mouth outbreak last year (France is another.) I would suggest taking fruit, salad, etc - and making sure you've eaten all the meat before you leave the plane!

I didn't think a person could bring food on a plane. What about the paper where you have to state that you don't have food with you? I have had fruit confiscated from my carryon.

What is vegetarian sushi?

Vegetarian sushi is with avacado and cucumber and is called California Roll.<BR>Very tasty.

I've never had any problem bringing food ONTO a plane -- it's bringing the uneaten food INTO a country that's a problem. Both the US and most European countries don't want you bringing in mil, meat, or unprocessed fruits and veggies, as all of these can spread diseases of varoius types. So finish what you take! Nuts are a great choice -- high protein, no preparation, and won't smell and offend your neighbors. Please, folks, no tuna!<BR><BR>If you want to bring perishable food, just freeze a water bottle and put them in a bag together -- after 6 or 8 hours, the water will be ready and your sndwich or whatever will still be cold.

Second that - please, no tuna!

My vote's for grocery store sushi, the kind that comes in the little flat plastic tray. It needn't be vegetarian, and it needn't be raw fish either, though the cooked stuff tends to smell more. <BR><BR>I routinely bring food on board flights, and have never had any objections from the crew. Though I did once nearly start a riot when my neighbors realized I had decent food and they'd been left with the airline's nasty choices.

I second the Kosher meal option. These meals are far superior to the bog standard airline meal that is served - and I am not of the Jewish faith - but I do enjoy their food!<BR>Enjoy!<BR>

Have you ever noticed the crew eating their own food? If they can bring their own, why can't we?

seconds (or thirds) for sushi - easy to carry on, great tummy filler, no utensils required and oh the looks of jealousy from fellow passengers and flight crew!

Tuna, pate, sushi? Good grief! Is it really that hard to eat "icky" airline food for just ONE of your meals? Leave the Taco Bell and Big Macs in the concourse and go with the trail mix, nuts, cheese and crackers. Your fellow passengers will thank you.

Of COURSE you can take your own food on a plane, no matter where you are going. You just can't bring certain foods (like fresh fruit ) INTO a different country. So you leave this stuff behind in the plane's trash bag, if you haven't eaten it upon landing.<BR><BR>I have never ever in my 100+ flights gone without bringing my own food and water. A sandwich is easy, as is a muffin or cookies, an apple, trail mix, or chips. (I typically bring all of the above as you never know how long you're going to be on the plane) I just buy this stuff at the airport before boarding.

How about an anchovy/limburger cheese sandwich? <BR>I brought a taco bell burrito on board once and a flight attend. heated it up for me, it was delicious compared to what the others were eating. I wouldn't expect it to be heated up nowdays though.

Whoa, if a Taco Bell burrito was delicious compared to the airline meal, I'd hate to have seen that airline meal.

Well, xxx, when was the last time you flew? If it is coach food, it is glop. Taco Bell is gourmet compared to anything in coach. Now first and business is a different story.

I bring burritos from ELA's King Tacos on my flights, and they are delicious.

I was suprised, from hearing all the negative comments, on the quality of the food on British Airlines(Boston to London - 10/2001). I had pre-ordered the fruit plates figuring that was a safe bet and brought a packet of Tuna along. The fruit plate was excellent and the regular dinners smelled great. Moral of the story, it all depends on the airline.

Seems to me bringing tacos, burritos, Big Macs, tuna, etc. on board a crowded plane shows a lack of considertion for others, especially when there are other alternatives that aren't nearly as messy and smelly. But I'm not surprised, given the "me first" attitude that's so prevalent these days.

I ordered the "kosher" meal on Alitalia. I was the first person in the whole plane who was served and at least (I thought) I would have some idea as to the "standard" of the food I was to receive.<BR>I was the first person (and probably the only one) on board to have a totally frozen lump of chicken and vegetables presented to me in a sealed baggie. I told them it was totally frozen and they took it back. It took 2 hours!!!(no kidding) for me to get it back. It had thawed by this time but was by no means, hot.At that point, beggars could not be choosers and I ate my rubber chicken. This was not as horrible as it first seemed because when I actually did glance around to see what the other passengers were being served, mine was by far the superior meal. This is all you need to know about the food on Alitalia.