Heads up for Canadians bringing olive oil from Europe...
 

Strange but true - we just returned from 2 wonderful weeks in Spain and bought olive oil throughout our travels - about 8-9 bottles/cans in all. Hubby lugged it in his carry-on back pack from Malaga to Madrid to Frankfurt to Toronto with no issue. When we got to Security at Pearson Airport to get on a Jazz Flight (Air Canada), they told us we couldn't take the olive oil on board. It was flammable!!! We were pretty shocked (and more than a little ticked off). Fortunately we were able to make arrangements to get it home via ground transportation but we won't take the chance again.

Hi Canuck,

>...they told us we couldn't take the olive oil on board.<

I think you have the prize for most outrageous airline security story.

Just a thought--isn't wine flammable too? It's a good thing the airlines are protecting the rest of us from you oil lovers. sheesh

Actually olive oil is somewhat flammable.
A long time ago when I lived in Greece we had a power failure.
I had no candles (I wasn't very romantic at 19 :) ) so my Greek girlfriend filled a small bowl with olive oil and put a cotton ball in it and lit it on fire. Instant oil lamp :). Regards, Walter

What was even more outrageous - we must have looked shell shocked to the Security Supervisor. We were definitely jet-lagged and unbelievably disappointed that after carting the oil all this way, we might have to ditch it.
Realizing our disappointment/anger/shock, the Supervisor said that "as a favour" to us, he would allow us to take 1 litre each on board. Now figure that one out. I guess a LITTLE fire on board would have been ok!

Canuckuphereathome, thanks OK. Our laundry room has a sign that anything that has had olive oil spilled on it cannot be put in the washer or dryer because a fire could start!
So far, so good. No fires!!!

just a tad off topic:

canuck...what neck of the woods are you from? I'm in St. Thomas, Ontario.

Tamara

right next door!!! London!

"Realizing our disappointment/anger/shock, the Supervisor said that "as a favour" to us, he would allow us to take 1 litre each on board. Now figure that one out. I guess a LITTLE fire on board would have been ok!"

Patrick's mind goes wild:

"Oh, I see you have two box cutters in your hand luggage. Well, as a special favor, we'll let you keep one, but we're confiscating the other one."

"Look at this gun. Well, as a special favor to you, since it's a small one, we'll let you carry it on board, but we'll only allow you three bullets, we're taking this full carton of them."

Very funny, Patrick.

I think it's strange that you were allowed to bring the "flammable" stuff on the long overseas flight but not the shorter domestic one within Canada.

canuck, oh yes of course..now i see you.
do you see me waving out the window?

this is too cool. :))

Hello from Mississauga, Lucy & Canuck :)

I was thinking EXACTLY the same way as P_M! I bring back olive oil from Europe at least 4 times a year (and vinegar), have always declared it at customs in Pearson and have never had a problems. I have never been asked about carrying oil when I've checked in either. I have carried it in my hand baggage and my checked luggage.

The security guards at Toronto can be difficult though. They have confiscated a plastic wine-opener from me (that I had confirmed was OK and had delared at various times in the US, UK, France ...... etc) and a nail clippers in the past. However, I think both of these items are far more dangerous than olive oil. I can understand that the oil might be dangerous in the hands of a terrorist to spread a fire, but on a flight from TO to London ONT ...???? I think you may have hit the wrong guy on the wrong day.

Well, at least you got it home :>)

regards Ger

Aren't most of the things we're carrying on board flammable? Paper (books, magazines, tickets), clothing, etc?

I have another good one...Two years ago when leaving Paris, I had a pottery pitcher wrapped in bubble wrap in my carryon bag. The security lady at CDG told me that, although she would allow me to go ahead, technically it was not allowed, as I could break the pitcher after getting on the plane and would then have a sharp weapon! I sure am glad she decided to let me go through...

The stupid rules are why I just like to buy a piece of jewerly as a memento and skip bringing back all the stuff I would like to.
Aren't the rules ridiculous!
And why can't airports just have all the same rules.
I know, I know, they want to keep everyone confused so that the terrorist don't know what the rules are.
Unfortunatly neither do any of the passengers flying.

A very interesting experience.

I have a question...

How long does olive oil keep (both opened and unopened) before going rancid?

Seetheworld:

Unopened oil - if it's in a sealed can you can keep for about two years, if you store it in a cool dark place (a wine cellar is ideal). In a clear glass bottle, a little less.

Opened oil - kept in a cool place, away from light, but NOT in the refrigerator, will keep for about six months.

PB

SusanP, if that's the rule then people wearing glasses should not be allowed to fly, as they can break them and have a sharp weapon. We really must beware of people with the thick, coke-bottle glasses. Just think what this will do for the lasik eye surgery business.