Once again, I am getting conflicting information about carrying food on board.

1) Some tell me that I can already have food/snacks with me PRIOR to screening and the screeners will let me on

2) Others say that NO FOOD is allowed until AFTER I am screened. Then, I can purchase over-priced food and snacks then carry them on in bag.

Which one please?

The last time I flew in the U.S.--in January, you could carry on food that you had prior to clearing security as long as it wasn't liquid, gel, etc.

Solid foods -- bring them from home, take them through screening and aboard the plane.
Liquid or spreadable foods (beverages, yogurt, onion dip) -- will not make it through TSA screeing, but any you purchase after screening can go aboard.

So if you bring a sandwich, apply the mustard at home because a squeeze packet could be confiscated as a spreadable food.

I flew in January and carried fresh apples, clementines, dried fruit, and nuts in my carry on. No problem. I did not purchase water until after I had gone thru security. I also had grapes in a plastic container.

#1 is correct (who is saying #2?)

You can bring your own food as long as it is not gel or liquid or could in any way been construed as such.

Water you need to wait until after security to purchase.

That said, I always buy my snacks at the airport to avoid having a bunch more stuff to drag around thru security with me. Airport snacks are not necessarily "over-priced" in my experience.

Actually, jello, pudding, yogurt in 3 oz or smaller are ok. Look at the bottom of this chart. You can't take any drinks - any size.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...ted-items.shtm

Debi

They were allowing bottled water on the plane, purchased after security, when I flew a couple weeks ago.

It must depend on what you call "food"

Seriously, in January I only had snacks: energy bars, cookies, nuts, pretzels. I think chips would be fine, too.

See the pattern? Nothing liquid- or jello- or spreadable.

If snacks plus whatever they serve on-board is enough for you, fine. If not, then you'll have to pay for food after security.

When we flew last week, we brought sandwiches with us and had no problem. You can buy drinks/water after security and take them aboard.
"Beverages brought from home or purchased before reaching the security checkpoint in a 3 oz. or smaller container and in your quart-size, zip-top plastic bag."

Debi

Thank you all so very much for
your feedback.

By "food" I meant a sandwich and then,
things like Trail Mix, apple slices, etc;

Much appreciated.

I have a special diet and since airline food is dicey at the best of times I bring my own. Last time I flew was the end of December and I brought a sandwich, trail mix, and some cookies. No hassle or fuss from anyone. (Just please, no stinky food from home.)

LOL Jersey: Sounds like what I want to take. No.No stinky food, I would not do that to my fellow travelers.

Why not? Don't you want all the elbow space you can get?

quot;>

We will be flying to Colorado soon and I
was wondering if we will be able to take
an ice pack in our little cooler to keep
our sandwiches cool?

I don't think you will be able to use gel packs to keep sandwiches cool only for meds etc:

"Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medically related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions."

Pack sandwiches that don't contain ingredients that need to be kept cool. The sandwiches I made were roast turkey with mayo and they were fine just being carried as is. I made them at 5 am and ate them around noon with no problems.

You might do roast meat with mustard if you are concerned about spoilage.

You could always get ice AFTER you pass thru security for you cooler at a restaurant. Remember, that will count as 1 of your carry on bags.

Hope this helps...
Debi

No ice packs, I don't think.

That's why I just wait and spring for a sandwich at the airport right before I board the plane. One less thing to tote all the way from home.

Commercial mayo isn't a problem. It can stay at room temp for hours and hours. Homemade mayo is another problem (and is how mayo got such a bad reputation that has hung on for a generation or two). Of course, homemade mayo is pretty dicey when fresh because eggs are suspect.

I usually take a few cans of Sardines and a wedge of Stilton Cheese when I fly coach . . seems to be less crowded when I open them up!

You're right! On the flight where I am sitting in the middle, I'll open my can of TUNA! lol

Recently went to Cancun and we had made Beautiful Salami/Mozz sandwiches and the TSA were drooling over them when they checked our bags. They let us through with no problems. Same in Cancun. Our hotel put us sandwiches together for the ride home and they had no problem at security. No bottle water was allowed though and we bought that after being through security. I hate that.