As if spending the holidays with the family weren’t stressful enough, add the angst of air travel, as painful to swallow as fruitcake. With airport security still on high alert and airlines penny-pinching passengers over checked bags, getting home for a slice of pumpkin pie or Santa’s chimney drop can darken any festive mood. Here are some common questions about flying turkeys.
Q: I’m in charge of bringing the cranberry sauce, mint jelly, rice pudding, Christmas flan, etc. Are these items permissible in carry-on luggage?
A: If the food wiggles, jiggles or dribbles, the Transportation Security Administration says it is a goodie non grata. Unless, of course, you are serving only 3 ounces of the dish to the whole table. The 3-1-1 rule, which covers liquids and gels of all flavors, requires such items to be contained in bottles no larger than 3 ounces and placed in a quart-size, zip-top clear plastic bag. For a comprehensive list of TSA-approved food items, see www.tsa.gov.
You may pack as many jams and sauces as you wish in your checked bags. Just be sure to swaddle any breakables in bubble wrap.
Q: My pie is a bit gloppy. Does that make it a liquid and therefore not permitted onboard? A: If it’s in a crust, even the gooiest slice of pie is allowed.
Q: Can I take a frozen turkey or ham onboard? A: You can haul any frozen foodstuffs onboard; however, you may not use an ice pack or gel to keep them cold. If your flight is short, the meat should stay frozen. For longer distances, stick it in a cooler with ice packs and check it.
Q: No holiday is complete without fine wine or champagne. What’s the best way to transport bottles of vino?
A: Unless you are serving mini bottles of booze or are traveling internationally and can slip into a duty-free shop for some hard stuff, you must check your liquor. Wrap the bottles well and stick them in your luggage, or box and send them separately.
Q: Can I wrap gifts that I plan to carry on the plane?
A: Best to leave them unwrapped. Security officials have the right to untie your bows. Wrap the present loosely in tissue paper and place it in a decorative bag. Certain gift-worthy items, such as snow globes, gel candles and baseball bats, are banned onboard.
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