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TRAVELERS are welcome to bring their Thanksgiving leftovers on their post-holiday plane rides – except for one popular side dish.
The Transportation Security Administration has strict guidelines for the millions of passengers traveling by air this week for Thanksgiving.
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Nearly all foods are allowed to be transported in checked baggage – but the rules get tricky when it comes to carry-on bags.
Solid food items can pass through a TSA checkpoint with no problem, but liquids have to be under 3.4 ounces.
This means passengers have to be careful about how much gravy they bring on planes, as it counts as a liquid.
The TSA has this rule to prevent items from spilling, spraying, or pouring on the plane.
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The rule also includes other Thanksgiving classics like cranberry sauce and apple cider.
Any canned item also counts as liquid, so passengers must check they’re under 3.4 ounces or 100 ml as well.
More holiday favorites like casseroles, macaroni and cheese, and stuffing can also be brought through TSA checkpoints.
Food often needs additional screening at security, so TSA advises travelers to place items in an easily accessible spot.
Fresh foods and cooked or uncooked meats like turkey and ham are also fine to bring through TSA, officials shared in a press release last year.
When it comes to frozen food, the TSA has specific rules about the ice packs travelers use to keep their leftovers cold.
Ice packs must be frozen solid and not melted when going through a TSA checkpoint.
If frozen foods are partially melted or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they won’t be permitted through security.
Frozen liquid items also must be frozen solid when they go through screening, meaning bringing frozen gravy or cranberry sauce is an option.
But if the frozen liquids are partially melted, slushy, or have liquid at the bottom of the container, they still have to follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
TSA’s 3-1-1 rule
The Transportation Security Administration regulates the amount of liquids, aerosols, and gels that flyers can bring through airport security with the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
The 3-1-1 rule consists of the following:
Each container of liquid has to be 3.4 ounces or less.
All liquids have to fit in one clear, quart-sized, resealable bag.
Finally, passengers can only bring one bag of liquids each.
The 3-1-1 rule says that each container of liquid has to be under 3.4 ounces and fit in one clear, quart-sized bag.
Plus, passengers can only bring one bag of liquids – so you have to choose between bringing your gravy, sauce, or preserves on the plane.
However, if you’re traveling with a baby this holiday season, the liquids guidelines don’t apply to baby formula, baby food, or breast milk as they’re considered medically necessary liquids.
Other medically necessary liquids might include contact lens solutions or medicines, but flyers should tell the TSA agent about the liquids before they go through screening.
Liquids that don’t follow the guidelines have to be packed in checked bags or thrown away entirely.
Even if you bring your Thanksgiving leftovers home with you, be sure to eat them before the Monday following the holiday, or else you could risk food poisoning.
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