For many Thanksgiving travelers and hosts, there is a mutual, perhaps unwritten, agreement: Out-of-town guests travel and hosts do the cooking.
For many others, however, it is not so simple. This means you’re likely to see a fellow traveler carrying a turkey or pie next week as you prepare to board your flight home for the holidays.
And of course, we expect to see many passengers flying with leftovers on their way home; Last year, the Sunday after Thanksgiving was the Busiest day ever recorded at US airports.
So with Friday, November 21st, marking the unofficial start of the Thanksgiving travel rushIt’s a good time to check what’s coming in and what’s going out (i.e. what you can take with you and what needs to be checked) as you head to the airport.
“It’s strange, but sometimes we see turkeys at security checkpoints,” former Transportation Security Administration spokesman Mark Howell told me a couple of years ago.
More Thanksgiving table items passing through security checkpoints also means the TSA can expect to see a much more eclectic variety of carry-on items. The assessment is no easy task as staff prepare to welcome millions of travelers in the coming days.
If you’re among the travelers hoping to prepare some food at home before flying, there are a few things you need to know: Whether you’ll be waiting in the standard line (arrive early, if so) or heading to the TSA Precheck line.
3-1-1 applies, as always
As is always the case, the TSA 3-1-1 rule governs what can and cannot get on the plane. It means that every liquid passing through a checkpoint must be in a container of 3.4 ounces or less, all containers must be placed in a quart-sized clear plastic bag, and each passenger is only allowed one plastic bag.
Even on a normal travel day, prohibited items literally pile up in plastic bins near checkpoints.
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Most travelers know that they can’t carry a huge bottle of sunscreen in their carry-on luggage. However, the composition of Thanksgiving main dishes and side dishes can be a little confusing when it comes to 3-1-1.
Related: When will TSA’s 3-1-1 liquids policy end?
Bringing Thanksgiving food on a plane
Let’s start with the obvious: You should follow the 3-1-1 rule whether you’re carrying a mini bottle of toothpaste or your family’s famous Thanksgiving side dish.
“Their solid food, their pastries and pies will be fine,” Howell explained.
That means you can bring turkey, ham, chicken or something similar. Just keep in mind that the US Department of Agriculture It advises you to pay special attention to the packaging and storage of perishable products.
We say “special attention” because the measures you take to ensure your food stays cold during travel can become a common mistake.
Any ice packs you use must remain frozen while passing through the checkpoint.
That also goes for the frozen turkey you bought at the supermarket.
“Sometimes if it’s half-melted and there’s liquid in there, there’s a problem,” Howell said. In that case, you’ll want to leave it in the freezer until you leave for the airport.
On the other hand, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, casseroles, pies, pastries, and fresh fruits and vegetables are generally safe bets for getting through the checkpoint.
Items you cannot bring
With many other classic Christmas dishes, you’ll want to consider the ingredients before trying to proceed with them. In some cases, it’s a pretty obvious “no go.”
“If you can pump it, pour it, spray it or spread it and it weighs more than 3.4 ounces, then it should go in your checked bag,” Howell said.
Many items can go through, along with spices. You need to check canned fruits and vegetables.
Sauces, sauces, jams, jellies, wine and liqueurs must go in checked baggage if they exceed the 3.4 ounce limit.
Just be sure to wrap and pack items carefully to avoid making a mess in case a fragile bottle breaks.
Luckily, if you’re not sure what food you can bring on the plane, the MyTSA app has a helpful “What can I bring?” section. Write your article and you can find out if you can pass it through a checkpoint or if it needs to be reviewed.
Related: Best Times to Book Flights with Cheap Airfares
What foods can you bring through TSA?
In regards to Thanksgiving, here is a complete summary that the TSA has shared about what foods are and are not allowed in carry-on luggage.
Thanksgiving Foods You Can Bring Through a TSA Checkpoint
- Baked goods, pies, cakes, cookies and brownies.
- Meats, including turkey, chicken, ham, and steak (frozen, cooked, or raw)
- Stuffed, cooked or raw
- Casseroles
- macaroni and cheese
- fresh vegetables
- fresh fruit
- Sweet
- spices
Thanksgiving Foods You Can’t Carry in Your Handbag
- Cranberry sauce, homemade or canned
- Dip
- Drinks such as wine and champagne.
- Canned fruits or vegetables (as there is usually liquid in the can)
- Preserves, jams and jellies
If your item falls into the “no” category for carry-on luggage, you should still be able to pack it in your checked luggage. This is a great time to use those free checked bags and other airline credits available at that time. travel credit card in your wallet.
TSA has created several ways for you to ask your burning questions, including on social media, through the TSA website and through text messages.
In a nutshell
Every time TSA detects a prohibited item while scanning a bag, it causes a delay at the checkpoint. During what is expected to be one of the busiest weeks of the year, those delays can pile up.
Whether you plan to pack a bottle of hair gel or your family’s traditional Thanksgiving casserole, consider whether the size and composition of your item makes it eligible to pass security.
On the positive side, no one will have to take off their shoes this year when passing through security.
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