carry-on food question

[Ron in South Texas]

I have always checked my frozen food, but this time around I'm planning on using my polar bear cooler and do carry-on. My wife and I like those Stouffer Skillet meals...just right for 2 people. The sauce is frozen into little wafers. Has anyone had any experience or problems with the TSA concerning these type of meals?

[jimg20]

We took our Polarbear cooler through the TSA checkpoint at NW Arkansas Regional Airport, full of meat, last Monday. They x-rayed it and then wanted to look inside. After taking a look, he gave it back w/o further comment. Every airport and even every inspector has their own way of doing things. I don't know what your airport will do.

We froze the food and a sheet of techni ice at the lowest setting (every degree counts). I loaded the cooler the day before we left and put the entire cooler in the freezer (again, every degree counts). The note on the front door reminded us to grab the cooler as we walked out the door to go to the airport. When we got to the villa 12 hours later, everything was completely frozen.

We are eating the sausage for breakfast as I reply to you.

JIM

[loria]

i have had TSA make me check a cooler with techni ice-
i have had to argue with them over FROZEN pesto--
like jimg20 said, there is a certain degree of random--so just beware

[RickG]

Agreed on the interpretation of the rules. We bring our polar bear cooler (medium) as a carry on and have not had problems with frozen item. We do not pack gel-packs or frozen liquids. Worst case, they make you throw something away.

Cheers, RickG

[crasherino]

We have had techni ice confiscated before...luckily they didn't take it all - only the sheet on top.

I say luckily because we wanted to use them on island. The food would have arrived frozen, no problem without any ice packs. Those coolers truly are amazing. As long as the meat is thoroughly frozen before, there's really no need to have the techni ice.

Used the Polar Bear Coolers as multiple Father's Day presents this year. Great gift. Use code #5150 for a 10% discount.

[longislandjean]

I thought techni ice wasn't allowed, or any other ice pack, in your carry-on.

[gibber161]

Those TSA agents better stay away from my filet mignons.

[PA Girl]

Also agree on the interpretation of the rules.

I have used Techniice for my son's little carry-on food-for-travelling cooler with on problem. I was prepared to chuck it if TSA said so but no one said anything to me over 3 or 4 trips.

[Ron in South Texas]

Thanks all!! I'll take my chances with my Stouffer Skillets and techni-ice. I'll put the steaks and burgers on top and bury my techni-ice on the bottom until I get it past the TSA.

[gibber161]

We only had carry-on and one bag had our frozen steaks in cryo-vac from Omaha Steaks, sent thru the x-ray machine, no problem... in another bag, we had frozen Perdue boneless chicken breast in cryo-vac sent thru the x-ray machine, asked to open up the case and look at it, then sent on our way ...we didn't use gel packs or techni-ice, left home at 5:30am and arrived at villa at 5:30pm everything was mostly frozen and tasted delicious when we grilled them..