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Getting there with a baby

Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 4:06 pm
by flip-flop
I am not going to have a hard time carrying on baby food (sealed in orignal containers) am I? Has anyone traveled lately with a baby?

TSA's site says its allowed, but a lot of what is and isn't allowed seems to be incorrectly and unevenly enforced. I am wondering about real world experience.

For us getting there is an all day affair, leaving at 6am and getting to STT around 2. That is several meals. Then there is the fear that we'll be delayed, so I'll pack extra. Of course, TSA says pack only what you need to get to your destination. Because we all know flights are never delayed or missed!

Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 4:14 pm
by LMG
FF, I traveled with my nephew (16 mos.) recently and had liquids (though not babyfood) like juice and milk in small containers and had no problem. I had them in quart-sized bags but not original containers and they didn't seem to have a problem at either security checkpoint.

Strangely, when my sister (his mother) who was meeting us later tried to make it through with more baby stuff, they asked her "where's the baby?" and gave her a hard time. So since your baby will be right there, I bet it'll be fine. :)

Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 4:17 pm
by flip-flop
Thanks. Back when I was going to bring quarts upon quarts of formula (before Pia was nice enough to offer to help me out) I was going to assign each adult a quart or two. Then I thought those not flying with us might get hassled. Bad plan!

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:12 am
by PA Girl
We were also asked "where is the baby?" in San Juan. I had packed a little cooler with his food (but not jared baby food) and several milk cups. Ah, it would be the baby I am holding. (duh)

TSA checked it over well but nothing above what I would have expected. We have flown quite a bit since he was born and I always kept his things well organized and seperate so the TSA inspection would be easier on everyone involved.

I remember in other airports the first TSA agent at security, the one typically does the running "no liquids...." announcement marking our boarding passes when I told him I had food and drink for our son.

Baby Food

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:18 am
by Beachboy
FF last January I just happened to have a young mother and her baby sit next to me in the terminal while we were waiting to board. She was in tears because they made her take the baby food out of her carry on and pack it in checked luggage. She said she had checked and TSA said it was OK, but they still insisted.
Everything seemed to work out and the baby slept the entire flight, but I learned that I print out the relevent page from the TSA web site and carry it with me if I am concerned about something in my carry on. I am not sure if that will work, but at least I have something in writing to show them.

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:33 am
by PA Girl
Very good advice Beachboy

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:35 am
by flip-flop
Excellent plan. I would lose my marbles if they tried to take his food away. He is happy and easy going as long as he's not hungry!

Thanks all! You guys are the best.