Can I bring food from home on an airplane?

[Vanilla]

I've never had a problem with taking food on a flight and often took a flask of tea and once a half bottle of vodka before they brought the ridiculous and farcial liquid ban in. I always take solid deodorant Clarins is very good for flight-sized freebies whenever they have an offer on. That goes in my carry-on and the full size in my hold luggage.

[Brandi]

I always pack a sandwich and some fruit. I would be the person sitting next to you with a tuna sandwich.

I don't buy drinks at the airport. I take an empty water bottle, and then ask the bartender to fill it for me.

I travel for work. I bring a sig bottle and fill on the other side of security. You can bring anything you want to eat. Apple sauce or yogurt might get you stopped but anything else you are fine. I make wraps. Tortilla, spicy hummus. cheese, turkey or just veggie. They travel way better then a sandwich.

[indysteel]

I'm confused about bringing an empty water bottle and filling it up with water after security. My understanding with liquids is that the containers cannot be any bigger than 3 oz. Even if the bottle only has 3 oz of liquid in it, if the bottle itself holds 5 oz., TSA will seize it. How, then, can you get an empty water bottle past security?

[Eden]

I think the intent of not allowing partially full larger bottles is to not have the TSA people having to try to decide whether or not you have 3 ounces or 4 in your 8 ounce container - but an empty container is empty, so no decision is necessary.

I am now thinking about whether or not I can get a stainless steel thermos through or not..... empty it will still look suspicious. I would guess that it will be searched and it will be wise to just put it in the box at the beginning, but I don't think it is a "banned" item...

[jessmarimba]

If the bottle has no liquid in it, it's allowed. But they mean EMPTY empty.

And lotion bars are actually solid. It's like a bar of soap or a candle, not a gel at all (unless it's, say, 120 degrees in the airport. Might melt then). More solid than my deoderant, I'd have to say.

[indysteel]

I think the intent of not allowing partially full larger bottles is to not have the TSA people having to try to decide whether or not you have 3 ounces or 4 in your 8 ounce container - but an empty container is empty, so no decision is necessary.

I am now thinking about whether or not I can get a stainless steel thermos through or not..... empty it will still look suspicious. I would guess that it will be searched and it will be wise to just put it in the box at the beginning, but I don't think it is a "banned" item...

Ah, that makes sense. I hadn't thought of it like that. Now I can avoid paying $6 for a bottle of water!!!

[Brandi]

I bring my sigg bottle through empty all the time. I put it on top of my backpack when it goes through and no one has ever said anything about it. Now saying that last year my husband put his travel coffee mug in his backpack with less then an once of coffee in it and sent it though security (he thought it was empty) and they did take it! And we were out a really nice travel mug. Ok now I am mad all over again. We told him to throw out the coffee and he made a stink about how WE would have to go out of security and he would HAVE to see us pour it out. Well we were already cutting it close on a flight home so it was not worth it. But really!

[uk elephant]

Always bring water bottle, which gets filled past security. Use carabiner and attach empty bottle on outside of bag. Never any problem as it is clearly empty and no need to open bag to check suspicious item. Also usually carry lunch: sandwiches, fruit, chocolate. Never any problem. And travelled all over world with aluminum knitting needles...never been questioned or stopped.

[Brandi]

I don't take my inhaler out of my bag and no one has ever questioned it!

[jessmarimba]

I have the unfortunate luck of being stuck in an airport somewhere every single time something crazy happens, which might be why I take fewer chances than most. Underwear bomber? I was sitting in ORD. Plane lands in the Hudson? I was sitting in CLT. Etc. Stuff like that happens, they end up having extra security even once you're already in the terminal (gate screenings, etc). Plus I used to book flights so close to the flight date that I seemed to be permanently on Delta's extra screening list. Lost a lot of "suspicious" stuff that year for no reason. It has eased up since I moved to Denver but I'm still really cautious.

[ny biker]

There were no instructions to take anything out of your bag, or to do anything else, at the security checkpoint. There were no recorded announcements. I f there were instructions on the signs, it was in print that was too small to read. I did what the people in front of me did -- took a bin, put my shoes and jacket in it, put my bag on the belt, waited for someone to tell me to walk through the scanner, picked up my stuff, put my shoes on and headed for the gate.

So, now I have several hours to waste at SLC airport...