Don’t be a turkey this year.
Airports have been bracing for the coming Thanksgiving crush, with nearly six million Americans taking flight amid worries of winter storms and cheaper than usual flights.
Travelers can expect long waits at airport security next week, but the Transportation Security Administration is hoping to keep things clucking along by issuing a reminder regarding which holiday foods won’t fly — literally.
“If it’s a solid item, then it can go through a checkpoint,” the TSA advises.
“However, if you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it, and it’s larger than 3.4 ounces, then it should go in a checked bag.”
The agency added that any and all food items will typically need added screening time. The best passenger practice is keeping your movable feast in an easy-to-access compartment.
“It is also important to remember food safety by storing the food properly while traveling to prevent foodborne illness,” according to the TSA. “If you need to keep items cold during your trip, ice packs are permissible, but they must be frozen solid and not melted when they go through security screening.”
Here is a list of what can and can’t go into a plane’s main cabin.
Foods that can be carried on
- Baked goods like cakes, cookies, brownies, and both homemade or store-bought pies
- Frozen, uncooked, and cooked meats like turkey, chicken, ham, steak
- Cooked or uncooked stuffing in a box or bag
- Casseroles with “traditional green beans and onion straws or something more exotic”
- Mac n Cheese in a pan or its unprepared ingredients
- Fresh vegetables, including potatoes, yams, broccoli, green beans, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, beets, radishes, carrots, squash, and greens
- Fresh fruit, including apples, pears, pineapple, lemons, limes, cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, bananas, and kiwi
- Candy and spices
Foods that have to be in checked bags
- Homemade or canned cranberry sauce
- Homemade, jarred, or canned gravy
- Wine, champagne, and sparking apple cider
- Canned fruit or vegetables
- Jam, jelly, and other preserves
- Maple syrup
