I've been flying from DFW To CLE and back every two weeks using a styrofoam cooler in a box. Never had a problem until this week when the agent had an attitude. I'm not saying she was wrong just wrong in the way she went about things. The agent taking care of me asked what was in the box. I said frozen meat. She said any dry ice? I said no. The agent next to me stopped her and said they could not accept meat in a box. I said there is a styrofoam cooler in the box. She said we can't accept styrofoam coolers....The agent then cuts open the box and the sissors cut into the cooler. After much banter back and forth a red coat comes over and lets me check the bag. While I believe the rule is no meat/fish in boxes or just styrofoam I don't think it actually addresses a cooler in a box. The agent said she would look into it and document the record for my return to DFW.

The agent with an attitude claimed the meat could potentially leak on someone elses luggage. Well the week before the box didn't make a connection and arrived a day later than I and was still rock hard frozen. Not to mention when bags arrived wet from being left on the tarmac in the rain.

On a side note my father brings frozen fish from Alaska every August and never has a problem checking the fish which is frozen (no dry ice) in a styrofoam cooler in a box. He is about to do the same Saturday.

I think it depends on the agent and be ready to sign the release on the back of the luggage tag. I honestly believe you won't have a problem.