security and baked goods
 

This is probably going to be considered a stupid question but anyhow....Often when I return from NYC to the West Coast, I'll bring along a bag of pastries from a favorite bake shop in NYC. I always put them in a large paper bag to carry onboard since packing them would end up in a mass of crumbs if checked. Does anyone have an idea of whether this will prove a problem going through security, i.e, security handling them or my being forced to leave them behind?If you have any experience with something similar or any suggestions, info would be appreciated. Thanks!

I have brought on a lot of baked goods - pizzas, pastries, etc. - since 9/11 and have never had a problem with security. The only problem I did have was in New Zealand where they confiscated my baked goods because there was cheese on them and it was under the guise of protecting their ag industry.

As long as it meets carryon size requirements you shouldn't have a problem. Just put the bag on the belt to be scanned. Unless they're foil-wrapped I can't see why they'd care.

You may or may not be allowed a "normal" carry-on in addition to your goodies. typically it's one "legal" carryon plus a "personal item" like a briefcase or purse.

Should be no problem as long as you can put them through the x-ray machine. The only real threat will be a hungry TSA person.

Just supporting the others, as long as they go on the belt and aren't wrapped in tin foil or something, it shouldn't be any hassles. If you know of a place that makes pastry too big for the belt, let me know, I'll be there in minutes.

I just traveled from EWR to SFO with a large cheesecake and strawberry topping from the Carnegie Deli in NYC. I was carrying it in a shopping bag. When the inspector took it from me to place in a plastic basket to go through the x-ray, I asked him to be careful with the package. He asked why, and I told him there was a cheesecake in there. He put it through the x-ray and yelled out "cheesecake coming through". At the other end of the xray machine, when I approached, there were SIX inspectors waiting there. As I picked up the package (which was clearly marked Carnegie Deli), one man asked me who the cheesecake was for. I responded that it was for my sister. In a very stern tone, he said to me "I have to confiscate the package". I asked him why and he said that he had just spoken to my sister and she told him she no longer liked cheesecake and then broke into a smile. He then asked if I was sure I would be able to carry such a heavy package all by myself, maybe I would want to leave it. In all, they were very nice and humerous and I told them that next time I would bring them a cheesecake. You should have absolutely no problems.

The TSA allows a reasonably sized bag of consumable food in addition to the "one plus one" carryons. In fact, this has been the case since October, 2001 when the ridiculous carry-on policy was implemented by Mineta.

I've never had any problems with my "snack-bag" - the ticket-checker at security usually asks if it is food. I say "yes" and they allow it. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

One of the screening stations at an airport I frequent is often used for training security personnel. Sometimes I forget and go through it.

Not long ago a trainee there would not let me pass through with a small paper sack of food "because that makes 3 things [that you are carrying-on]." There was plenty of room in the carry-on suitcase, so I put the sack in there and then it was "OK."

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Middle_Seat

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Craig6z
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