Hi everyone,

do you reckon it'd be possible to get a slice of cheesecake through security at ORD? Reason I'm asking: a friend of mine is a hughe fan of the Cheesecake Factory and will be celebrating his birthday on the day I come back from a trip to the US. Sure would be a nice surprise for him but I don't wanna buy the cake and then have to dump it at security.

The cheesecake should be OK.

But will you share with the rest of us?

there shouldn't be any problem. you may get some "very friendly" security members who wants to eat it, but thats all ;-)

Unfortunately, due to the lack of consistent training and accountability at the TSA, you will never have a guarantee of arriving with the same amount of personal goods that you departed with.

Due a quick google search of 'cheesecake TSA' and you will see a spectrum of experiences.

Even the Encyclopedia Britannica has addressed this topic.

To paraphrase one of our frequent TSA contributors, "Some TSOs will allow it, some TSOs won't, all TSOs are different."

Best advice is to show up early and be prepared to elevate to supervisors, but even that is a coin toss.

The TSA can't consistently allow items on their own published permitted list to pass the test, much less anything in a gray area.

Sorry if this isn't the answer you wanted to hear, but good luck.

Thank you all for your replies. Ill just give it a try and if they wont let the cake through Ill have to eat it ... could be worse

Sounds like you are flying to another country. Even if TSA lets you on the plane, the customs agriculture inspectors at your destination may or may not like your cheese cake. Depending on where you are gong you may have to declare it as a food item. You might want to check their regs. Part of the global war on cheesecake smuggling doncha know.

It all depends on how TSA chooses to punctuate the sentence:

"No way it's considered more than 3 ounces of gel"

or

"No way! It's considered more than 3 ounces of gel"

I have bought 2 whole (large) cheesecake from cheesecake factory LAX - NRT - SIN on UA without any problems, done it twice. Though on the 747 upper deck, the smaller whole cheesecake fits better in the side bin or the freezer cart (if the Flight attendents allow you to use them).

Unless you get one of those, "NO LIQUIDSCREAMSGELS ALLOWED!" types. They will no doubt justify the cheesecake as being creamy, thus a cream, thus worthy of being confiscacted voluntarily surrendered. Then, the TSO involved will retire to the bathroom for 15 minutes with some kleenex.

Mike

Should be fine. I've taken a stuffed pizza through security there with no issues besides drooling TSA.

But depending on where you land it could be an issue... (Customs)

If they are hungry your cheese cake is gone