Carry-on a pumpkin?
Sep 15, 2011 | 8:51 am
#16
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Carry-on a pumpkin?
But seriously, I have no idea tho the pumpkin might be an issue traveling to certain places which have agriculture restrictions so best to check
And the Secret Service wrestled the pumpkin to the ground.....
Sep 15, 2011 | 9:06 am
#17
Join Date: Jun 2009
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This gives me the strange urge to pack a pumpkin on my next flight, but my next flight is international so that's probably not a good idea. I don't think I can convince my wife to take a pumpkin on her domestic flight next week. 
Somebody mentioned traveling with eggs, so I had to look up the volume of an egg. According to one site, an average egg had 1-3/4 oz inside it. (3/4 oz of yolk & 1 oz of white). That makes me want to travel with a carton of eggs. I was thinking about hard boiling some or all of them to have fun with the TSA if they try to confiscate them.
Somebody mentioned traveling with eggs, so I had to look up the volume of an egg. According to one site, an average egg had 1-3/4 oz inside it. (3/4 oz of yolk & 1 oz of white). That makes me want to travel with a carton of eggs. I was thinking about hard boiling some or all of them to have fun with the TSA if they try to confiscate them.
Last edited by spd476; Sep 15, 2011 at 9:07 am Reason: spelling
Sep 15, 2011 | 9:35 am
#18
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This does seem like the first question.
However (and I admit my knowledge of pumpkins is pretty sparse) isn't there a lot of seed stuff in the center that COULD be construed as liquidy...?
Sep 15, 2011 | 9:50 am
#19
Join Date: Jun 2010
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2 years ago I saw an older Hispanic man at IAH taking a watermelon through security. He had made a handle from some rope and used duct tape to hold it in place. Didn't seem to be an issue!
And about 8 years ago I saw a guy trying to check a weed eater as luggage but he got rejected!
And about 8 years ago I saw a guy trying to check a weed eater as luggage but he got rejected!
Sep 15, 2011 | 10:11 am
#20
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Many years ago (late 1980s) a relative of mine carried a Durian out of BKK. That being Thailand and before the security hysteria, wasn't a problem.
Now that OP has brought the topic up, I'm tempted to pack a pumpkin on my next trip.
Now that OP has brought the topic up, I'm tempted to pack a pumpkin on my next trip.
Sep 15, 2011 | 1:24 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2009
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No, the title is not a typo. Seriously. I grow pumpkins in my backyard. I'm flying to see family and want to take them one. I don't want to check it. Do you think there's any problem carrying a roughly 20lb squash onboard an airplane? My concern is not so much AA--the thing's gonna be in a large backpack--but more with security--does a pumpkin contain liquid? Could it be used as a weapon?
Sep 15, 2011 | 1:46 pm
#23
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I have seen more than a few passengers carry pumpkins, watermelons, etc., through checkpoints. My only advice is to remove it from your carry-on luggage (if thats what you will carry it in) and submit it in a bin by itself. As another FT member noted, I too have seen passengers attach ropes/strings to their pumpkins/watermelons to better carry the item. Just don't drop it
OP, no pumpkin. It can be turned into pumpkin pie, which seems to pop up as a confiscated item every so often.
Mike
Sep 15, 2011 | 2:05 pm
#24
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I have carried some of those cute baby pumpkins in my carry-on with no problem.
I have had canned pumpkin confiscated by TSA.
Pumpkins are not fruit, they are vegetables (the squash family).
I have had canned pumpkin confiscated by TSA.
Pumpkins are not fruit, they are vegetables (the squash family).
Sep 15, 2011 | 2:32 pm
#25
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I saw a bunch of those two-pack tourist boxes of pineapples on the baggage carousel a few weeks ago at LAX coming in from HNL with gate-check tags, which suggests to me that TSA was OK with it but the gate agents weren't. Could have been space issues as the flight was full.
Personally I'd rather be attacked with a pumpkin than a pineapple. So I'd think you're OK, to a point.
Personally I'd rather be attacked with a pumpkin than a pineapple. So I'd think you're OK, to a point.
Sep 15, 2011 | 3:44 pm
#26
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OP - I think SATTSO is absolutely correct here - I have never had a problem taking whole fruits/vegetables through security. Definitely take it out of your bag and put it in a separate bin - if they decide to do a secondary screening of the pumpkin, you don't really want them pawing through everything else in your carry-on.
As far as AA, I would say that if you are not on an Eagle flight, you will probably be OK. You should easily be able to fit the pumpkin under the seat in front of you. Tell them it's your 'personal item'. Or get a letter from a mental health professional saying it's an emotional support pumpkin.
Last edited by janetdoe; Sep 15, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Sep 15, 2011 | 9:07 pm
#27
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Sep 16, 2011 | 11:38 am
#29
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(and not all watermelons are huge, some are relatively small!)And I have to be honest - I have often joked with passengers that I have to "confiscate" their pies when I see them during the holidays. Never have done it (I know it has happened), but the reactions of the passengers is sort of funny. No complaints yet.
Sep 16, 2011 | 2:13 pm
#30
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Um, I didn't see it as hysterical. String can be pretty tough, more so wrapped around something many times. But if I see it again, I'll try my best to honor your request! (and not all watermelons are huge, some are relatively small!)
And I have to be honest - I have often joked with passengers that I have to "confiscate" their pies when I see them during the holidays. Never have done it (I know it has happened), but the reactions of the passengers is sort of funny. No complaints yet.
(and not all watermelons are huge, some are relatively small!)And I have to be honest - I have often joked with passengers that I have to "confiscate" their pies when I see them during the holidays. Never have done it (I know it has happened), but the reactions of the passengers is sort of funny. No complaints yet.
Mike