The TSA, a box of Chocolates and 2000 miles...
 

Howdy,

Need some fast advice here...

I've got a stunning, hard-core amazing box of chocoates (physically beautiful - some look like minature art glass).

Anyway - I've gotta get these through 2 flights tommorow. Here are my concerns:

1. Can I take them through airport security?
2. If I check them - will the temperature in cargo cause them to bloom? (I'm flying MD80 SFO-ORD and an RJ ORD-CMI).

Thanks much...gotta get packing soon - any advice would be appreciated.

Keep the faith,

Pakse

Moving to TS/S Forum
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

In terms of temperature I wouldn't worry about it, here in MKE it was terribly cold today. Holds are pressurized, so I think they would be fine in you checked baggage, provided you trust the TSA not to enjoy them.

I would carry them on. Never check fragile things. Just state that they are solid food and not liquids if any question arises - which I doubt it will.

If you check the goods....

It will probably come over as an opaque item, meaning they will have to open your bag. And given the sticky fingers problem, and the fact that it's good-looking food, I'd say it'd be gone.


If you carry-on....

They will likely ask if there's any sort of creme filling in any of them. If there isn't any, they'll be fine. Just get ready for the stupid "oh you brought me lunch" comments.

Chocolate "blooming" (the butterfat rises to the surface, leaving a white or off white patina to the chocolate) is a function of temerature fluctuations, not pressure gradients. Chocolate that is repeatedly heated and cooled will bloom. My worry is that they will decide that they are too dense and will not allo you to carry them on. They will also probably demand that you break the seal and allow them to inspect them.

Good luck, please update this with whatoyu wind up doing and how your incredible edibles make it through!

--PP

Are you talking about the chocolate or the screener?

Why would density be an issue? People carry on all sorts of items far more dense than chocolate. Plus, you're not talking about solid kilos of chocolate here, but "works of art".

You shouldn't have any problem. Even boxes of chocolate covered cherries and liquor-filled Lindt bars from the duty free make it through just fine.

I remember when this ratcheted up security nonsense took effect they were begging people not to pack foodstuffs, especially cheese and fudge, because the density of these items looked like the signature of plastic explosives on their X-ray machines.

--PP

I remember as well. And it's been ages since I've heard any report of this "problem" in a while.

That's what I love about Roulette Security: you never know which previously non-credible threat while be demonized this week. :mad: