FlyerTalk Forums - Okay to bring MRE's through TSA checkpoint?

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- - Okay to bring MRE's through TSA checkpoint? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-security-issues/659253-okay-bring-mres-through-tsa-checkpoint.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HSVTSO Dean (Post 10378107)

Very close! My wife is born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. It's one of many fun and interesting words that has rubbed off on me over the years we've been together.

I always thought they were saying yuns, short for you-uns ... brings back memories from living in that part of the world.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superguy (Post 10377977)

US serves food? :D

And they have a 17 hour flight?

:D Can you believe it? 5 1/2 hours LAS to PHL, 3 hour layover, and then 9 hours PHL-VCE. Same thing back. So there's BOB for the domestic portion and then US "free" food for the international portion. I'll eat at PHL but 9 hours is a long time.

I may not need food. Every time I think about these flights in coach, I get kind of queasy.

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Originally Posted by jennj99738 (Post 10377632)

Thanks, mwarden, for reporting back. Are you allowed to actually heat up one of those MREs with the heater on the plane? Or am I going to be met with the police on the other end?

I have a 17 hour trip coming up on US. I would rather eat one of the MREs than what US claims is food.

Definitely didn't try that one, but I'm assuming the chances of the FA or passengers freaking out are relatively high (even if it is allowed). For the most part, heating them up can be done quietly, but in the initial heating some steam does shoot out of the heater. Also, you may look like a mad scientist as you put your salt water into the heating bag, potentially making your fellow passengers uncomfortable.

So in my opinion: even if it's allowed, you've got a 50-50 chance of being considered "a disruption" and you won't have any idea if that will happen until you try it and the passengers and FA react. Not really worth the risk, I wouldn't think.

(It's a shame that I even have to write the above. Really shows where things are now in air travel and the THREAT LEVEL ORANGE!!!! days.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennj99738 (Post 10377632)

You definitely do NOT want to use a real FRH onboard! I'm quite sure that TSA (and by extension the FAs) are aware that the FRHs are only considered non-hazardous while in the original, sealed, outer MRE bag.

While I think it is (like most of the modern security theater) an overblown concern, it is true that the FRH gives off FLAMMABLE HYDROGEN GAS when it is used. That's the stinky smell, hydrogen sulfide. It isn't enough for more than a good 'whoosh' if you light it, but I can sort of see their point about not introducing clouds of uncontrolled flammable gas into the cabin inflight. :eek:

Now, that said, I haven't seen a FRH included with an MRE in almost ten years. Yes, they include a Heater now, but it is the NRH, for NON-FLAMMABLE Ration Heater. It is designed to NOT contain nearly as toxic a brew of chemicals, nor does it emit Hydrogen gas in use, only steam. But, hardly anyone can tell the difference, so don't expect to tell the FA "Wait, it's alright, this is an NRH, not an FRH!", cause she won't know the difference.

I recommend just eating the MRE entrees cold. They are designed to be completely safe, if not exactly scrumptious, when eaten cold.

And, cold MRE has still got to better than modern airline "food". :(

Futuristic