Carrying marinated beef on a plane...?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Programs: DL, HH, Bonvoy
Posts: 204
Carrying marinated beef on a plane...?
So here's one I'm guessing probably hasn't been asked here... or at least my searches aren't finding much.
There's a carniceria out here that has excellent ranchera preparada (marinated carne asada). I'm going to be visiting family this weekend across the country and would love to bring some. I have no problem picking up the beef tomorrow morning and freezing it until it's time to fly... and from what I've read, I could even carry that on the plane. However... the best part is the marinade that it sits in, and that's the part I can't figure out.
My original thought was to freeze the beef and marinade together in a bag and pack this in an Igloo style cooler inside my checked bag... but I have concerns about my bag getting lost and the beef thawing and... no.
Is that my only real option? Even in a frozen solid state I'm guessing I would not be able to include it in my checked baggage, correct?
I thought about separating the marinade and combining when I reach my destination but I'm still not sure how I'd safely get it back without worrying that a pressure change was going to cause a container to leak or explode.
There's a carniceria out here that has excellent ranchera preparada (marinated carne asada). I'm going to be visiting family this weekend across the country and would love to bring some. I have no problem picking up the beef tomorrow morning and freezing it until it's time to fly... and from what I've read, I could even carry that on the plane. However... the best part is the marinade that it sits in, and that's the part I can't figure out.
My original thought was to freeze the beef and marinade together in a bag and pack this in an Igloo style cooler inside my checked bag... but I have concerns about my bag getting lost and the beef thawing and... no.
Is that my only real option? Even in a frozen solid state I'm guessing I would not be able to include it in my checked baggage, correct?
I thought about separating the marinade and combining when I reach my destination but I'm still not sure how I'd safely get it back without worrying that a pressure change was going to cause a container to leak or explode.
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DEN
Programs: United, Marriott, Choice, Avis, Hertz
Posts: 271
So here's one I'm guessing probably hasn't been asked here... or at least my searches aren't finding much.
There's a carniceria out here that has excellent ranchera preparada (marinated carne asada). I'm going to be visiting family this weekend across the country and would love to bring some. I have no problem picking up the beef tomorrow morning and freezing it until it's time to fly... and from what I've read, I could even carry that on the plane. However... the best part is the marinade that it sits in, and that's the part I can't figure out.
My original thought was to freeze the beef and marinade together in a bag and pack this in an Igloo style cooler inside my checked bag... but I have concerns about my bag getting lost and the beef thawing and... no.
Is that my only real option? Even in a frozen solid state I'm guessing I would not be able to include it in my checked baggage, correct?
I thought about separating the marinade and combining when I reach my destination but I'm still not sure how I'd safely get it back without worrying that a pressure change was going to cause a container to leak or explode.
There's a carniceria out here that has excellent ranchera preparada (marinated carne asada). I'm going to be visiting family this weekend across the country and would love to bring some. I have no problem picking up the beef tomorrow morning and freezing it until it's time to fly... and from what I've read, I could even carry that on the plane. However... the best part is the marinade that it sits in, and that's the part I can't figure out.
My original thought was to freeze the beef and marinade together in a bag and pack this in an Igloo style cooler inside my checked bag... but I have concerns about my bag getting lost and the beef thawing and... no.
Is that my only real option? Even in a frozen solid state I'm guessing I would not be able to include it in my checked baggage, correct?
I thought about separating the marinade and combining when I reach my destination but I'm still not sure how I'd safely get it back without worrying that a pressure change was going to cause a container to leak or explode.
I have shipped and checked many food items over the last few years. I also receive many product samples that are shipped next day air. If thoroughly frozen and well packed, you would have no issues with this in a checked bag with a couple of gel packs inside for at least 16 hours. I would call the carniceria first and ask them to freeze it for you a day ahead just to make sure it is frozen solid. Then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, add the gel packs, and throw it in a cooler. Oh, and expect that TSA will search your bag.
Dry ice is also a possibility. If you were doing that you would probably need to FedEx the product instead, as that requires a special sticker on the box.
Most bags don't get lost or delayed so I wouldn't really worry about that unless you have tight connections or other risk factors. When the product arrives, check the temperature (<41F) just to be safe.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Programs: DL, HH, Bonvoy
Posts: 204
It's only eight hours of flight including the layover (which is not a close call - it's an hour and a half), so I probably don't have much to worry about. I'll likely pick up the stuff tomorrow morning and that gives me two days to freeze it... should be rock solid by then.
I guess my biggest concern is it thawing out in transit but I guess it's pretty cold in the storage area this time of year. *shrug*
I guess my biggest concern is it thawing out in transit but I guess it's pretty cold in the storage area this time of year. *shrug*
#4
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA plat, SPG gold
Posts: 721
Marinated beef on a plane...?
I regularly bring both frozen and thawed Mexican food back from LAX to IAD, mostly checked in. Few times I've carried it on as well with no questions ever being asked.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,892
If you do, make sure that you add contribution in this list:
What was the weirdest thing you took aboard as a carry-on?
What was the weirdest thing you took aboard as a carry-on?
#8
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: City of Angels
Programs: DL Kettle| HH Pot
Posts: 525
It's only eight hours of flight including the layover (which is not a close call - it's an hour and a half), so I probably don't have much to worry about. I'll likely pick up the stuff tomorrow morning and that gives me two days to freeze it... should be rock solid by then.
I guess my biggest concern is it thawing out in transit but I guess it's pretty cold in the storage area this time of year. *shrug*
I guess my biggest concern is it thawing out in transit but I guess it's pretty cold in the storage area this time of year. *shrug*
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Programs: DL, HH, Bonvoy
Posts: 204
We're about to really put this to the test. Frozen, packed with gel packs, wrapped in newspaper, in an insulated cooler. We are now going on hour 3 of flight delays due to computer problems with the plane, and a new plane is on its way.
I don't have much hope. :/
I don't have much hope. :/