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Carrying marinated beef on a plane...?

Carrying marinated beef on a plane...?

Old Nov 12, 2013, 8:52 pm
  #1  
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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.
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Old Nov 12, 2013, 10:01 pm
  #2  
 
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Originally Posted by Zeromus-X
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.
What makes you think you couldn't check this item frozen?

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.
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Old Nov 12, 2013, 10:37 pm
  #3  
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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*
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Old Nov 12, 2013, 10:49 pm
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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.
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Old Nov 12, 2013, 11:40 pm
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Marinated beef on a plane...?

After seeing the title of this thread I was hoping that it was some variation of Snakes on a Plane, but apparently not.
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Old Nov 13, 2013, 7:06 am
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If you do, make sure that you add contribution in this list:

What was the weirdest thing you took aboard as a carry-on?
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Old Nov 13, 2013, 9:56 am
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People check frozen food all the time, with longer flight times, with no problem. For fun watch all the coolers being checked in for flights to/from Alaska.
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Old Nov 13, 2013, 10:04 am
  #8  
 
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Originally Posted by Zeromus-X
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*
You should be fine if its frozen and stored in a cooler. I've done it many times. If you decide to use dry ice, make sure you visit your airline's webpage and verify the quantity you can pack. I think the limit is something like 2kg but I can't remember. Also zdave is right, it needs a sticker stating that your package contains dry ice. Also might need a special box.
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Old Nov 14, 2013, 6:43 pm
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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. :/
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Old Nov 14, 2013, 7:05 pm
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Originally Posted by Zeromus-X
I don't have much hope. :/
Weeeell, you can start sharing it with your fellow travellers and have a really good time...
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