I got a couple of little Jack Daniels from a pervious flight and would like to bring them on my upcoming flight to save $6 . Would TSA take this away from me?

It's fine to bring through security as long as the bottles fit in the Kippie bag and each bottle is 3.4oz or less.

Note that it's a violation federal law to consume alcohol on board unless a flight attendant serves it to you.* So, if you wanted to drink your self-provided alcohol, you would need to give the bottles to the FA so that she can pour the alcohol into cups for you. I know that several FTers do so regularly without a problem--though it tends to be in premium cabins where pax want to consume their duty-free purchases, not in coach where pax want to avoid paying $6 a drink.

I imagine it would be easier to find a cooperative FA when traveling up front.

(*In some countries, it's more strict. Under Canadian law, the aircraft operator must provide the alcohol, in addition to serving it. You cannot provide your own for on-board consumption.)

You'll be fine, provided they're in a clear zip-lock type bag when you go through security. As for consuming them onboard, most airlines have policies prohibiting the self-service of alcohol, but if done discreetly I suspect you'll be fine.

-FlyerBeek

as long as they are under 100 ml... you won't have any problem... in theory, only FAs can serve you alcohol, but if you are discrete, you can serve your self, or simply enjoy a "diet coke bottle"..

I once had 6 mini bottles, and the TSA was looking at it with a thirsty look, so I simply told them... all the bottles are under 100ml... and the MR went by faster

When in coach, I always bring my own mini bottles thru security. Never any problem at security or with discrete consumption in coach on board.

I was aware that FAA regulations provide that the cabin attendants have to pour for you (supposedly so that they can monitor for possible overconsumption, a possible "safety" concern).

The more interesting issue is consumption of duty free liquor on board. On a recent trip back stateside from Cancun, I consumed half of one of my bottles of tequila by simply sticking the neck thru the "bonded" bag that you are given when boarding. Is this a customs violation?

No, because while on board and in the air on an internationl flight, you are consuming outside of any country's jurisdiction that could levy taxes/duty. The whole idea of "duty free" sales is that you are obtaining something that is not subject to taxes/duty because you immediately export it upon receiving it, and do NOT consume it in the country where you purchased it.

Upon arrival, you would still owe tax/duty on the FULL value of the bottle, even if half of it were empty. If you prefer to discard the bottle and forfeit its remaining contents before customs inspection (or on board), you would not owe any taxes/duty because you would not be bringing it into the country.

I've done this several times, up to 6 mini's in my Kippy bag, through many different US airports and TSA checkpoints. Never a problem.

If I'm "up front" I'm drinking their stuff. It's one of the few bennies left in air travel.

Agreed that you can get them through as long as they fit withing the Freedom Baggie guidelines. I do it all the time because I like to enjoy a nightcap in the hotel room without paying an arm and a leg for Room Service.

As for drinking it on the plane- well, an FA actually has to see you do it, which means they have to be passing through the aisles paying attention to the pax. In Coach class on a typical airline, no worries on that front.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.167 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Great question OP -

I was trying to do this recently, but my father consumed the beverage in the hotel room since he thought it wasn't permissable

A few mini bottles of Jack have accompanied me as part of my liquid bags for a while now. I've never had any problems with TSA or security in europe or australia, generally they'll see the bottles in my liquids bag and smile. I've even handed an empty mini bottle back to a FA with no questions asked. I end up drinking them at my destination more often than on the plane. A drink on the airline is expensive, but cheap compared to most mini bars.

Or that's what he told you when you accosted him for drinking it.

I remember some on board announcements (but not recently), on United that you could only consume alcohol from their stock, not your own privately held alcohol that you bring on board. Did they change that regulation to now allow you to consume your own alcohol as long as a FA pours it for you?

No, the rule has always been stated as "The only alcohol you can consume on board is that served to you by an FA". In theory it's always been possible to have an FA legally serve you from your own stash. Getting one to do it may be another matter. I've never tried it.

Hey, you could always say a FA on a previous flight gave you a �goodie bag� to take with you. Of course it helps if the mini is not something like Boone�s Farm Wild Raspberry Schnapps.