slo’s WEDNESDAY 3/5 poll - Bringing Your Own Hot Food/Takeout On Your Flight ✈️

[LuvOrlando]

Hot food and travel isn't a thing for us & airport food is not even on par with the franchises - not sure how they operate but something is different between airport and non airport. We/I used to just love a Big Mac or a fast food egg sandwich on fight days for a treat but they got way too expensive for what it is and they are so salty and high calorie now, so I changed.

Favorite travel food is either a home made egg sandwich or egg in the AM or a home made chicken cutlet sandwich with lettuce and cheese or just a cutlet right before leaving home with a close airport same in the car before we leave. Both options are very filling for hours and hours and limit irritability. I love it because I can make a big batch and leave half the batch in the freezer for dinner when we get back home. If I think there is a good chance for a delay or a long flight I'll grab everyone an extra sandwich in the airport that can sit a while.

I always grab a bottled water before a flight so I can take my migraine medicine no matter what's going on, I don't wanna be restricted from taking care of myself and I hear about people getting stuck

 

[Karalee402]

I always bring snacks for my kiddos, but nothing with a strong smell. I'll never forget flying across the country once with a passenger who brought a tuna salad sandwich on board. No joke! It was the worst experience ever!

 

[monsterkitty]

The last 5 years or so, all of our flights have been longer than 4 hours. We always take the earliest flight out, so we eat breakfast at McDonalds before getting on the plane. It's not a vacation unless I can eat my yearly sausage and egg biscuit.

You can take a frozen water bottle through TSA. It has to be completely frozen with no water. I also pack a lunch for us, such as turkey sandwiches, carrots, celery, grapes, etc to eat on the longer flights. I use my lunch bag from work to keep the bottle frozen.

As the water melts in the bottle, you will have a bottle of cool water when you get to your destination.

 

[CdnCarrie]

We have taken sandwiches and declared the meat at customs. I've taken bagel breakfasts (cheese and bacon) for early morning flights.

 

[lovesmurfs]

I travel fairly frequently, but I usually leave enough time to eat before getting on the plane. I'm one of those people who would rather have lots of margin and sit at the airport than be worried about time (maybe that's another @slo poll!).

I've recently had some challenging connections and had to grab a wrap and chips while galloping to the gate. Always cold sandwiches -- never something hot because of the smell.

 

[_19disnA]

Have never brought hot food from home to eat on an airplane, can be too much of a hassle with TSA and likely will be cold by the time you eat it. I do bring snacks from home and will buy something in the terminal from one of the many places that sell food. Food served by the airlines is often expensive, unpredictable and not very good. Depending on the length of the flight, all they might serve is a small bag of pretzels/peanuts unless you are in first class. Better to buy a sandwich, pizza or salad in the terminal prior to boarding and eat during the flight.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Personally, I never bring takeout on domestic flights since I tend to fly short jaunts like NYC to FL. Other members of my family do buy takeout and I tend not to pay attention to what they are getting.

I get takeout when traveling overseas depending on what airline it is: BA and KLM are takeout moments for me.

 

[mjkacmom]

Not sure how you define “hot food” but I’ve often picked up something handheld at the concessions near the departure gates and carried it on. I’ve also sat with/near countless others doing the same thing. I see nothing wrong with this at all. And I’m a little confused by the poll choice of “brought it from home”. How would you get a hot, homemade meal through security? If they won’t let you take a tube of toothpaste, I doubt they would allow a Tupperware full of roast beef and mashed potatoes.

You can bring most food through security, I usually have a bagel and cream cheese, east to transport, not stinky, and very filling. It’s the drunks that are an issue.

 

[lovin'fl]

We never do and never will. It can be gross to smell people's food in the tight quarters as they are. We were just on the Brightline from Miami to Orlando and someone had their own meal near us and it gagged us with the strong smell.

 

[slo]

Not sure how you define “hot food” but I’ve often picked up something handheld at the concessions near the departure gates and carried it on. I’ve also sat with/near countless others doing the same thing. I see nothing wrong with this at all. And I’m a little confused by the poll choice of “brought it from home”. How would you get a hot, homemade meal through security? If they won’t let you take a tube of toothpaste, I doubt they would allow a Tupperware full of roast beef and mashed potatoes.

When I was looking into this for the poll, I was surprised that you could bring something hot from home, but I think it has to meet a certain criteria. I'm not sure about roast beef and mashed potatoes, but I would think the roast beef would pass through security. One could also bring a hot grilled cheese, chicken nuggets and other things like that. Seems like a lot of hassle, but sometimes saving money may be worth the hassle. I'll just stick to munching on some dry cereal, pretzels or other things like that .

 

[EACarlson]

I've done it if I have a connection somewhere, or if I'm leaving so early I don't have time to actually eat before boarding. I've had occasions where my flight is 0555 and the restaurant doesn't open until 0530. I'll buy my breakfast, but wait to eat until above 10k ft. Anytime I fly through ORD, I have to stop at Rick Bayless' Tortas Frontera. With a 40 minute connection, I don't have time to eat it before I have to be on the plane. I'm also a diabetic, so I can't necessarily just wait and get to where I'm going to eat.

How would you get a hot, homemade meal through security? If they won’t let you take a tube of toothpaste, I doubt they would allow a Tupperware full of roast beef and mashed potatoes.

Under TSA rules, you can certainly bring roast beef and mash potatoes, but only 3.4 fl oz of gravy.

 

[evilmommie]

No. I don’t bring hot meals on my flights. Have sat next to many people that have brought food on the plane…for the most part it hasn’t bothered me. People have to eat and they usually do it pretty quickly to get rid of the trash.

I like to bring light snacks..apples, cheese sticks, protein bars, nuts.

 

[MIGrandma]

I have never taken hot food on the plane. I buy a snack or two before boarding, and water or tea.

 

[georgina]

Your poll doesn't distinguish between hot food and takeout. If I am flying domestically more than 4 hours I will get a sandwich (takeout) from an airport place but not hot food. I will bring fruit and snacks too.

 

[tvguy]

Almost impossible NOT to bring food on board if you are traveling with kids. Your fellow passengers will be a whole lot more upset by "hangry" children on the plane than the food.
We always have snacks with us. Sometimes we buy fast food in the airport to bring on board, most frequently if it is a connecting flight.
Not sure how I could bring hot food from home on a flight. If you need to be at the airport two hours before a domestic flight, three hours before an international flight, plus another hour travel time to the airport, it sure wouldn't still be hot by the time of the flight!

 

[E&Cmom]

Never hot food. We like to get to the airport early so will eat there before getting on the plane.

 

[CynBeth]

Not usually.

 

[NYCgrrl]

With today’s modern coolers, it’s easy to bring hot food most anywhere.
This one is a great price and keeps food warm for a decent amt. of time (half a day):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPSDJ4KT?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

 

[mrsstats79]

Depending on the time of day and length of trip we will bring a sandwich or bagel. Never hot food.