Transporting cookies while flying?

[MaggieTheCat]

So, we are flying to visit my husband's family for Christmas. I would like to bake a bunch of cookies before we leave to bring as gifts. Does anyone have any recommendations as to what the best way to transport them would be? Like, what kind of containers to use and such? I do make some "fragile" type cookies, like rolled cut-out sugar cookies, which I'm sure would break if I didn't package them well and then put them in our checked luggage. Will airport security let us bring it in our carry-on luggage?

[CoffeeMonkey]

I don't know anything about airline restrictions on food and whatnot, but my instinct would be to pack them in layers with bubble wrap so that they're nice and cushioned.

[Jester]

I don't see why they would be a problem in your checked luggage. When I went out to San Fran last year, I brought a bottle of rum for my host in my checked luggage, and I made a point of telling the ticketing agent this, and since it was in my checked luggage (surrounded by clothes to protect it, of course), it was all cool.

That's just my take on it.

[It shouldn't]

I make a bunch of cookies every year and send them to the troops (my daughters unit).

I pack them in those Glad ware containers. Just stack them in there in layers, with maybe some wax paper in between them. I fill in the open spaces inside the containers and around the cookies with air-popped popcorn (un-flavored and un-salted).
So far most of them seem to have survived the trips. One box was even air dropped.

So if you pack them in tupperware with the popcorn and stash the containers between your clothing in the checked luggage, it should be fine.

[HYHYBT]

The trouble with checking them is that security might eat them. Could you possibly mail them instead?

[MaggieTheCat]

The trouble with checking them is that security might eat them. Could you possibly mail them instead?

Seriously? Yeah, we could mail them, we were just trying to avoid shipping charges since we're flying there anyway.

[KiaKat]

You should be able to carry them on as long as there's no liquid or gel (not sure what they'd think of jelly-filled). Large tupperware, layered with bubblewrap, then packed into a bag that fits overhead should do the job. If you're going to pack them, put them in a hard-sided tupperware in the middle of the suitcase, surrounded by clothes. Make sure you have one large tupperware rather than multiple small ones, as the smaller ones will allow for more movement, and therefore more possible breakage of the cookies. Line the container with bubblewrap, then layer cookies and bubblewrap. That should help.

[draggar]

You should be able to carry them on as long as there's no liquid or gel (not sure what they'd think of jelly-filled).

The local airport here made me throw away two Egg McMuffins I bought to eat in the airport.

[KiaKat]

*blinks*

I've never had a problem at JFK, Laguardia, Newark, Logan, Atlanta, Orlando, SFO, or Philly. I have food allergies, so I have to bring my own travel food, usually in ziplocks, and they've never given me any hassle.

[MaggieTheCat]

The airport in my tiny little hometown of less than 10,000 people makes you toss all food before you board. Nothing gets through security.

The airport here in San Antonio lets me bring granola bars and stuff like that. My husband brought homemade cookies with him once when he went on a business trip.

He had a few of those cookies left at the end of his trip, and on his way home from (I think) Boston, they made him toss them before they'd let him through security.

Like I mentioned, the airport where I live now has never given either of us trouble with bringing food on board, so hopefully I can bring a bunch of cookies...I'll probably call them first and ask, though.

[taxguykarl]

The airport in my tiny little hometown of less than 10,000 people makes you toss all food before you board. Nothing gets through security.
...
Like I mentioned, the airport where I live now has never given either of us trouble with bringing food on board, so hopefully I can bring a bunch of cookies...I'll probably call them first and ask, though.

I vote for shipping them. The cost should more than even out for the hassle.

[lupo pazzesco]

When I flew back from EL Paso to Houston, i was able to bring back some hatch chili peppers for EQ with me in a plastic baggie from the grocery store. I don't see why they wouldn't let you bring them, if you're able to run them through the x-ray machine first. That's what the did with the chilies.

[BookstoreEscapee]

My mom used to send me cookies packed in bubble wrap (for popping, of course) when I was in college.

I've never flown with food (except Life Savers and gum)...last time I flew was in the summer of 2001, anyway, so I didn't have to deal with all the extra security.

[Jester]

The trouble with checking them is that security might eat them.

While I am not exactly always impressed with the security staff, I doubt they are going to eat cookies if they are checked and inside your luggage. Since, you know, that means they would have to go into your luggage, rummage around till they found the cookies, then take them out of the luggage to eat them...thus exposing themselves and the airlines/airport to a serious lawsuit. Sorry, just don't see it.

The local airport here made me throw away two Egg McMuffins I bought to eat in the airport.

Most airports I have been to will not allow you to bring any kind of food through security checkpoints. Food you buy outside of the checkpoint you need to consume outside of it, but you can consume anything inside the checkpoint that you bought inside the checkpoint.

This, however, is a completely different kettle of fish than food going in checked luggage. (Important note: security will not, under any circumstances, allow you to go through the checkpoint with an actual kettle of fish. Don't ask how I know this....let's just say it was a very wet and awkward day of traveling.)