Traveling With Thanksgiving Food? Here’s What TSA Allows

PHOTO COURTESY TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Pittsburgh International Airport’s new landside terminal — which has been officially open for just seven days — will be handling its busiest week yet, with an expected 300,000 passengers traveling through the airport over the next six days, a 10.5% boost over last year’s Thanksgiving holiday number. Sunday will be the busiest day, with 43,000 expected to pass through the airport.

While the new high-tech scanners for the Transportation Security Administration no longer require passengers to take out laptops, electronics or liquids (3.4 ounces or less) from their bags, some of the foods that travelers may be taking to their Thanksgiving-day destinations could jam up the lines.

Do you know what you’re allowed to bring in your carry-on bags vs. your checked luggage?

Here’s the golden rule: Airline passengers carrying items that can spill, spread, spray, pump or pour and are larger than 3.4 ounces should pack those in checked luggage.

THE NEW TERMINAL AT PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FACES ITS FIRST BIG TEST THIS WEEK AS THOUSANDS OF THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY TRAVELERS ARE EXPECTED TO PASS THROUGH THE AIRPORT. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

Here are some examples of holiday food you can carry through a TSA checkpoint:

• Baked goods – Homemade or store-bought pies, cakes, cookies, brownies, and other sweet treats.
• Meats – Turkey, chicken, ham, steak (frozen, cooked, or uncooked).
• Stuffing – Cooked or uncooked, in a box or bag.
• Casseroles – Solid casseroles can be brought in carry-on or checked luggage. However, casseroles with liquid or semi-liquid components (e.g., soups, sauces, or gravy) must comply with TSA’s 3-1-1 liquids rule. Each liquid or semi-liquid item must be in a container of 3.4 ounces or less and fit into a single quart-sized, clear, resealable plastic bag.
• Mac ‘n Cheese – Must be solid and already cooked in a pan, or passengers may travel with the ingredients to cook at their destination.
• Fresh vegetables – Examples include potatoes, yams, broccoli, green beans, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, beets, radishes, carrots, squash and greens.
• Fresh fruit – Examples include apples, pears, pineapple, lemons, limes, cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, bananas and kiwi.
• Candy
• Spices

PHOTO COURTESY TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Here are some examples of holiday food that should be in your checked luggage.

• Cranberry sauce – Homemade or canned, as it is spreadable.
• Gravy – Homemade or in a jar/can.
• Canned fruits or vegetables – Items in liquid-filled cans or jars should be packed in checked luggage.
• Preserves, jams, and jellies – Spreadable items must be checked.
• Maple syrup

More details are available at the TSA website or you could download the myTSAapp. You can also ask questions via Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA, or by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).

If this is your first trip to the airport since it opened, be sure to review information about departures and arrivals and parking. Parking fees are cheaper if you book online at ParkatPIT.com.

If you’re picking up a loved one and can’t park to go inside the airport, there’s a new dedicated Free Wait Lot (or cellphone lot) near the entrance of the airport property. You can park in this lot for free for an hour.