UPS707 From United States, joined Sep 2004, 287 posts, RR: 0 Posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 3850 times:
OK... Here's the deal. Normally when we leave the house, my wife packs a thermos of whole milk for our 15month old daughter so that she has milk that isn't cold or bad. Anyway, we're flying next Thursday and we've been checking out the TSA regs and I'm totally confused. According to TSA, they quote formula, breast milk and juice as OK in more than 3 oz, but don't call out milk. I found a link on AAs website that does specify milk is OK. So here's my question to get real world opinions of this rather than what's written since I can't quite decipher it.
1) Will milk be allowed through Security?
2) If so, would the thermos be an acceptable container?
3) If no to 1 or 2, Do airlines (HA specifically) have whole milk available on their flights and would we be able to get that before takeoff so she can suck on a bottle during climb? (It might take one of our HA related members for that one)
Anyway, thanks for any info you guys have since it will make my travelling life a lot easier if I can get a decent answer to give the wife.
Ikramerica From United States, joined May 2005, 15875 posts, RR: 49 Reply 1, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 3776 times:
In my experience, not all airlines have whole milk. Some only have it on longer flights or on flights with breakfast. A lot of times if they have milk, it would be 2%.
But an alternative is to buy milk in the terminal after security. It should be readily available, and if you bring an empty thermos, you can fill it then.
Have fun in Hawaii!
Of all the things to worry about... the Wookie has no pants.
Lasflyer From United States, joined Apr 2008, 14 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 3709 times:
I say bring the milk. Tell them it is breast milk. I don't think any security agents would have the nerve to question you.
There are a few other alternatives, though. One is having a physician write a note saying that milk is an essential part of your child's diet. Another way to do it is fill up a regulation size bag with 3oz or smaller containers that all have milk. Load them into the bottle past security.
Also consider that milk is very likely available at a concession stand past security. Finding whole milk may be a challenge, though.
Geo772 From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2004, 449 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 3506 times:
A thermos might not be allowed through security, however if the milk is in a babies bottle then there is unlikely to be much of a probblem, you might have to sample it yourself though.
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Mauiman31 From United States, joined Sep 2007, 250 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 3274 times:
Cartons of milk used to be a standard stock on the bev cart/list for most US carriers, but long gone for most. (Easy cost saver because of expiration and refrigeration required.) You still might be able to get it if your flying in F, but don't count on that 100% either. I like milk with my coffee in the morning, so routinely just buy it post security and carry it on. But, if you want to make sure you have specific milk for your child, I can't imagine that you could not get it through security in some of the ways suggested above.
Type-Rated From United States, joined Sep 1999, 1917 posts, RR: 30 Reply 7, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 3091 times:
Why don't you try calling the airline and ask them if there will be milk on board the aircraft or can you request it as a "special meal"? That might be worth a shot.
Fly North Central Airlines..The route of the Northliners!
DocLightning From United States, joined Nov 2005, 3650 posts, RR: 13 Reply 8, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 2947 times:
Honestly, speaking as a pediatrician, there's no reason she needs that much milk during the flight. You can bring solid foods and water.
People get all uppity about milk and their babies, but if she gets 2% or whatever it won't hurt her for a day or two. Milk is, it turns out, not all that great for kids, anyway.
HA_DC9 From United States, joined Jul 1999, 541 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 2820 times:
Quoting UPS707 (Thread starter): If no to 1 or 2, Do airlines (HA specifically) have whole milk available on their flights and would we be able to get that before takeoff so she can suck on a bottle during climb? (It might take one of our HA related members for that one)
I have seen HA have milk available on their trans-pac 767 flights, but I do not remember if it was 2% or whole. I would recommend what lkramerica said and buy the milk after security.
OOer From United States, joined Oct 2005, 1041 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 2807 times:
Here at DL we only have 2% milk. The only difference betweend whole milk and 2% milk is that whole milk has about 3.4% fat and 2% has....well 2%. You can purchase milk almost anywhere in the terminals...if you must have whole milk...just buy the 2% and get a couple of creamers...and shake the bottle a bit and you are up to 3.4% fat!!!!
FUN2FLY From United States, joined Dec 2006, 311 posts, RR: 1 Reply 11, posted (7 months 3 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 1217 times:
We have 2 kids of "milk" age. They have it on CO flights, mostly 2% but picked up a whole milk on the way back from PHX. If you are going out in the AM and its a breakfast flight, there will be plenty w/your cereal pack breakfast. If you are going at other times, you'll take a gamble in my opinion. For ages 6-12 mos where it's a pretty important part of their diet, I'd buy some post security (look around, most types available) and for those in the 1-3 yr range roll the dice, they can have juice or water w/o a problem. We've been lucky on US and UA flights, but don't take them frequently enough to know. NOTE: if going to MCO - forget it full of kids and they will run out!
TSA has never questioned formula for us at about 15 airports, but you know the rule with TSA - never is one thing interpreted the same way by any two agents.
Thanks to EWRCABINCREW who's helped me become a master at saving the $4 milk buy at the airport.
B4REAL From United States, joined Aug 2003, 2437 posts, RR: 6 Reply 12, posted (7 months 3 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 1176 times:
Subtle note for other travelers, but makes sense... I'll share a milk episode with the TSA.
Baby is 9 months old. Wife and I (not baby!) go on a trip to Jamaica on DL. We bring the pumping equipment and expressed milk. We had frozen reserves when baby was with home care. We pumped during the trip to keep the biological process going. TSA won't let you pass through the security checkpoint with these related supplies unless the baby is with you. Somewhat common sense, but also vague at times as the OP mentions.
UPS707 From United States, joined Sep 2004, 287 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (7 months 3 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 514 times:
Thanks for all the info guys. Essentially that is what I was expecting to and wanting to hear. I'm especially glad to get a confirmation that we'll be OK with 2% for a while. That's one of the things I was trying to figure out with my wife was if it was a big deal to go with the lower fat for the duration of the flight. I figured it would be not as filling, but as was also stated, that's where baby food and certain solid foods come in. We're going through SMF's Term A, so we've got the food court there, so getting milk won't be a problem at 8am, but the question was Whole vs 2%. Now I'm not caring about that as much as long as we have other stuff for her to eat.
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