Flying with alcohol

[Markiscool]

Hi gang.

I'm out of town on business and flying back home tomorrow afternoon. I've found a few beers here that I can't get back home and I was wondering about the legality of flying with booze in my checked bags. If I pad them enough, is that ok? Or am I going to get flagged with this. The reason I can't get them back home is due to the alcohol content, so would I be setting myself up for trouble?

-M

[DRR]

Legally you're fine. I've found though that most airlines ask that they're packed better than just wrapped in t-shirts. I've had counter agents ask. Their concern is nothing more than breakage, and then damage to other people's stuff.

Generally though those guidelines are for more expensive bottles of liquor. A couple of beers - I'd say pack them well and wrap in plastic and go for it.

Still subject to TSA search if they care to, but there's nothing illegal about it.

[dmann]

Some wine shops and nicer liquor stores sell "wine diapers". They are a few bucks but they work well and are reusable. I have done the "wrap in clothing" thing and it is fine, but if you can find some of the padded bags locally before you go, it might be worth the peace of mind.

Here's some from Amazon to give you an idea:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1...lias%3Daps&field-keywords=wine+diaper

DM

[OWC Jamie]

You could check the airline's packaging rules and recommendations.
Southwest (at least used to have) a 5 liter limit and wants any broken mess to be retained inside your own bag.
Packaging can be purchased just for this intended purpose, some of the duty free shops even provide the best packaging for this exact purpose, but I've never tried it.

If you're going through customs and immigrations make sure you declare them.

[DRR]

That's a good question - is this an international flight?

What do you mean you "can't get them back home due to alcohol content?"

This is beer right? (There are certain limitations on alcohol content but they're for hard alcohol - 140+ proof. )

[mikebw]

Anything over 100 proof is flammable so that might be a reason they could not want to allow it. Not sure if anyone cares that much though.

[freeradical]

So, you can check large quantities of fluid, but you can't carry them on?

[DRR]

freeradical wrote:
So, you can check large quantities of fluid, but you can't carry them on?

Yes. Up to a limit of course.

[Ombligo]

freeradical wrote:
So, you can check large quantities of fluid, but you can't carry them on?

That has been an issue with overseas connecting flights. Passengers buy duty free liquor overseas, it is delivered to them at the gate and they fly back to to the US, go through customs, etc with no issue UNTIL they go to board their connecting flight to another US city. Then that same bottle is not allowed because it is too much liquid for carryon. They didn't find out until their bags were rechecked in.

End result - good liquor in the trash (where it was quickly snarfed up by airport employees)

[freeradical]

DRR wrote:
[quote=freeradical]
So, you can check large quantities of fluid, but you can't carry them on?

Yes. Up to a limit of course.
A few years ago, some TSA thug wouldn't let me bring an almost empty container of toothpaste in my carry on bag.