TSA tells me my formula is an "unreasonable amount"

[origami]

I wouldn't bring that much for the flight alone but I do want to carry on everything I need for my entire trip. I hate checking bags. I think it's ridiculous that I or another family would be forced to check formula or other baby food because terrorists. Swab what I bring and check us out, fine. After you test it why does it matter to anyone if I fill up my carry-on with food pouches or formula or whatever.

[Willis Jackson]

OP, don't you live in NYC? So this was your return flight?

[stealthmom]

[irishbride2]

After reading the whole thread, it honestly sounds like you have some control issues and need to over prepare. It is your life, but I cannot imagine making such sweeping decisions because of the threat of inconvenience (such as never flying in the winter). Obviously your choice, so KOKO.

[sent]

Sept 5, 2014 1:19:03 GMT -5 Willis Jackson said:

OP, don't you live in NYC? So this was your return flight?

Across the river these days, but yes, this was the flight home.  So if it was cancelled or there were problems, we would still be at our destination, not at home.  

Duh that once I get to NYC, we can do whatever we need to get the baby her stuff and be fine.  If we aren't home yet, that means having to take a cab or rent a car to Walgreens and I just would rather not detour.

 

[sent]

Sept 5, 2014 4:45:48 GMT -5 irishbride2 said:

After reading the whole thread, it honestly sounds like you have some control issues and need to over prepare. It is your life, but I cannot imagine making such sweeping decisions because of the threat of inconvenience (such as never flying in the winter). Obviously your choice, so KOKO.

Being over prepared and not wanting to fly in the winter because I have no desire is a control issue?  

That's harsh.  

And no, I don't like inconveniencing myself much these days because with the baby, it makes inconveniences 10 times harder.   

[simpsongal]

"Goodfellas" ruined flying w/a baby for all of us....

[karinothing]

sent I am an over preparer and it is totally a control issue. I think over preparer is a typical syptom of a desire to be in control. Overpreparing makes me feel in control! I don't think it is a harsh statement, just reality. There is nothing wrong with needing to be in control

ALSO - WHY don't airports sell formula? That is kind of weird since it is something people could obviously need. They could sell those little power packets or something.


ALSO - If i was somehow stuck unable to leave an airport for days on end. I think my baby could drink WCM to survive the few days. But maybe I am a terrible mom lol. I add some OJ in there so he wouldn't get scurvy.

[runblondie26]

Sept 5, 2014 7:35:00 GMT -5 karinothing said:

ALSO - WHY don't airports sell formula? That is kind of weird since it is something people could obviously need. They could sell those little power packets or something.

I'm not touching the debate over what's an acceptable amount of formula, but had to add a +1,000 to this!

I never understood why they don't sell diapers either. You have a captive market that would pay whatever absurd amount you want to charge. I've been in that desperate place before and would have paid a mint for a single diaper.

[carolinagirl831]

As someone who exclusively ff my dd after 3 months and flown with her 8 times under one, I think the amount you brought us way excessive. I always brought extra but not 3 days worth!! And packed powder in my check on. It's good to be prepared, but come on!

[purplecow0206]

Sept 5, 2014 7:43:02 GMT -5 runblondie26 said:

Sept 5, 2014 7:35:00 GMT -5 karinothing said:

ALSO - WHY don't airports sell formula? That is kind of weird since it is something people could obviously need. They could sell those little power packets or something.

I'm not touching the debate over what's and acceptable amount of formula, but had to add a +1,000 to this!

I never understood why they don't sell diapers either. You have a captive market that would pay whatever absurd amount you want to charge. I've been in that desperate place before and would have paid a mint for a single diaper.

I've always wondered this as well. You can pay a mint for tampons or maxi pads at the airport, why not diapers and formula? You can't tell me that SOMEONE hasn't forgotten these items and have been frantic for anything that would work in a pinch.

[anna7602]

Sept 5, 2014 7:21:54 GMT -5 sent said:

Sept 5, 2014 1:19:03 GMT -5 Willis Jackson said:

OP, don't you live in NYC? So this was your return flight?

Across the river these days, but yes, this was the flight home.  So if it was cancelled or there were problems, we would still be at our destination, not at home.  

Duh that once I get to NYC, we can do whatever we need to get the baby her stuff and be fine.  If we aren't home yet, that means having to take a cab or rent a car to Walgreens and I just would rather not detour.

 

The Q70 and M60 buses from LGA airport go directly to neighborhoods with lots of Walgreens/Duane Reades. Ditto for the air train/E train from JFK and the train from Newark airport, in case you ever think your options are limited to staying at the airport for 3 days straight or having to deal with a car seat/cab/rental car. Bonus- if you're traveling with your SO, which it sounds like you are, you can send him out to get supplies and not move the baby at all!

[v]

Sept 5, 2014 7:43:02 GMT -5 runblondie26 said:

Sept 5, 2014 7:35:00 GMT -5 karinothing said:

ALSO - WHY don't airports sell formula? That is kind of weird since it is something people could obviously need. They could sell those little power packets or something.

I'm not touching the debate over what's an acceptable amount of formula, but had to add a +1,000 to this!

I never understood why they don't sell diapers either. You have a captive market that would pay whatever absurd amount you want to charge. I've been in that desperate place before and would have paid a mint for a single diaper.

I'm so glad I ventured over to MMM and saw this thread.

The Montreal airport has condom dispensers in the bathrooms.  I don't want to know what the captive market for that is, but at any rate, if that's a pressing airport need I'd think diapers should be even higher on the list.

I actually don't understand why we don't have small pharmacies in our larger airports.  The Boots shops at Heathrow always come in so handy for all sorts of things.  I'm sure they sell diapers (well, "nappies") and formula.

[sent]

Sept 5, 2014 7:53:17 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

The Q70 and M60 buses from LGA airport go directly to neighborhoods with lots of Walgreens/Duane Reades. Ditto for the air train/E train from JFK and the train from Newark airport, in case you ever think your options are limited to staying at the airport for 3 days straight or having to deal with a car seat/cab/rental car. Bonus- if you're traveling with your SO, which it sounds like you are, you can send him out to get supplies and not move the baby at all!

I took the Q33 for years to get to LGA.

I meant that if our flights were cancelled at an NYC airport, we'd just head over to our car and drive on home where I have a wall full of formula bottles.  

[frlcb]

Sept 5, 2014 8:00:22 GMT -5 v said:

Sept 5, 2014 7:43:02 GMT -5 runblondie26 said:

I'm not touching the debate over what's an acceptable amount of formula, but had to add a +1,000 to this!

I never understood why they don't sell diapers either. You have a captive market that would pay whatever absurd amount you want to charge. I've been in that desperate place before and would have paid a mint for a single diaper.

I'm so glad I ventured over to MMM and saw this thread.

The Montreal airport has condom dispensers in the bathrooms.  I don't want to know what the captive market for that is, but at any rate, if that's a pressing airport need I'd think diapers should be even higher on the list.

I actually don't understand why we don't have small pharmacies in our larger airports.  The Boots shops at Heathrow always come in so handy for all sorts of things.  I'm sure they sell diapers (well, "nappies") and formula.

Not only do they sell these things in Boots at the airports in the UK but you can pre-order the stuff you need and when you get to the airport you can pick it up. It is brilliant.

[jeaniebueller]

Does it even matter whether the amount she brought is considered excessive to some? It fucking baby formula. You should be able to bring as much as you want on your flight, provided it fits in your bag. Its a bunch of security theater to regulate that kind of thing.

And my outrage is towards the TSA because this type of stuff absolutely does not make us any safer.

[mpc]

Sept 5, 2014 8:00:22 GMT -5 v said:

Sept 5, 2014 7:43:02 GMT -5 runblondie26 said:

I'm not touching the debate over what's an acceptable amount of formula, but had to add a +1,000 to this!

I never understood why they don't sell diapers either. You have a captive market that would pay whatever absurd amount you want to charge. I've been in that desperate place before and would have paid a mint for a single diaper.

I'm so glad I ventured over to MMM and saw this thread.

The Montreal airport has condom dispensers in the bathrooms.  I don't want to know what the captive market for that is, but at any rate, if that's a pressing airport need I'd think diapers should be even higher on the list.

I actually don't understand why we don't have small pharmacies in our larger airports.  The Boots shops at Heathrow always come in so handy for all sorts of things.  I'm sure they sell diapers (well, "nappies") and formula.

I got stuck overnight at the houston airport once. I ended up sleeping in this big room they set up with ~100 cots. there were 2 people (strangers) sharing the cot next to me and they definitely got it on. There was a very awkward goodbye in the morning as they left for their separate flights lol.

[sent]

Sept 5, 2014 8:37:48 GMT -5 @fivedogs said:

Sept 5, 2014 8:02:09 GMT -5 sent said:

I took the Q33 for years to get to LGA.

I meant that if our flights were cancelled at an NYC airport, we'd just head over to our car and drive on home where I have a wall full of formula bottles.  

But yet you brought 20 bottles on the way back because you didn't want to seek out a Target.  To supplement your wall of formula bottles.  

I want to know how many of those Costco year-of-food-emergency-stash things you have. 

www.costco.com/9687-Total-Servings-1-Person-1-Year-Food-Storage.product.100003177.html

No, 20 on the way to the destination because I didn't want to find Target the minute we got there and they all fit so why not.  15 on the way back in case we got stuck at the airport.  I had 9 on the way back but I went to Target the night before our flight home to pick up an additional 6 because I'd rather go to Target while I still have the rental car than go under flight duress.  Though we were lucky and came home with only a 1 hour mechanical delay.  

I have none of the whatever you linked to Costco.  I worry about my baby who can not feed herself.  My husband and I can fend for ourselves.  

[leonard131]

Decide to watch the football game and not GBNC and I miss a great thread.

FF and frequent flyer here chiming in to add that is excessive.   We brought enough to cover a day and just hopped for the best. Normally would have ready to feed shipped to where ever we were staying.   But then again I am  "breezy" .  I hate checking luggage and can't imagine lugging that much stuff through an airport.  That would be causing me more stress.  Especially if I was on my way home.

[Cicero]

To be completely fair, if I was hauling 120 oz of anything in addition to a kid onto a plane with me I probably wouldn't want to fly in winter either. Or ever.

[sent]

Sept 5, 2014 8:52:17 GMT -5 @fivedogs said:

That was a joke.  But the dramatics are entertaining.

You asked, I answered.

Former pre-kid frequent flier and current FF signing off for now.  DD is up and rolling and has discovered there are rooms to explore beyond the living room.  Glad to have my non-breezy self contribute to keeping MMM interesting.  Now back to our regularly scheduled discussions of pouches and car seats.  

[jasontracy]

Sept 5, 2014 8:33:05 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Does it even matter whether the amount she brought is considered excessive to some? It fucking baby formula.

EXACTLY! I carry an "excessive" amount of computer cables, and I don't get crap from the TSA. I'm sure there are some people that carry an "excessive" amount of condoms (do you REALLY need a 48 box for a 2 hour flight??), or magazines (2 hours and you have 10 magazines???).

The right answer is "It is baby formula and not security related. It is none of your business".

[anna7602]

Sept 5, 2014 9:35:33 GMT -5 @246baje said:

Sept 5, 2014 8:00:22 GMT -5 v said:

I'm so glad I ventured over to MMM and saw this thread.

The Montreal airport has condom dispensers in the bathrooms.  I don't want to know what the captive market for that is, but at any rate, if that's a pressing airport need I'd think diapers should be even higher on the list.

I actually don't understand why we don't have small pharmacies in our larger airports.  The Boots shops at Heathrow always come in so handy for all sorts of things.  I'm sure they sell diapers (well, "nappies") and formula.

The outlet mall we go to a few times a year has a machine that dispenses pads,tampons, diapers and wipes.

I thought it was brilliant! They need to put these in airports, especially Miami International which is the 5th circle of hell

I agree that the Miami airport is the fifth circle of hell. 

[jasontracy]

Sept 5, 2014 9:27:21 GMT -5 @fivedogs said:

Sept 5, 2014 9:24:10 GMT -5 jasontracy said:

EXACTLY! I carry an "excessive" amount of computer cables, and I don't get crap from the TSA. I'm sure there are some people that carry an "excessive" amount of condoms (do you REALLY need a 48 box for a 2 hour flight??), or magazines (2 hours and you have 10 magazines???).

The right answer is "It is baby formula and not security related. It is none of your business".

Those aren't liquids and don't have to be pulled out and checked and hold up the line.

Liquids don't need to be pulled out and checked, either. How many airplanes have been blown up with liquids?

Blaming the mother for carrying a liquid is ridiculous. Blame the idiots that decided to hold up the line to check liquids. 
Besides, I've bought plenty of alcohol in glass bottles that I didn't have to open up, even though I could:
-Set fire to the plane with the alcohol (151 rum isn't hard to find in the duty-free)
-Break the glass bottle and use it as a knife to hold people hostage

[frlcb]

Sept 5, 2014 10:22:29 GMT -5 jasontracy said:

Sept 5, 2014 9:27:21 GMT -5 @fivedogs said:

Those aren't liquids and don't have to be pulled out and checked and hold up the line.

Liquids don't need to be pulled out and checked, either. How many airplanes have been blown up with liquids?

Blaming the mother for carrying a liquid is ridiculous. Blame the idiots that decided to hold up the line to check liquids. 
Besides, I've bought plenty of alcohol in glass bottles that I didn't have to open up, even though I could:
-Set fire to the plane with the alcohol (151 rum isn't hard to find in the duty-free)
-Break the glass bottle and use it as a knife to hold people hostage

Putting aside the semantics of whether or not they 'should' be pulled out and checked at this point the TSA dictates, unless you are doing precheck, that liquids be pulled out. If they are over 3 oz (and allowed, like baby/toddler liquids and medicines) they have to be checked. Whether or not the TSA agent decides to do so varies, but they have the right to check it all. 

So while we can all agree that the rules are ridiculous, for a multitude of reasons, the truth is that the rules are in place now, and she exceeded the reasonable quantity part of the rule by a significant amount.

[Deleted]

lol at the appearance of a new, male poster in this thread.

This is how we recruit new blood, I guess.

[karinothing]

Sept 5, 2014 10:22:29 GMT -5 jasontracy said:

Sept 5, 2014 9:27:21 GMT -5 @fivedogs said:

Those aren't liquids and don't have to be pulled out and checked and hold up the line.

Liquids don't need to be pulled out and checked, either. How many airplanes have been blown up with liquids?

Blaming the mother for carrying a liquid is ridiculous. Blame the idiots that decided to hold up the line to check liquids. 
Besides, I've bought plenty of alcohol in glass bottles that I didn't have to open up, even though I could:
-Set fire to the plane with the alcohol (151 rum isn't hard to find in the duty-free)
-Break the glass bottle and use it as a knife to hold people hostage

Ooooh. Who are you? How did you find us?

[jasontracy]

Sept 5, 2014 10:29:39 GMT -5 frlcb said:

Sept 5, 2014 10:22:29 GMT -5 jasontracy said:

So while we can all agree that the rules are ridiculous, for a multitude of reasons, the truth is that the rules are in place now, and she exceeded the reasonable quantity part of the rule by a significant amount.

If we keep just shrugging our shoulders and complying with everything we're told, regardless how stupid it is, it won't change.

I don't go through the body scanners, not because I'm scared of them, but because I feel like if you're going to violate my privacy, it can be done on full display with everyone watching. Plus, the rubber gloves pull the wrinkles out of my pants and give a nice leg massage. Very nice after all that walking in the airport.

We need to support people that are willing to do completely safe things that cause the TSA to get upset. If enough people would do it, they would be forced to change their rules. If enough people stopping walking through the body scanners, they would get rid of them.

However, if most people are just concerned with getting through the line quickly and not upsetting the rent-a-cops, it will just get worse.

[frlcb]

Sept 5, 2014 10:37:15 GMT -5 jasontracy said:

Sept 5, 2014 10:29:39 GMT -5 frlcb said:

So while we can all agree that the rules are ridiculous, for a multitude of reasons, the truth is that the rules are in place now, and she exceeded the reasonable quantity part of the rule by a significant amount.

If we keep just shrugging our shoulders and complying with everything we're told, regardless how stupid it is, it won't change.

I don't go through the body scanners, not because I'm scared of them, but because I feel like if you're going to violate my privacy, it can be done on full display with everyone watching. Plus, the rubber gloves pull the wrinkles out of my pants and give a nice leg massage. Very nice after all that walking in the airport.

We need to support people that are willing to do completely safe things that cause the TSA to get upset. If enough people would do it, they would be forced to change their rules. If enough people stopping walking through the body scanners, they would get rid of them.

However, if most people are just concerned with getting through the line quickly and not upsetting the rent-a-cops, it will just get worse.

I somehow doubt that when the OP was packing up 3 days worth of ready to feed formula that she was doing so in order to take down the TSA with a formula fueled protest at their ridiculous rules. 

Traveling is stressful enough, I don't need to protest while at the airport with my children to prove a point.

[jasontracy]

Hey, sorry ladies. I didn't realize this board was meant for mothers only. This board was linked in a Facebook page that lists abuses by the TSA. I thought I was on-topic.

Didn't mean to invade or troll. Have a good weekend!