Transporting a bottle of Lemon Crush on an airplane

[rworange]

How can I do this? I'm afraid it will pop open in my suitcase ruining everything. I'm not sure I can carry it on board with me. Further up the line, how would you mail this in the US.

It is for a Crush collector and Lemon Crush is only made in Guatemala ... and sold many places here. So he'd like to not only have the bottle, but a taste of the soda ... ps it is ok. Seven up doesen't need to worry.

[ipsedixit]

Excuse the dumb question, rw.

But you are transporting the bottle from Guatemala to the U.S., right?

I thought only the U.S. TSA had restrictions on 3 ounce liquids for flights? Is it the same prohibition for Guatemalan airlines and security protocols for flights originating in that country?

[sunshine842]

Not in checked luggage, ips. The 3-oz rule applies ONLY to what's in your carryon, but you're only limited by space and weight on checked luggage.

[ipsedixit]

Understood.

My question is, does that rule apply to travelers coming INTO the U.S.?

TSA checks all carry-ons for U.S. domestic and outbound international flights.

But is there a Guatemalan equivalent of TSA, and/or equivalent Gautemalen 3 oz. rule?

[Delucacheesemonger]

Just flew on small plane out of Prague airport to other town in Eastern Europe, same rules apply, 3 oz, yada yada yada.

[masha]

Just flew from Lyon to Munich. Same rules for onboard liquids throughout the EU.

(The rule emanated from an apparent plot to carry on liquid materials on a flight from Heathrow to the US back in August 2005 to create a bomb on board, so it would make no sense for the rule not to apply to flights originating overseas, bound for the US.)

[sunshine842]

Yes, you're limited to 3 oz bottles in your carryon whether your inbound to or outbound from the US -- incidentally, it's also the rule for flights in the UK, Europe, and Russia.

But nobody cares how much you cram into your luggage, as long as it meets hazardous-good regulations. (which wine does)

[rochfood]

Hmm..never heard of Lemon Crush. Sounds good though.
They only make it Guatemala ? Sounds pretty tasty....
It seems sodas south (in this case really south) of the border are more fruity.

[alliegator]

As everyone else has mentioned, stashing some in your checked bag is fine. Bubble wrap and ziploc is the best way to go. And if you're still not optimistic, surround any liquids with the clothes you care about the least. I've brought back countless liquors that way with no mishaps at all.
Carrying on is a big no-no.

[Delucacheesemonger]

Bubble and ziplock in checkin luggage are the way, best option for non breakage is to have hard sided luggage, l have done for years with wine and no problems

[HoosierFoodie]

There are products out there such as "Bottle Armor" that are made to check in luggage. They are essentially large, heavy duty zip lock bags with padding (bubble wrap). They protect the bottle and should it break it won't leak. Magellan's & other travel luggage/supplies companies sell them. I have used them with great success.

[rworange]

I'll keep that in mind for another time. This is Guatemala. I'm lucky to get batteries that work.

[KaimukiMan]

you might want to buy two, just in case. one may burst, but the chance of two of them doing so is small. pack them in separate zip-locks, etc.

[rworange]

I was hoping to get a fresh bottle too, but it seems this is also rare in Guatemala. I haven't seen it since, though I will continue looking up to the end.

On the other hand, my bottle of plantano vinagrette that I bought in Vera Cruz Mexico and had stashed away seems to have slowly leaked. Only a half bottle left. That was the one I wasn't worried about.

[mamachef]

This is a great answer, Kaimuki Man. It really is all about contingency plans, innit?
Your answer reminded me of something....back in the late seventies, there was a rash of hijackings and I was nervous about flying. My darling departed Grampa had this gem for me: "Sweetheart! If yah nervous about a bomb on the plane, fahkrissake bring your own bomb. The chances of getting onto a plane with ONE bomb are incredibly small; the chances of TWO bombs on one plane is a virtual impossibility." His nugget of wisdom and a short tango with Prince Valium got me to the plane on time.

[erin_grogan]

We carry home beer frequently on our travels, and we typically wrap in one layer of bubble wrap (or a couple of socks, if we're sans bubble wrap) and definitely do put it in a large ziploc bag, checked in the suitcase. Be sure to bury it in the middle of your suitcase so it's padded top, bottom, and sides. So far, so good. Never had anything burst.

[JoanN]

No, you can't carry it on board. You won't (or at least shouldn't be able to) get through security. But a friend of mine recently brought back a couple of bottles of watermelon soda in her checked luggage from Southeast Asia and had no problems with them. The baggage compartment is pressurized and usually heated, but even if it's not, a bottle of soda (and I've had friends bring back cans of beer from Europe, too) ought to make it through just fine. Seal it in plastic wrap and in a baggie if you can, just to be safe.

As for mailing it once you get home, just put it in a box large enough to be surrounded by crushed newspaper and it should be fine. There are no regulations against it, it's just a question of protecting the bottle well enough so that it doesn't break if it gets handled roughly.

[DPGood]

Contact the airline.

Further up the line, contact the US Postal device, or Fedex, etc.

[rworange]

Well, yes, but it is not an English-speaking airline and I am not Spanish-speaking enought to deal with situations such as this.

Wow, I've been away a year. Has the US Postal service improved? They would actually give useful information?

I just wanted ideas from people who successfully did something like this.