Thanksgiving travelers can bring a whole turkey through TSA but not a lot of gravy

Many Thanksgiving air travelers are expected to bring along food for their holiday meals, and security checkpoint officials are ready to screen it all.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is reminding travelers that the same rules apply, and that some items may be subject to extra examination.

‘We know that people often like to bring special foods or drinks to share with their family and friends, and we see that a lot during the Thanksgiving travel period,’ said TSA spokeswoman Lorie Dankers.

‘People bring entire turkeys to the checkpoint. So obviously, that was what they were assigned for the meal, and they’re bringing it through. It is allowed.’

Foods that are solid, like meats, breads, cheeses and cookies, can go through in ‘unlimited quantities’, Dankers said.

The items that are prohibited are liquids and gels or aerosols over 3.4 ounces.

‘A lot of people ask us what constitutes a liquid or a gel or an aerosol. And we like to say, “If you can pump it, pour it, spill it or spread it, that is a liquid,”‘ Dankers said.

One of the most common items TSA employees see travelers bringing through are homemade soups. Those, along with gravy, must also be 3.4 ounces or less.

Dankers added that travelers should be aware that the TSA has to be right every time and that officers may take measures to make sure their food does not pose a threat.

‘You would be surprised the things that we come across and the types of things people try to get through the security checkpoint thinking that we won’t catch it,’ she said.

‘That’s not a good strategy, because we’re on the lookout for that, and we’ll make sure that this holiday season goes down smoothly.’

Officers may also take a closer look at some favorite foods that will ultimately be permitted in most cases.

‘We do see pies come through,’ Dankers said.

‘And here’s the rule with pies, and that is: They may require additional screening.’

The TSA is preparing to screen more than 2.8million people on Tuesday and 2.9million more on Wednesday across the US, after checking over 2.5million on Monday.

Winter weather may spoil some travel plans, as rain, thunderstorms, snow and mixed precipitation is forecast in 13 states mostly in the Midwest and Northeast.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.