I'm sure this has been covered, but I couldn't find it....
If going on vacation, can wine be checked in my luggage? Is there any problem with the pressure popping the cork out - or with the cold air in the cargo hold?
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Use a styro shipper and check it as a bag. I have done that several times and have had no problems.
I’ve wrapped up bottles in sweaters and pants before but I am always afraid that I’ll open up my suitcase to clothes that are purple. I’d be more upset about the wine than the clothes. Seanr7’s suggestion of the styro container is a better method. Don’t worry about the pressure or cold.
You're saying check it as it's own "bag" in the shipper, rather than put it in my suitcase?
Correct. I do it frequently. If security people open the shipper, they tape it back up very well. Never had a problem.
Just flew back from CA with a styro shipper checked as luggage. Have done it many times with no problems.
Are these the type that most people use? In the picture, the styrofoam seems a bit thin.
Similar. I've done it many times with nary a problem.
quote:Originally posted by Alta Skier:
Are these the type that most people use? In the picture, the styrofoam seems a bit thin.
Those are a bit thinner then the ones I use. I use ones that the wineries use when they ship my wine to me.
Here (linky)is a wheeled duffle that makes hauling a wine filled stryo shipper much easier. I've used mine for a couple of years now with no complaints.
My family just came back from Las Vegas and they were aloud to bring luggages on the plane.
Don't worry about anything!!!!
Don't worry about anything!!!!
quote:My family just came back from Las Vegas and they were aloud to bring luggages on the plane.
Don't worry about anything!!!!
You can bring luggage on the plane, but it can not contain wine bottles in it. There is an exemption for small (3-4 oz depending on what it is) bottles in a single quart size ziploc bag. Any thing else will be turned back or confiscated (depending on where you are when they discover you've got it).
This is amazing, speaking of that liquid rule - My girlfriend just came back from Brussels and of course bought chocolate. They would not allow her on her flight from JFK to Boston with the truffels b/c they were full of cream! Tell me this hasn't gotten out of control!!! Watch out for that terrorist chocolate. I hear al-quaida is planning mass attacks using belgiuan truffels!
zblang: Too bad for your girlfriend - we flew from Brussels to O'Hare on Sunday and OUR truffles made the trip with us. They sure tasted good, too! Good way to get rid of my extra euro's.
My wife's hairspray, on the other hand, remains in Brussels.
Back to topic:
Also note since 911 most airlines allow you to carry one extra check-on bag now. So for two passengers you can check up to six cases if you carry your clothes on or ups them back as I have done.
My wife's hairspray, on the other hand, remains in Brussels.
Back to topic:
Also note since 911 most airlines allow you to carry one extra check-on bag now. So for two passengers you can check up to six cases if you carry your clothes on or ups them back as I have done.
I would honestly think that with the security measures being as they are today that you should definitely check the wine in and let them cargo carry it.
I would never attempt that. I'm not comfortable with traveling with any liquor.
Incidentally, when I went to Paris years ago, I made the mistake of telling too many people where I was going; suddenly even those I didn't know well were requesting that I bring back bottles of beaujolais for them.
I refused of course.
Incidentally, when I went to Paris years ago, I made the mistake of telling too many people where I was going; suddenly even those I didn't know well were requesting that I bring back bottles of beaujolais for them.
I refused of course.
PH
I work in the airline industry. Several times a month I see the terrible consequences of improperly packed wine. You'd be surprised to see what luggage sometimes goes through on it's journey. If you think your bottle(s) might break if your luggage is dropped, kicked, and smashed then make the effort to repack it as best you can. If you are lucky enough to live in a more enlightened State - buy some wine online and reuse the shipping containers. If the containers can handle that abuse they should make the trip through the airport unscathed.
--RP
--RP
I honestly would be so worried about the wine in the suitcase. I agree with RP's suggestion and wish I'd thought of it before now.
Put the wine in a heavy duty trashbag and knot. Surround with soft stuff. Clothes are soft and are often found in suitcases..... Never had a problem so far.
PH
PH
I recently returned from a trip to Piedmont. Had only a small suitcase (as I didn't think I was going to bring anything home), but received 3 bottles of wine from a couple of the wineries we were at. So, I stuffed (clean) socks into the boxes the bottles were in and surrounded them in clothes in the suitcase (not a hardshell case, either). No problems. I was more scared that British Airways was going to lose my luggage as they did on the way over there!
JK
JK
Another thing is that wine in your checked luggage will almost invariably mean that the TSA folks will have to open it to examine it. I regularly fly thru some of the airports where the checked luggage screening is done right at the counter (Providence for example) and every time there has been wine packed in the luggage, it has been opened and inspected. The screener told me that they have to because they are concerned that they might have liquid explosives. Which explains the swabbing down of each of the bottles. At least the ones I've watched have been very careful to make sure the bottles are repacked in the middle of the suitcase and well padded with clothes.
Believe me we've had problems with the TSA. My wife is a science teacher and was off to a conference with a rather oily vacuum pump wrapped up in plastic. She even included a roll of tape with a note if the TSA wanted to unwrap it, please retape it. They didn't. They also for some reason cut open a zip-loc bag containing a few hundred small 2" x 8" sheets of paper.
I can get a couple of cases in the back of my plane and never go near the TSA 
quote:Originally posted by dinwiddie:
Another thing is that wine in your checked luggage will almost invariably mean that the TSA folks will have to open it to examine it. I regularly fly thru some of the airports where the checked luggage screening is done right at the counter (Providence for example) and every time there has been wine packed in the luggage, it has been opened and inspected. The screener told me that they have to because they are concerned that they might have liquid explosives. Which explains the swabbing down of each of the bottles. At least the ones I've watched have been very careful to make sure the bottles are repacked in the middle of the suitcase and well padded with clothes.
That's the reasonm I use styrofoam shippers. TSA always tapes them up well.
Just returned from 10 days in Provence/Tuscany. Bought an extra suitcase to haul wine back. 3-4 bottles, in the center of each of the three checked bags,,, no problems at all. I also brought back 3 bottles of oil,, one with a screw cap,, again, no problems.
Interestingly, there was an article in the NY Times today on this topic: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/business/31wine.html?ref=business
I've flown all over Europe, Canada and the US, and have always packed wine in my suitcase and checked it. Just put a sports sock over the wine, and make sure it is surrounded by clothes. The lower air pressure is not enough to expand the wine or pop the cork, so no worries.I've never had a problem, and never lost any wine.