Now that we are deep in the throes of the seasonal travel period, it’s time to rethink what foods we carry on. Whether train, bus, or plane (TBP)—I don’t think it matters in your own car, you have to live with your decision—you need to pack foods you want to eat. Remember that the smells, not necessarily the aromas, will stay with you and your fellow travelers for the duration.
Take tuna fish sandwiches. Without a proper disposal receptacle, as in a big trash bin at a rest area, the whole crowd on the TBP is less than appreciative of your selection. Let me stop you from calling me a tuna fish hater–I love it, but I know its limitations: Best served in a well-ventilated space!
Since the food options on board of T or P are so abysmal, (sorry Michel Richard, those delicacies do not transfer well onto first-class Acela service), packing your own food is the healthiest option and of course, the least offensively costly if food is not included in your ticket price!
As for airlines, keep in mind perishability and the no-nos of TSA rules: Here’s a little holiday travel guide of what should be in carry-on v. checked luggage. Buy your beverages and anything that looks gelatinous on the other side of security. Too many weird food confiscations to warrant anything other than dismay. Definitely not an argument or a discussion unless you want to miss the flight and possibility a future of travel!
Pack smart. Don’t count on every airport terminal to be overflowing with respectable, potentially healthy foods. Crowds, yes, but quality food, questionable. With travel delays and congestion and weather-related slow-downs, you might need to pack a day’s worth of options.
Leave the limburger, affectionately called “stinky cheese,” home.
