Homebrew on an Airplane
 

I'm flying up to Long Island to visit my family in a couple of weeks, and I want to bring some homebrew with me. I bottle in 1-liter bottles.

Pre-senseless-liquid-ban, I would just put them in my carry-on. What to do now?

1. Check a 12-bottle box, (the original ez-cap box) well padded.
2. Put a few in my checked luggage.
3. Ship a 12-bottle box.
4. Drink it all before I go. Tell them how good it was.

Ship it. My sister tried to take some and they said if it wasn't in a sealed container they wouldn't let it on board.

I've packed beer and tequila in checked luggage before without incident, but I have hardcases and padded it well.

If you decide to try the luggage route I would call your airline well ahead and ask. Make sure you mention that it is homebrewed and not commercially packaged. You don't want it to get confiscated. Leave yourself time to ship if need be.

Being airline pilot i think i can help you out a little. CHECK IT. CHECK AS MUCH AS YOU WANT. just hope the rampies or i dont find it cause ill confiscate it for myself on an overnight. As long as its not over 50lbs and make sure you pad it. If its over 50lbs you will have to pay an overweight fee. Make sure its padded well cause those apes that load and unload bags dont always treat the bags that well. Make sure and write FRAGILE on the box and it will be fine.

Having worked on a ramp many years ago, writing "Fragile" on the package is hit or miss. Some guys, you see... well... they view that as an invitation...

For the record, I checked a cardboard box with six, well-wrapped liters. Foam peanuts also. No problems. (The box was opened and inspected, as there was fresh tape on it when I got it back.)

I was going to take 12, but weight was an issue.

Made sure not to write "fragile" on the box, per Toot's advice. ;)

Yeah. Checked homebrew in a nalgene bottle a few times.

I've put 5 liter kegs in my checked baggage EVERY TIME I came back from Germany...nary a drop or a dent. Wrap on 2 pairs of jeans...:D

Who do you fly for... out of curiosity.
I'm IFR rated now, working on commercial.