Hops on a plane???

[mjmac85]

I will be going back to Chicago area in a few months for vacation. Was thinking of picking up some hops and bringing them back with me on the plane. Saves on the rediculous Hawaii shipping rates. Now if I bring back a few pounds of whole hops it is going to look like drugs. Has anyone tried this? Other questions is will 1lbs of whole hop fit into a flat rate shipping box? More than 1lbs? I figure I would probably just grab about 10lbs total depending on shipping and such.

 

[ScottSingleton]

Let us know how that goes for ya Not sure drug-snorting-dogs would trigger on a bag of hops.. most likely not.

Either way their instant drug-kit-test would show negative so if anything you'd only be delayed a bit while they test it LOL.

Though I can definitely see a 1# vacu-packed bag of whole hops looking mighty suspicious.

 

[urbanmyth]

I would think as long as you keep them in the packages with labels clearly visible and tell them what they are when they ask if you have anything of concern, you should be fine.

 

[kh54s10]

Give a call to TSA and ask about it.
Then tell them what you have before they find it and question it. If you can get it shipped without problems it should not be much of a problem to carry.

Although there is always the concern of transporting bad insects, diseases etc.

 

[Maweni]

I flew from Seattle to LA last month with a pound of Columbus hops. I decided to purchase the hop union brand as their bags look inconspicuous and like a regular store bought product. Personally I would stay away from the pain foil packs. I had no trouble with the TSA. Make sure its in Your checked luggage. Three years back I made the same flight with a beer kit including malt extract, the TSA personnel were kind enough to not close the malt extract properly so when I got home my clothes were covered in syrup. Even then, the TSA searched my bag before it was loaded on the plane. They never questioned me. I only found out when I got home that my bag was searched, the syrup on my cloths and they left a nice little note that said we searched your bag.

 

[brewingmeister]

I've shipped a lb of pellets and a lb of leaf to people and they both fit in the $5 priority bag. leaf was snug but fit in there. could of fit maybe 4lb pellet in one of those bags.

If you plan to carry on I would suggest going early and preparing to piss off a lot of people in line.
Nothing says pat down like a vacuum packed foil lined bag.
Putting them in checked baggage will still likely lead to them being opened, shipping them seems to be the route with less hassles.

good luck

 

[mjmac85]

I know I wont be arrested but im just wondering about the hassle. Rubber gloves and private rooms make me nervous.

 

[brewingmeister]

I know I wont be arrested but im just wondering about the hassle. Rubber gloves and private rooms make me nervous.

I hear ya, but those tsa's have their humor surgically removed when they hand out the uniforms.

I would ship them unless its cheaper to check them. Last time I flew, while I was at baggage claim waiting for my bag a cooler came out. So keep them cold and check them in a cooler.

 

[Maweni]

I seriously doubt that you will get a pat down or rubber gloves for hops. Personally I wouldn't carry on, just check it in yr luggage. BTW, how much hops are you talking about?

 

[mjmac85]

Depends on the size they take up. I was looking forward to giving whole hops a try, but I think I might just have to stick with pellets. I was thinking about grabbing 10+ lbs of whole hops. I don't know anywhere to get them out here. I will probably just go with pellets I guess.

 

[Tiredboy]

Admitedly I have hops when I'm leaving the US and I'm not sure whether this makes a difference but I get most of my hops when in the US (as pellets) and put them in my hold luggage to bring them home.

As for the TSA not resealing the extract, that might explain why my DME "leaked" on my last trip!

 

[HibsMax]

I flew from Seattle to LA last month with a pound of Columbus hops. I decided to purchase the hop union brand as their bags look inconspicuous and like a regular store bought product. Personally I would stay away from the pain foil packs. I had no trouble with the TSA. Make sure its in Your checked luggage. Three years back I made the same flight with a beer kit including malt extract, the TSA personnel were kind enough to not close the malt extract properly so when I got home my clothes were covered in syrup. Even then, the TSA searched my bag before it was loaded on the plane. They never questioned me. I only found out when I got home that my bag was searched, the syrup on my cloths and they left a nice little note that said we searched your bag.

Off topic - OK, they have a serious job but they piss me off (broad brush strokes here, they're not ALL annoying). My wife and I picked up two small wooden zebra statues when in San Diego a few years ago. Packed them in a hard-sided case, carefully wrapped in clothes. Got home and the TSA had been in there. They didn't repack properly and left the statues unprotected in the case and one had it's head snapped off. Grrrrr. You *can* file a claim but the process is ridiculous. I know the squeaky wheel gets the oil but I didn't have that much oil.

On Topic - I have no experience of this but I would either be very upfront about this - don't let them make the discovery on their own. Or, just mail them back to yourself if that is cost effective. I know that when you ship things yourself it's often much cheaper than the prices quoted by sellers. I do this all the time when getting things for my parents back home in Scotland i.e., buy here, get shipped to here then ship to UK myself.

 

[TTB-J]

I have had it with these ************* hops on this ************* plane!

We could start a whole thread on homebrewing items that were confiscated by TSA. I went through security with a spent 16g CO2 cartridge once that I used for a party pig and wanted to bring with me to the LHBS to make sure I got the right size again. They were surprisingly chill about it, just threw it away. The problem is, if you're not willing to lose it, don't try it through carry on.

 

[TyTanium]

Aren't there rules about bringing plant material to/from Hawaii? I remember them asking if I brought any plants or something.

 

[Magnanamous]

I recently brought a couple of pounds of hops from Oregon to PA. I put them in my carry-on and no one said a thing. They were in clear vac-sealed bags. It should be noted however that I flew from Eugene OR, so I could have been smoking a blunt in the security line and wouldn't have expected an eye to bat.

 

[mjmac85]

I have had it with these ************* hops on this ************* plane!

That is what I wanted to name the title lol

Yes their is regulations on bringing plant material here. I know I would have to jump through some hoops, but if I can make it off the plane I figure the rest would be easy.

 

[LimerickBrewCo]

There is certainly nothing wrong or illegal about bring hops on an airplane, however I'd be prepared for a major hassle. Hops look like drugs and have a pungent smell that could be reminiscent of drugs to some people. It would probably be worth the money to just ship them to avoid what could be a potential major inconvenience.

 

[Trophy_Brew21]

I will be going back to Chicago area in a few months for vacation. Was thinking of picking up some hops and bringing them back with me on the plane. Saves on the rediculous Hawaii shipping rates. Now if I bring back a few pounds of whole hops it is going to look like drugs. Has anyone tried this? Other questions is will 1lbs of whole hop fit into a flat rate shipping box? More than 1lbs? I figure I would probably just grab about 10lbs total depending on shipping and such.

Hops are in the the same family as marijuana, obviously they are missing the THC. so drug dogs shouldn't be able to smell it. but best bet is to call TSA or the airlines, or even local police. they will all be able to help you out.

Off topic: Go see the cubs play at Wrigley!

 

[mjmac85]

It's on my list to do.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I have had it with these ************* hops on this ************* plane!

HA! Nice.

Also good to see another MLS supporter. Check out https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f19/horribly-unpopular-soccer-thread-227372/index19.html

 

[mjmac85]

You mean baseball?

 

[Reno_eNVy]

You mean baseball?

Well considering I said "MLS" and posted a link to a soccer thread, I'd say no, I did not mean baseball.

 

[PistolsAtDawn]

I have had it with these ************* hops on this ************* plane!

I would have been most disappointed without at least one reference to Sam L. Thanks!