Lisa Thomas asked: "I have permission to post a question from a mother who 
will be traveling this weekend on a Delta Airlines flight in the US.  She 
will be away from her baby and plans to pump while on the business trip, 
bringing back approx. 48 ounces of EBM in a carry-on for the return trip 
home to her baby.  Could someone please let us know if this will be 
allowable in a carry-on and what is the best
way to transport the milk??  I have looked on the Delta website and it seems 
that this may not be approved.  Is there anyone who can give us definitive, 
current regulations for this and what she might expect to happen?  Thank you 
to anyone who might be able to help!"

How surprising she couldn't get the answer from Delta since they are so 
breastfeeding friendly. ;)

The rules that govern the carry-on of breastmilk are actually those of the 
Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) which have very recently been 
changed with regard to carry-on EBM.  The current policy is at 
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/sop/index.shtm . As of August 4th, EBM may be 
carried on in any quantity, as long as it is declared prior to inspection. 
EBM is now classified as a liquid medication, the regulations for which are 
here: 
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1374.shtm#4 . 
The milk is subject to visual screening (which indicates to me it should be 
carried in something transparent or translucent), possibly X-ray, and 
whatever additional screening they come up with (but will not announce) 
except that moms will not be required to drink the milk.  I have been 
strongly recommending that moms traveling with EBM print both pages at the 
above links and carry them through security.  The TSA web site page on 
Traveling with Children still states the old policy of requiring that only 
as much EBM as can be fit in individual 3 oz. containers all fitting into 
one 12 oz. Ziploc bag will be allowed despite that policy having been 
revoked. I have filed a complaint about the failure to change the web site 
but have heard nothing.

Given the frequency of milk dumping by TSA employees under the old policy, I 
think it is realistic to expect a fair bit of confusion with the new one. 
On the bright side, I did get an e-mail last week about a mom getting 
through with gel packs to keep her milk cold - gel packs are otherwise not 
allowed through security.  So while the new policy clearly states she may 
carry an unlimited amount of milk, it does not change existing policy for 
ice and gel packs needed to keep the milk cold.  Gel packs can legally be 
confiscated and ice will always be.  She can try to get ice from a vendor 
once she is cleared through security.

Hope that helps.  I am continuing to collect TSA breastmilk stories so you 
can give her my e-mail if she has a bad experience.

Yours,
Jake Marcus, J.D.
[log in to unmask]

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
Mail all commands to [log in to unmask]
To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or [log in to unmask])
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet or ([log in to unmask])
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]