Flight warning – how taking snacks off the plane could get you into trouble with POLICE – The Sun | The Sun

EVERY now and again, an airline gives you a snack that you fancy saving for later.

But avoid the temptation to pack it into your hand luggage and disembark the plane, because it could get you into trouble with border police.

A woman who mistakenly took some fruit from her flight was then been subjected to additional screenings for a number of flight after the incident.

Kathleen Porter Kristiansen, who writes for The Points Guy, explained how the simple mistake when travelling with her one-year-old son has caused problems for a long while after.

The mum flew from the Bahamas to Washington with a connect in Miami, when she decided to take the fruit off the plane.

She explained: "We flew through Miami using our US passports, and when we went through immigration I suddenly remembered I had an orange in my son’s bag."

Kathleen was told she could avoid any problems by simply declaring it at immigration.

However, she found herself detained by US Customers and Border Protection for an hour after being caught "bringing citrus" to the US.

She threw it away and was told by security to be careful in the future.

Despite this, she found herself at the receiving extra checks every time she flew after the incident.

Kathleen said: "A black mark of sorts had been placed against my name in the United States by the US Food and Agriculture department and I was subjected to additional screenings of all of my luggage after immigration for the next nine months."

She later asked one of the immigration officers who confirmed her suspicions after asking her if she had "ever smuggled fruit".

Most read in travel

SI YA!

Spain holiday boost as more Covid restrictions scrapped next month

EAT UP

TripAdvisor reveals the world's best restaurants – and DONCASTER is on the list

KID YOU NOT

I bought an expensive plane ticket and the flight was ruined by a crying baby

ON THE GO

I travel 225,000 miles a year – I always pack a clever £22.99 gadget

According to the US Customers and Border Protection website, all citrus fruits are banned as they could contain disease which threaten local agriculture.

It warns: "Fresh fruits and vegetables grown outside of the United States, or Canada, are typically prohibited."

Other bans include "meats, plants, seeds, soil and products made from animal or plant materials," with undeclared items confiscated and penalties given.

Kathleen added: "Lesson learned: if you bring food and veg on board for snacks, it cannot leave the plane."

Meanwhile, a woman was stopped by TSA at the airport after confusing staff when she was caught with 20 packet of spicy Cheetos crisps in her luggage.

Some food can show up on x-ray machines as suspicious items, leading to warnings to avoid taking food on board.


Source: Read Full Article