Traveling in usa. Wish to take specialty cheese as gift. Checked or carryon?

Question

I wish to take a container of specialty cheese from my state to a friend in maryland. I was going to wrap it with newspaper and place it in a plastic zip-lock bag to keep it as cool as possible. Is carry-on or checked luggage the proper method for transporting? Also wish to take locally manufactured candy bars as well. Same question.

Answer 1

Assuming you mean traveling in the summer, I would definitely say carry-on.  It's not uncommon for checked luggage to sit out on the very hot tarmac for a while waiting to be loaded.    If you have to check it, you can buy styrofoam coolers that are sturdy enough for shipping (I save the ones from Omaha steaks) and pack in that along with a few freezer packs.