This Thanksgiving, travelers can relish in the joy of turkey in their carry-ons but might want to shed a tear for their gravy and other liquid delights that must be checked at the airport.

With the TSA anticipating the busiest Thanksgiving travel period on record, turkey enthusiasts will be chuckling at their ability to haul meat on board while mourning the fate of their beloved gravies, which, due to spill potential, will have to take a detour to checked baggage. As holiday chefs navigate the new rules that leave solid foods free to roam but splashy liquids grounded, the age-old question remains: is there anything more tragic than a loved one's Thanksgiving gravy getting lost in the bowels of airport security?

This year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is reminding Thanksgiving travelers that while a delicious turkey can strut its stuff through security, anything with a propensity to leak or stain will have to find a nook in the cargo hold. To put it simply, if your food is solid, you’re golden; if it’s liquid, check it in like a common checked bag and hope it finds a warm reunion at your final destination.

To further complicate the holiday feast logistics, TSA regulations state that any liquidy item larger than 3.4 ounces is essentially a security risk. So, while your perfectly preserved gravy recipe might normally be a crowd-pleaser, it now appears more akin to a ticking time bomb. As one TSA agent quipped, 'We love gravy like anyone else, but not in the cabin, please.'

In this age of advanced screening and terrorist foresight, travelers should be prepared for additional scrutiny. Keep those food items in an easily accessible spot, lest they become a last-minute puzzle for the TSA staff to decode. You don’t want your freshly baked pie to be the reason an agent has to rubber-glove their way through your carry-on, while everything else is served up with a side of side-eye.

For many, the freezer offers a sanctuary as frozen items are permitted onboard, provided they remain solid as a rock. A solid block of stuffing might just be the handiest trick up a traveler’s sleeve. Imagine the looks on the faces of fellow fliers as you extract dinner from your luggage, all while explaining that your stuffing was traveling first class in a plastic container.

More than just turkey and stuffing, a variety of food items can glide through the security line without a hitch. Baked goods, meats, casseroles, fresh fruits and vegetables, candy, and spices are all on the TSA’s nice list this year. So, go ahead and bring your famous pumpkin pie – just make sure it doesn't plan anything ambitious over 3.4 ounces. Caution is key: a pie rebellion could lead to tragic results.

Cranberry sauce, however, may lead your luggage on a jaunt across the tarmac. TSA has made it clear that even the cherished tart jelly must be checked. So, say farewell to packing those elegant little containers. Instead, stuff a can in your checked bag, where it can safely snuggle among your favorite vacation knick-knacks, far from the prying eyes of security agents.

For those looking to enhance their beverages on the journey, wine, too, is destined for checked luggage. While you might convince yourself that a nice cabernet could soothe the travel stress, it will have to remain corked until you reach your holiday destination. Arriving without your bottle will be a joy-killer; imagine explaining to your relatives that the wine is going to be late - it’s not something anyone desires.

Navigating these rules may leave some in a tizzy, but holiday travelers have to keep their eyes on the prize: getting to the feast with most of what they love intact. In the end, while the gravy may face uncertain baggage claims, the turkey and its solid companions will be feasting on the in-flight meal of life, all the while avoiding liquid traumas.

As we enter the busiest Thanksgiving travel season, remembering these TSA quirks can elevate your holiday experience to something worth discussing. Bon voyage, and may your turkey travel smoothly, while your gravy tastes even better next Thanksgiving - preferably without the added stress of airports and liquid restrictions.