71 yo Utah mom opens a full-blown sandwich shop at 30,000 ft mid-flight. The internet is stunned by the audacity: ‘The real MVP’
We’ve all been there: trapped on a five-hour flight, staring down a $12 box of stale crackers. Oh, and a thumb-sized wrap that costs more than your airport parking? Yeah, we better go hungry instead. But one Utah mom decided she wasn’t playing the airline’s games.
Instead of settling for mediocre cabin snacks, she packed a literal deli counter in her carry-on. Within minutes, there were assembly lines for the whole family right on the tray tables.
The TikTok video, posted by the viral mom’s daughter (@ileshadepasquale) has captured the hearts (and stomachs) of millions. It has earned over 3.6 million views, and shows the “Best Mom Ever” meticulously layering meats, cheeses, and lettuce onto massive sub rolls while cruising at 30,000 feet.
It’s a total shift from the usual misery-maxing of air travel. The 71-year-old mom just turned a cramped middle seat into a gourmet sub station. And now the whole internet wants to travel with her.
The mom spread out an in-flight deli and everyone was in awe
The TikTok creator shared the footage with a caption explaining that her mother was worried the family would get hungry during their five-hour journey without a meal. The result? A full-scale operation that had fellow passengers, and the entire internet, doing a double-take.
The woman didn’t just bring a pre-made sandwich; she brought the components to ensure maximum freshness. Travelers are officially fed up with the declining quality of airline “perks.” So, why pay for a sad, refrigerated triangle of bread when your mom can whip up a sub that looks like it belongs on a billboard?
The family members are seen in the video happily munching away, looking like they’ve just won the travel lottery. Even fellow passengers looked like they were waiting for a bite.
Is this actually allowed?
The biggest question burning through the comments section was: “How did she get that through security?” Many travelers are under the impression that TSA treats a turkey sub like a liquid explosive. But the reality is a bit more delicious.
According to TSA guidelines, you can absolutely bring solid food through security. The “no liquids” rule still applies to things like large jars of mayo or mustard. But as long as the condiments are in small packets or already on the bread, you’re clear for takeoff.
This mom reportedly used ice packs (which must be frozen solid when going through the scanner) to keep the meats and cheeses fresh until it was time to build.
She has now become the internet’s favorite mom
Viewers on TikTok were divided between pure jealousy and total confusion about airport logistics. “I’m scared of bringing the wrong size shampoo on a plane and this lady brought a sandwich shop,” one viewer joked, highlighting the absurdity of current travel anxiety.
Several others asked how did she get through security, but the creator herself cleared the air up.“Security doesn’t care if you bring food. Just no liquids. She didn’t need to hide anything,” she wrote. Others were in absolute awe of the move the mom pulled, writing, “I don’t know who she is, but she really is THE MVP.”
While the airlines are busy cutting costs, this mom was busy making sure nobody goes hungry on their watch. She proved everyone wrong who thought that we have to be at the mercy of terminal food prices.
And if flying involves a fresh-cut sub and a mother’s care, even a middle seat feels like first class. If you’re also considering packing your own deli spread for your next flight, just make sure your ice packs are frozen solid. Or, your “in-flight sub shop” might get shut down at the gate.
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