Never flying in kilt again!

[Brian07663NJ]

I live in New Jersey and went on a last minute trip to San Francisco (literally 36 hours on the ground in the city). I decided it would be fun to wear my kilt the entire trip and bring NO pants with me...so I couldn't change my mind. (Yes, I know I could always buy pants.)

I got to Newark airport about 5am for my 7am flight and started the dreaded process through security. Since I was traveling light with only a backpack - this should have been simple but it wasn't. Must also tell you that I wore my favorite kilt. It is nontraditional and does have snaps in the front as well as some decorative non-removable metal buckles on the side. Of course I didn't clear the metal dectector. They wanted me to take the metal off the kilt to which I said it wasn't possible. I had to submit to the "male assist" physical search. Fine. He started to explain the process and I said "look, if it makes it any easier - I'll just hand the kilt to you and you can run it through the x-ray" He called over to his supervisor who flat out said "no". I do understand that you cannot "see" what could be attached to a leg (like a holster for any type of weapon).

In San Francisco airport I even passed by another guy in a kilt carrying his toddler. In the city I saw lots of guys in kilts too!

Upon arriving at the airport for my return trip I was all prepared and yes it was the same search complete with the wand up the kilt between my legs. At least the security guy in San Francisco was a little more humored when I offered to take off the kilt - "Oh buddy, I don't want to find out if you're wearing nothing on under there."

Oh well - I did go through the entire weekend in my kilt but I doubt if I will ever go to the airport again in a kilt. Just not worth the hassle.

On a seriously fun note - I ran across a bachelorette party on Saturday night and they went wild because of the kilt. They all wanted photos with me and they were just about squealing about how hot they thought it was to be with a guy in a kilt. Talk about feeling like a Rock Star! The gals are going to email me some photos and hopefully I'll get them to share with everyone here. They were really polite too - they wanted to know "the" question but weren't going there...

[Lee]

Sorry you had this bad experience, Brian.

I've never had any problems getting through security.

Luck of the draw, I guess.

Lee

[Santa Kona]

Don't... not wear your kilt because of one bad experience.

[Squeaky McMurdo]

This might be one of those times when you should wear some shorts under the kilt. Then when you go through security, start unbuckling before it's your turn and when you're up, matter-of-factly state, " I'm wearing shorts and would rather put this through the x-ray" and drop it on the table.

The people you talked to probably thought you were kidding since you made it their decision...

You can always go to a restroom to depants after that.

--Chelsea McMurdo--

[Panache]

The last time I went on a plane I wore a traditional kilt

When I had to go through to security I announced that it was too much bother to be wanded and just took off my kilt right there in line and put it on the belt to the X Ray machine.

Underneath I was wearing a Sport Kilt!

Cheers

Jamie

[pdcorlis]

Well played Jamie - well played indeed!

[McFarkus]

A Sport kilt is a good alternative since it has velcro closure at the waist as does the SWK Thrifty. My new Alpha Kilt Compass has a couple of snaps, but the pockets unsnap completely (using the MOLLE/PALS webbing system) and can be put through the x-ray machine.

Don't give up the ship.

[peacekeeper83]

Don't forget the USAKilts casuals.. They would make a good traveling kilt.. Velcro fasteners..

[BEEDEE]

I get wanded every time because of a large lump of metal in my ankle, so wearing a kilt is not a problem, I just allow enough time to go through the extra security check.

TSA seem to train this people well since I have never experienced a problem with a kilt check. I do send the sporrran through the X-ray with belt and kilt pin so the only metal on my kilt is the buckles. I probably would not travel with a contemporary kilt and lots of metal fasteners to have each checked.

Brian

[Splash_4]

Likewise, I have traveled all over the country kilted. While I do get some curious looks, I have never had trouble with security. Like Brian, I place the sporran and all related metal bits through the x-ray and the only metal is on the two waist buckles.

I will say that flying kilted is a whole degree of comfort different.