Kilt pins and the TSA

**ozone** · 24th May 18, 11:27 AM

Hi Gents,
It's been a while since I've tried to travel with a kilt. I'm going for a friend's 50th in San Diego and I want to just do carry-on. Has anyone been hassled by the TSA over kilt pins?

I leave tomorrow (5/25), so any answers as soon as possible would be greatly appreciated

**Taskr** · 24th May 18, 11:34 AM

In Canada I've had it looked at quizzically, but no issues: "its jewelry". Think it was in carry-on once out of SD also. Wearing kilt or not, I keep it in the sporran and not worn.
When kilt wearing, sporran goes on the x-ray track as it should. Otherwise, all things in carry-on bag.

**Father Bill** · 24th May 18, 11:39 AM

I'm of the school of thought that says, "If you have to wonder, then don't take the chance."

You'll hear different reports from different airports in different nations, and TSA changes their procedures almost daily it seems, so why risk losing it?

**Terry Searl** · 24th May 18, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by ozone

Hi Gents,
It's been a while since I've tried to travel with a kilt. I'm going for a friend's 50th in San Diego and I want to just do carry-on. Has anyone been hassled by the TSA over kilt pins?

I leave tomorrow (5/25), so any answers as soon as possible would be greatly appreciated

When I travel, I only travel with carry on, even a month traveling around Australia was with just carry on. What I have learned is, don't carry anything that is unnecessary.....Kilt pins are really NOT necessary and I would NOT take one ......It would be tragic to lose a very special kilt pin to some over zealous custom inspection ...........In England, I lost a small un-opened 275 ml bottle of whiskey sauce because it was 25ml over the limit. In America I lost an un-opened 750ml $8.00 bottle of special olive oil. The inspector said He would escort me back to where I could check the bottle through for a fee of $25.00
Besides being terribly annoyed by what to me was over zealousness, The security officers were not moved by my pleas and they were just doing their job TO THE LETTER ........ better t be safe than sorry.........just my opinion

**Tobus** · 24th May 18, 01:50 PM

I can't say from experience, but it might depend on the type of pin it is. If it's the big blanket pin with a long needle, it could pose more of a problem than, say, a type with short studs and a backing closure. I think it will all come down to whether the officer views it as a potential weapon.

**FossilHunter** · 24th May 18, 02:14 PM

The real issue is the lack of consistency with TSA agent training and enforcement. One might let you on board with a claymore (I exaggerate, but only a little) and the next guy down might randomly select you for enhanced screening over your wee kilt pin.

Many agents do not know the actual rules very well and just go with their own judgment. So it's a gamble.

If you want to bring the pin, I would check it. Otherwise I would leave it behind. Or wear a pin that you don't mind losing (just in case) and if you're lucky they might not hassle you for it after all.

**ozone** · 24th May 18, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I can't say from experience, but it might depend on the type of pin it is. If it's the big blanket pin with a long needle, it could pose more of a problem than, say, a type with short studs and a backing closure. I think it will all come down to whether the officer views it as a potential weapon.

I think I'll take my short-stud x-marks kilt pin. That should be ok.

As another poster said, it's the inconsistency that's frustrating. I know a guy who took a loaded 45 with him to las vegas by mistake ( it was in his "go-bag"). Then he came back home, with the same 45, and the TSA didnt catch it; either direction!!!!!

**bikercelt1** · 24th May 18, 05:13 PM

I've been flying in the last few weeks and my advice is don't take anything with a needle or a pin. There seems to be a heightened security right now for some reason. In February I skated right through security but on every flight in the month of May I got pulled aside and frisked and had my hands wiped down because the new scanner they're using couldn't penetrate the layers of pleats on my kilt. Keep in mind, I've learned to fly with almost zero metal on my person and I still got frisked at every airport. I wouldn't try to wear any kilt pin at this time.

Jamie

**Tobus** · 25th May 18, 04:48 AM

Originally Posted by ozone

I think I'll take my short-stud x-marks kilt pin. That should be ok.

I think you should be OK, but unfortunately there are never any guarantees. I cannot see how those short-studded pins with backing clasps are any different than earring studs which nobody thinks twice about.

**ctbuchanan** · 25th May 18, 05:14 AM

My concern would not be the TSA but the chance of having a mishap with the pin catching on something while you are traveling. Risking a bad pull on your fabric if you catch it on your luggage, the seat, another person in a crowded airplane aisle would not warrant the wearing of a decorative item like that in my opinion. Add the slight risk of an off day with a TSA agent and I say why take the chance. Pack it.