Kilt Pins and Air Travel

[Tobinn]

I know that the topic of flying commercial with kilt pins in place has come up in other threads with various opinions and experiences being shared. Since I'll be heading up to NJ this summer (kilted) I thought I'd go right to the source and email the TSA . I included the webpage for the exact kilt pin with which I plan to travel (the Welsh pin from USA Kilts - very nice by the way) so they could have a look themselves.

I received the following response (within an hour or two - much quicker than I expected):

"Thank you for contacting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Contact Center.

After reviewing your inquiry, the item in question should be placed in checked
baggage. It is not permitted through the passenger screening checkpoint. The
item could pose a potential threat to other passengers and flight crew.

For travel tips and information about our screening procedures and what you can
bring, please visit www.tsa.gov/travel. "


Anyway, there you go; travel with a kilt pin in place at your own peril. I for one, will forgo (reluctantly) my bling and stash the pin in with my checked bag.

I wonder how they'd react to a sgian brew tucked in my hose?

[Jumpmonkey]

I've found my kilt pin apt to get caught on things through the course of the day, so I believe it shall be relegated to formal, rather than daily functions. The tight confines along with the general crowds, and luggage to be dealt with, make me feel it a perfect situation for either loosing your bling or tearing your apron.

[Barb T]

Interesting reply from TSA, given that my full-size sewing scissors are allowed because the blades are less than 4" from the pivot....and yes, they were actually measured by TSA. But a whole lot more substantial than a 2" kilt pin!!!

[Kiltboy]

I remove my kilt pin before screening. Put it in my carry on, and send through x ray. Then put it on later. I've been doing that for many years without problem.

[Liam]

I have a grouse foot kilt pin that I wear when going through security. Never had a problem.

[kingandrew]

I have not worn my kilt while going through security. However, I have a special kilt garment bag (from Order of the Gael) which has a custom kilt hanger and pockets and loops for 3 sporrans, a couple of wide belts, and plenty of socks and bonnets. I put my kilt pin (along with flashes, sporran chain, and other small accessories) inside one of the sporrans in the garment bag. It went through the x-ray with no problem and I carried onto the plane and through security again when I changed planes in Japan. So I can verify that your pin will likely be just fine in a carry-on bag.

In fact, I had two balmoral bonnets with standard-size cap badges on them in the bag, too. Those would probably be more formidable tools for poking someone than the kilt pin, although none of them would make a very realistic weapon under any circumstance.

I have never tried to take a sgian dubh or dirk through security and would not advise trying it

Andrew

[KiltedSergeant]

Interesting reply from TSA, given that my full-size sewing scissors are allowed because the blades are less than 4" from the pivot....and yes, they were actually measured by TSA. But a whole lot more substantial than a 2" kilt pin!!!

In reference to TSA's reply, I've learned that in these type of situations when you ask permission of ANY office/organization/authority for ANY purpose, the stock answer is usually the "lawyer's" answer, "No!" I don't think they usually even take the time to consider the correct answer. As a result, I just do whatever it takes to avoid asking, and to avoid getting in trouble; in this case that means just putting the kilt pin in checked baggage in the first place.

As to scissors, I once flew home from Minnesota after visiting my daughter and three granddaughters. After going through security and settling down in my airplane seat I went to my carry-on bag to get something, and stashed in there were a pair of scissors belonging to one of my granddaughters. I don't believe TSA ever saw them, though based on what you wrote, maybe they were too small to matter.