Flying Kilted and the TSA as of November 2011

[Geoff Withnell]

Its not been a problem for me, I have passed through Los Angeles Airport kilted in 2009 and Boston Airport kilted in 2010. At LAX my kilt buckle did trigger the metal detector and I had to go to a private room to be searched but I have since learned that if you turn slightly (or turn the kilt slightly) so that the buckles go through the metal detector arch one at a time, you are unlikely to trigger the detector.

I have found that one of USAK casuals is perfect for flying. Take off the sporran and strap, and you have no metal at all!

[Dale Seago]

Glad to hear of your experience -- it pretty much parallels mine flying kilted from San Francisco to Denver and back in August.

I'm going to Japan in a couple of weeks for further martial-arts training and, while I plan to take two kilts (one for dress-up at my teacher's 80th- birthday party), I don't currently plan to fly kilted. Though that could change, as it would be a third kilt that wouldn't have to be packed. . .

[Jewish Highlander]

One good thing about my ancient MacBeth kilt is the variety of colors I can wear with it especially shirt. It has lovat blue, black, red, green, yellow and white. For a three day trip I only needed my modern MacBeth 16 oz. 8yard kilt, a pair of good shoes, a day/Laird's plaid, a leather vest, a wool bonnet, a sporran, a belt (optional), 3- dress shirts, 2- pair of hose, 1- set of kilt garters, 3- T-shirts and 3- pairs of underwear (optional ). So I was either wearing it or had it packed in one regular backpack with a few toiletries, a couple of books, a big bag of trail mix, and a water bottle. It was not too heavy and fit in the overhead compartment easily. No checked luggage. So in reality I wore most of it at all times and packed the rest of it easily. The day/Laird's plaid was my blanket, jacket, and a picnic blanket and allowed me to adjust to all sort of weather conditions. I plan on getting one that might be a bit heavier wool that would match my kilt in the future.

[glasgow32]

I was in Amsterdam one time coming back from Scotland and wearing a kilt, the guy said he needed to look under my kilt. Then one time I just took it off state side before going through the metal detectors. I was wearing bike shorts underneath.

[tpa]

I have flown kilted several times - no problems - just a lot more comfortable.

[PEEDYC]

I'm off to West Africa kilted next week. First time I've flown kilted. It will be interesting to say the least.

[subadude]

I have flown kilted many times, never a problem.

However on my last trip I was traveling with a friend who was also kilted. He got chosen for the body scanner. He respectfully declined. Absolutely hilarious watching the awkward TSA agent try to pat him down professionally!

[Howard Clark]

I have found that I get treated nicer when flying kilted. I did get patted down at Heathrow, but it was done very well (TSA could learn something from the Brits). I went from Des Moines to Portland, ME last spring, and had a fine experience. I will be doing so again this coming spring. I do try to fly early in the day also, but I think wearing the kilt is a fine way to travel by air.

[Dale Seago]

Glad to hear of your experience -- it pretty much parallels mine flying kilted from San Francisco to Denver and back in August.

I didn't wear a kilt on the flight here to Japan, but I've been kilted most of the time outside my martial-art training activities. Strongly thinking of wearing one on the return flight from Japan to San Francisco this coming Saturday. . .

[Riverkilt]

Well yeah.....fly kilted. If you're gonna have to be a virtual sardine for hours its better to have some FREEDOM between your big toes.