Anyone actually had a problem taking a kilt pin through securtiy?

[Spartan]

I did last summer on my way home from Pennsylvania. I was wearing a black Amerikilt with a brass Irish Brigade pin I had picked up at the Antietam battlefield. It was a brass harp, and not only did security make me take it off when I went through, but they took me to a private room and ran a hand through every pleat on my kilt. So I did have a slight issue. It wasn't a huge problem- it was just a little irritating.

That's a new one -- through every pleat

But, the kilt pin wasn't the issue. I assume that you were allowed to keep it.

[Nighthawk]

That's a new one -- through every pleat

But, the kilt pin wasn't the issue. I assume that you were allowed to keep it.

Yes I was. They just wanted to check it over I guess. And yeah- the latex glove went on and the guy got down on his kness behind me... ...and searched every pleat...

[Dan R Porter]

Yes I was. They just wanted to check it over I guess. And yeah- the latex glove went on and the guy got down on his kness behind me... ...and searched every pleat...

The guy behind you kneeling with the rubber gloves on checking your pleats... is pleats what the kids are calling it these days?

[Spartan]

Yes I was. They just wanted to check it over I guess. And yeah- the latex glove went on and the guy got down on his kness behind me... ...and searched every pleat...

That does give a new meaning to "kilt check."

IMO that guy was out of line!!

[Nighthawk]

That does give a new meaning to "kilt check."

IMO that guy was out of line!!

I agree. But if I wanted to go home... Oh well. Some people.

[Foosinho]

I've never traveled with a kilt pin, but I have been traveling quite a bit, and it seems like every airport interprets the rules differently. The small regional airports are easily the strictest; I suspect it's because the TSA agents have the time to go over everyone with a fine-toothed comb.

I actually had a P-38 can opener confiscated as a "blade" at Yuma's airport; I bet they would have taken a kilt pin too. They also took some waterproof matches (they claimed were "strike anywhere" - they weren't) and ran just about every item I put on the belt thru twice.

My guess is that in a major airport you'd probably be OK, but the smaller the airport the bigger the risk.

[twinkletowz]

I have flown Kilted a couple of times and have never had a problem with kilt pins. I just made sure that my sgian was packed in my luggage and through I went!

[twinkletowz]

I actually had a P-38 can opener confiscated as a "blade" at Yuma's airport; I bet they would have taken a kilt pin too. They also took some waterproof matches (they claimed were "strike anywhere" - they weren't) and ran just about every item I put on the belt thru twice.

I can see the can opener and matches being taken... that thing looks evil and matches should have been a no brainer. Kilt pins however are accessories/jewelery and really should be a non issue. Next thing they will be taking tie clips!!

[Foosinho]

I can see the can opener and matches being taken... that thing looks evil

It's tiny. The "blade" is 5mm long. You'd have to be a heck of a bad-*** ninja to inflict any damage with it.

and matches should have been a no brainer.

TSA regs say that matches are OK - they just can't be "strike-anywhere", and my matches weren't. In fact, they can be quite difficult to strike (they just happen to still work when wet). I wasn't about to try and put up a fight.

Kilt pins however are accessories/jewelery and really should be a non issue. Next thing they will be taking tie clips!!

I guarantee you that I could do more damage with a kilt pin than a P-38 can opener. TSA agents at small airports have very little to do. I've flown tons of times with the can opener and matches without issue, but it's the small airports where they are aggressive about confiscation.

Just understand that while kilt pins shouldn't be an issue, and most likely won't be, at small airports you may well lose it. And by "small" I mean the kind of places with 3 gates and that only run turboprops.