Kilted in airports

[Monkey@Arms]

Nonmetallic hardware will only get you so far, I got the pat down in my Utilikilt even though I didn't set off the metal detector. (What can I say, when I'm in a kilt people just can't keep their hands of me. )

Best regards,

Jake

[MacBean]

My silver-colored metal belt buckle doesn't bother them, so why should kilt buckles?

[Nighthawk]

I just went through a similar situation at the hospital...

[DesertCeltic]

I traveled in June and used the recommendation to rotate the kilt before going through the detector. I rotated my kilt 45 degrees and had no difficulties at all either way. The only other time I traveled kilted I didn't know that little trick and got the complete secondary screening bonus round.

[Howard Clark]

I went from Des Moines, Iowa to London Heathrow in April, wearing an eight yard wool tartan kilt with buckles, both ways. Never have I been treated so nicely when traveling before. I did set off the metal detector at Heathrow on the way out of London, but it was handled in a very courteous and professional way with no real inconvenience to me. One flight attendant just could not fathom that I was not a piper, but hey, other than that it was the best air travel experience of my life thus far. I will never fly in trousers again if I can help it. I think that ones attitude plays a major role in how we are treated, whilst wearing the kilt or not, but especially so when we are. You have the option of how you react, and indeed body language and facial expression can set the situation even before you and your kilt "arrive", so to speak.

Smile, have a sense of humour, and be courteous. And look good in your kilt, chin up, shoulders back, confident and happy. Works a charm.

[pakiltedff]

I flew twice so far this year. Both times I had no problem getting through security in Harrisburg, PA, Detroit, MI, Naples FL, Milwaukee, WI and Appleton WI. I was asked by the TSA people twice if I would not mind participating in training "new" agents in dealing with kilts. The one guy asked me where he could get a kilt like mine

[Riverkilt]

My choice for flying is to replace the sporran with a travel vest. Take it off for X Ray like a sporran. Just much more comfy to fly in if needed. Stuff is better organized if I toss the travel vest in the overhead.

For the life of me I don't understand why all men don't kilt up for comfort when they fly. Todays sardine seating makes FREEDOM essential.

Perhaps some forward thinking kiltmaker will advertise in one of the inflight magazines..."Cramped up? - you could be FREE if you flew in a kilt"

A progressive airline would pass out kilts like they pass out little blankets and little pillows.

[TheSp8]

I wear one of my UK originals when I fly and get pulled for extra screening about half the time. After all, it is a baggy garment and things could be carried past. Unfortunately, I could get something past almost all the pat downs. The TSA guys have all been friendly and comment on the kilt in a favorable way. The only time I set of the metal detector was the time I forgot to take off my belt. Kilted is the only way to fly.

YMOS,
Tony

[funeral director]

Ive flewn to and from Australia on many times, via different stopovers, every where ive been have had people smile and turn back to look at me. Its nice to travel and have people show interest. Going through customs has been a headache, always stopped and body searched.

on 5 ocassions have been moved from economy class to business or first class. I now wear my kilt always, sometimes even for work.

[2176agp]

Not exactly the same, but when boarding the ferry to the Statue of Liberty one encounters 'airport style' security. After several attempts, I was wanded, and it was the buckles on my kilt.

I half expected them to confiscate my kilt pin, a simple safety pin style type, given the 'no sharp objects' notices posted everywhere.

Tony