To cap badge or not to cap badge

[McNulty]

I'll be traveling to Chicago over the Holidays to see my new grandson and as usual I'll be kilted. The question is, what to do with my cap badge? I remove the kilt pin when traveling but should I do the same for the badge and then put it back on when we get to our destination? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Nulty

[pastorsteve]

I wouldn't dare give advice but I wouldn't take the clan pin off for travel. You'll simply have to put it through the x-ray machine, pinned or not, so why bother? It's just like any other jewelry that you take off to get through the system.

[MacMillans son]

I think the mystery question is whether they will consider the pin part long enough to be a "weapon". If it's held on with two piece friction pins like some medals (or ear rings), or Chicago screws it likely would not be a problem.

I remember when things first started we heard about fingernail clippers, and just about anything with a point, being considered possible weapons, and subject to confiscation. I'm not sure if they have let up on that level of scrutiny or not. You would hate to get all the way to the security point and have them give you the option of "leave it or don't get on the plane".

A phone call to someone may be in order to avoid last minute problems. Or, put it in checked baggage and not worry about it.

Good luck!

[ThistleDown]

Put your bonnet in your luggage along with your sgian and all other bits and pieces of metal that may cause ringing of bells. Fly in great comfort and re-attire yourself as you wish at the other end. It's easy: if the buzzes occur, raise your arms and smile; they pass that wandy thing up and down and over you, ask about your buckles, and away you go.

[Nighthawk]

Put your bonnet in your luggage along with your sgian and all other bits and pieces of metal that may cause ringing of bells. Fly in great comfort and re-attire yourself as you wish at the other end. It's easy: if the buzzes occur, raise your arms and smile; they pass that wandy thing up and down and over you, ask about your buckles, and away you go.

Wouldn't that be nice...? The wand is no longer considered effective enough for security.

So- if the question "Should I take ____ through security?" pops into your mind, the answer is "NO! You should not." If you find it questionable, they will most certainly see it as a security risk, and they could cause you more trouble than they're worth. (Ambiguity in that statement was intentional by the way... I have been labeled as a domestic extremist after all- along with the framers of the 4th amendment!) So put it in your checked luggage!! Avoid the suspicion that that dangerous piece of jewelry will undoubtedly cause!

[Arnot]

I really would not worry about the cap badge. I have been flying for years with a badge on my bonnet. No problems at all.

[Tobus]

A phone call to someone may be in order to avoid last minute problems.

From reading passenger anecdotes around the web, it seems apparent that enforcement of (or understanding of) the rules is not the same everywhere. Any item that is slightly questionable may be perfectly acceptable to one screener in one airport, while another screener at a different airport might find fault with it.

So for items that are not clearly defined in their rule book (and I have to believe Scottish cap badges are not clearly identified), it might be better to check it in luggage and avoid the risk. Because once you're at the checkpoint, saying "they told me on the phone it was OK" isn't going to impress them very much.

[nagod]

flew twice recently,cap badge went through with sporran change,etc.no problem.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I have been labeled as a domestic extremist after all- along with the framers of the 4th amendment!

Sadly, purchasing an aero-plane ticket constitutes implied consent to rummage through your luggage before boarding the aircraft... that said, despite the amazing paraphernalia I toss into my bags when traveling, I have never once had the TSA* question or remove anything from my suitcases.


*(TSA, an acronym for Thousands Standing Around)

[Mark Stephenson]

I would put your hat in your checked baggage.
From a practical perspective, you will be indoors and would not be likely to be wearing your hat. So, instead of having one more thing to handle, just put it in checked baggage in a place where you can easily retrieve it when you get your bags at your destination.