Sporran in airport security

[MtnBiker]

Any thoughts on what kind of trouble my sporran will give me in airport security (international flight)?

In particular, what about the chain?

Check & carry my stuff in a more innocuous bag?

Thanks!

[bikercelt1]

On my last trip the sporran didn't cause any trouble (the buckles on my kilt were another matter however). I just slipped it off and put on the scanner conveyor. I use a strap instead of a chain but my daughters boyfriend had no trouble with the chain on his wallet so I shouldn't think you'd have trouble with your sporran chain. A call to airport security would be a good way to confirm this though.

Jamie

[Graham]

You slipped off your kilt and put on the scanner conveyor?

that would turn a few heads!

[bikercelt1]

Oh Graham, you sly one you. That'll teach me to be less than concise in my verbage. It does make me wonder, if I dropped thhe kilt would I have been searched more thoroughly or less thoroughly than I was?

Jamie

[Hamish]

Any thoughts on what kind of trouble my sporran will give me in airport security (international flight)?

In particular, what about the chain?

Check & carry my stuff in a more innocuous bag?

Thanks!

Firstly, I have to ask why you are wearing a kilt-destroying abrasive chain on your sporran, unless you are wearing full evening dress? An all-leather strap is not only kinder to your kilt, but it is also less trouble all round!

If you must wear the chain, then remove your sporran and place it on the X-ray conveyor belt with your hand-luggage. Alternatively, seek advice of the Security officers before stepping through the archway, as I do regarding the large buckles on my kilt belts.

If you normally wear a kilt pin, you'd be well advised to remove it and pack it in your checked-in luggage. In all probability it will not be welcomed in the cabin, although much depends upon the airline you are using.

Have a great trip, wherever you are going.

[Graham]

Also....(and I agree with Hamish) a velcro fastened kilt would be a good idea for travelling, no buckles to upset the security folk.

[phil h]

I wear a fanny pack(bumbag) when I go on a plane, they make you take it off to pass thru the machine.
so there will be no probs.

[MtnBiker]

Ok, all good stuff ....

As for the chain -- I only have 1 sporran and it has a chain. I should look and see if that could be replaced with a leather strap. If it can't be replaced, I will just leave it at home.

As for the velcro versus buckles -- both of the kilts that I would consider wearing having buckles.

Now I don't know what to do about this. Are the buckles going to be an issue, or simply something to be wanded over?

Hamish -- in what manner do you warn security about your buckles? And since you mentioned it -- I'm going to Ireland! YEAH!

[Cthulhu]

About the chain ruining your kilt issue.

I've asked this of the sales gentlemen at Hector Russell Toronto location and his response was "I've worn this kilt and this chain for the last 5 years and as long as the snaps (where the chain attaches to the sporran) are turned away from the kilt there should be no problem". He showed me where the chain laid against the kilt and there seemed to be no wear anywhere.

Has anyone actually seen the wear of a chain or is it a myth that's been passed down?

As a side note I only ever use a chain and have not seen any wear on my kilt from it.

[mkmound]

Ok, all good stuff ....

. . .
Now I don't know what to do about this. Are the buckles going to be an issue, or simply something to be wanded over?
. . .

At least for the US airports that I've been through, I just took off the sporran and belt. The kilt buckles set off the metal detector, so I got wanded. (I think what Hamish meant is that he mentioned to the security folks before he went through the arch that the buckles would probably set off the detector -- that's what I did.) By the time you also take off your shoes, and in my case, take the laptop computer out of the case -- I was glad I had allowed some extra time!

Interestingly, on occasions where I've worn traditional kilt hose with commercially-made garters and flashes, the metal clips on the garters also caused the wand to beep! (Another good reason for following Blu's instructions for making your own flashes with velcro!)

Regards,
Mark