Flying Kilted and the TSA as of November 2011

[Jewish Highlander]

Greetings all,

I had a wonderful time recently flying from Indianapolis, Indiana in my new "Ancient MacBeth" 8 yrd wool kilt to Gainesville, Florida via Atlanta, Georgia to attend a seminar on Qigong from Grandmaster Wong. I admit that I was a little nervous since I have not flown at all since 9-11 and had heard all sorts of horror stories associated with TSA especially the hassle that they might give a kilt wearer. Everyone was told to take off their shoes, loose outer clothing, empty all their pockets, take off their belt, remove their hats (I kept my bonnet on since it was my kippah!) and place their belongings in trays provided. Opting out of the main scanner and just the metal detector I set it off with my kilt buckles and was asked if I wanted to be examined in the open area or a private area. I said that the public area was okay and then was searched in and around my body and kilt by hand and with a metal detector. No hands were up the kilt and they were very professional about explaining ahead of time how they would pat me down being careful of any medical or painful areas. Although the whole procedure took a little more time than I wanted to spend, overall it was worth being able to wear a kilt and feel safe about the whole matter.

Special note: the TSA apparently also do some sort of chemical detection and I was kind of worried about that since I had recently attended the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Tippecanoe and I was wondering if there might be some gun powder residue on my kilt and outfit. All I had done was just airing out my kilt outside on a clothesline to get rid of all the smoke smell (which it did).

Happy kilting!

[Jewish Highlander]

More thoughts about traveling kilted:

Since I was traveling light with just a back pack, I went ahead and took a day or a Laird's plaid with me to bundle up when the weather if the weather was cold while traveling. I did not anticipate needing it in Gainesville, Florida but it was very cold there and indispensable in keeping the chill off and even using it as a blanket to lay on and read a book in a park. I thought that a great kilt would have been too much to fly with and since I was going south, I did not think that I would need it.

Lots of looks, stares, good comments, questions and even some people wanted to take their picture with me! LOL! Fun practicing Tai Chi in a kilt also.

[davidg]

Sounds like you had a lot of fun

[Chas]

I am glad that it was a relatively positive experience. We have heard so many scare and horror stories in the last few years. I have wondered if tourist numbers are down.

Regards

Chas

[cessna152towser]

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.

[ForresterModern]

Defintely rethink the idea of flying with a great kilt as you will have to remove the belt and, well, I think you know what happens next. Unless you want to carry a hank of rope just for that purpose.

[Jewish Highlander]

Yes ForresterModern, with a great kilt the usual idea of wearing a belt, extra material and all the folds of cloth that they would have to examine would make it difficult and require time for the TSA agents to make sure you pass inspection. As I stated before the agents were also sensitive to my informing them of my bonnet being my kippah and I also recall them asking if it were even possible to remove my belt (for those truly wearing a belted plaid but only the bottom part). I think that a non metalic belt would help in those conditions. One other thing for food for thought is the idea of comfort and sitting in a kilt in a confined space for a long duration. I have not been kilted under such conditions since I usually am walking around more so kilted. Sitting comfortably for an seemingly indefinite period of time during and between flights can be a little unnerving since you have to be constantly aware of not flashing others while trying to maintain comfort. And for those who may wonder...I was fully kilted for the whole weekend for the first time (which really saved on packing in my backpack) and traveling one way to my destination through three airports and two flights initially I decided to go regimental. Doing so, I was constantly worried about the occasional "flash" that was possible and had decided that for overall peace of mind and I decided that given all the things I had to be concerned with, I was personally better off in this case of not having to worry about that issue while I could focus more on making my connections and getting up and down from seats quickly. That would be also for a great kilt with all the extra cloth unless you were very comfortable with dealing with such issues.

[Jewish Highlander]

In general, overall I found flying while kilted to be freeing, better way to regulate body temperature, interesting for all and just plain fun! It is so different than most people usually see that I think that you really do get noticed and appreciated by most for being brave enough to do so. Yes, the stewardesses in particular give you more attention and a smile than usual.

[Riverkilt]

Never had a problem flying kilted. Think there are enough of us now that TSA doesn't freak. I'm sure you were the most comfortable man on the plane - FREEDOM!!

[Mikewood]

This is really good to hear. I will be flying the 1st of December and was thinking it might be too much trouble or rather get me into trouble. It sounds like putting my boots back on will be my only concern and they are side zips and no more difficult than any other day.