I'm back

[Graham]

Doc, my impression, (right or wrong) as that a lot of those security folk really loved wearing a uniform and a badge, seemed to go to their heads a bit.

[Graham]

Forgot...Rocky, jury Duty in a kilt!! well that's something I've ever done.

[bubba]

Doc, my impression, (right or wrong) as that a lot of those security folk really loved wearing a uniform and a badge, seemed to go to their heads a bit.

A bit? Too many of em are badly trained rent a cops that think having authority is an excuse for unbridaled use of authority so soothe their crippled egos. Then there's the perverts and rapists. Rape complaints have been rising against those security people doing the "searches". Little, if anything, is done about those rape and molestation complaints. Our security at airports is a disgrace. Most of those "security" people have no more training than watching an hour of video and taking a short written test and the background checks called for are often not done.

[philbo]

Airport security here in Bozeman isn't too bad. I think there was a Scottish security guard last time I flew. While I was about to be searched, one of the guards asked me to remove my belt, but another guard said "Leave him alone man, he's wearing a kilt, for Christ's sake!" He then apologized for the other guard's behavior and let me board the plane.

[bikercelt1]

Well the airport security issue wasn't unexpected, I always have trouble with "authority figures" and I actually expected worse so I wasn't too upset.

Yes, Glen, I did get up to Briadl Veil Falls for a picture but before we could take it the skies opened up with lightning, hail, and torential rain. At that point pictures were the last thing on our minds. I was somewhat suprised at how much of a non-event wearing a kilt was. I had a few people ask but not as many as I expected. One of the most surprising was when we went to Mesa Verde. I was wearing my black Utilikilt. The other tourists tried to ignore it but one of the Rangers asked about it and wondered if it was one of Howies' kilts. That was really curious to me that He would know about Howie but not Utilikilt I wanted to ask but he was intent on singing that goofy pop tune "The Scotsman". He did tell me that I was the fourth guy he'd seen that day wearing a kilt. He said he'd noticed that all of us were the first ones down the ladders and the last ones up! Maybe that's what made him want to sing the song to me. He told my wife and daughters that he was really jealous, the Park Service insists that he wear heavy wool uniform pants or he'd consider a kilt for himself.

Stay tuned, tomorrow is my day off and I hope to get a couple of pictures posted.

Jamie

[Northern Celt]

Graham,


I love to fly but I HATE AIRPORT SECURITY WITH A PASSION!!!

I have a steel plate in my shoulder and walk with a cane. I'm forced to send my cane through the blasted X-ray conveyor, remove my belt, and still get get wanded and questioned when my plate sets off the alarm...........

You might try getting your doctor to give you a small card with a copy of your shoulder x-ray on it...my Mom has one for her hip replacements

[GMan]

Jamie,

A shame about the falls, I never even thought about Mesa Verde and the ladders, it must of been a lot of fun with people making it a non event. I have experienced quite a bit of it lately myself. Cannot wait to hear more of your adventures, and maybe even compare notes on where we have kilted.

[Xcop]

Northern Celt is right Doc. It could make the process easier. They offered one to me because I have plates in my neck to hold my head on...( 3 spinal fusions) My plates and screws are titanium so don't seem to cause a problem. Like many others my problem is the power trip that the morons working for the TSA are on.

[Plastic Paddy]

I could almost deal with the "Power Trip" if it only brought higher security. I won't tolerate rudeness and inconvenience unless I am more secure, but that is not the case.

I know several supervisors and "Line troops" and I wouldn't trust them to watch my pint while I went to the toilet, let alone the security of the airlines.

I was flying with nine other soldiers on military orders and we were all flagged for search from when I checked in at the counter. Ten out of twenty searched going on a 747 were deploying US Soldiers...

Cheers,

Tobie

[Hamish]

Dave W. and I flew into Portland OR airport in June last year (from Washington DC via Phoenix AR). On the same 'Tour' of the USA, we also flew into (and out of) New York, JFK, and out of Seattle (Tacoma). Other parts of our journey were undertaken courtesy of AmTrak. Throughout our visit, we wore kilts, Utilikilts or (yes, I HAVE to admit it, because they are so much more comfortable than sitting on masses of pleats for hours on end) purpose made masculine s----s.

Nowhere, that I recall, did we meet with any rudeness or ill-treatment from the security personnel. Some of the procedures perhaps seemed a little unnecessary, but if the traveller approaches the experience with the right attitude and is prepared to co-operate, then all will be well. Yes, wanding became necessary on occasion, but so what?!
As far as footwear was concerned, we were prepared and wore either sandals (without socks, of course!) or slip-on shoes that were easily taken off and replaced. Loose coins, watches, keys, etc. were placed in plastic bags minutes before reaching 'security', thus keeping all the small metallic bits and pieces together, which were easily put into the little dish. The security guys were advised of the large brass/chrome buckles on belts, and of the press-snap fasteners on the Utilikilts before we walked through their arches, which always seemed to be appreciated.

It was not only whilst travelling that we encountered these people; museums, tourist attractions, etc., etc. also had strict security checks in operation, especially in NYC, but that was no problem to either of us.

Maybe our English/British accents helped us!!!