Security check at LAX airport

[tpa]

If you think of a sporran as a handbag that is worn round the waist, it is easy to see where they are coming form as the purpose and reason for having them is the same, at least if the woman is wearing a skirt or dress. In the UK generally only 1 carry on is allowed and handbags count. Personally I have never been challenged on my sporran, but if need be could always slide it into my backpack/camera case. My wife always has to put her handbag in her backpack.

In the aircraft, I have been asked to remove a small bag from my waist because the seat belt went round it.

[Deirachel]

AS I mentioned in the other thread, a fanny pack is a "pocket" worn about the waist via a belt. It's a carry-on. And, a sporran is a purse. Here's a link to the definition of a purse. Here's a link to the definition of a sporran. A purse is a bag to hold things. A sporran is a bag to carry things. Common usage has made purse a "womanly" thing, but it is not. How many men here carry a coin purse? I know I saw at least one thread dedicated to the things a year or so ago, here on Xmarks.

And while the vast majority of the time, we all wear our sporran, it is not something that we HAVE to wear.

I've worn my kilts without it on occasion. I just carried my things in my jacket pockets (rock concerts mostly, because I didn't want the hassle of searching/"no you can't have that chain belt" "but that guy has a chained wallet" crap). There are even times when I am wearing a sporran and I DON'T carry things in it (formal events for example: keys, ids, money and cards in a nice slim fob in the inner jacket pocket.

The vast majority of kilts don't have pockets, but some do. It is a choice to not have pockets in your custom made kilt.

It's a choice to wear a sporran. When you make a choice, you have to deal with the restrictions said choice creates for you.

[PodKiDo]

There is a small similarity between the two definitions. The sporran is always associated with the kilt and never called a handbag. The purse is also associated with women and kilts are traditionally menswear. If you were to wear a sporran with trousers, then I would agree with you.

[CDNSushi]

I find that wherever I've ever traveled, in spite of whatever the rules or signs say, reality is often very different. Most depends on how strictly any particular employee decides they're going to enforce whatever rule you happen to run afoul of. There isn't a rhyme or reason to it, from what I can tell, other than whether someone happens to be having a good or crappy day, and if it's the latter -- watch out!

I've also traveled extensively, (much of it kilted through airports) but this is the first time I've heard of a sporran being called a carry-on item. If I ever did encounter that, I would point out that it is simply a handbag, and that most flight regulations consider a purse or handbag NOT to be one of the allowed pieces of carry-on. But in cases where that weren't the case, I (like Dixiecat) would resolve the situation by simply placing the sporran inside one of my other pieces of carry-on luggage (as I try to travel in such a way that my bags aren't bursting-at-the-seams full).

[Kalok Sundancer]

AS I mentioned in the other thread, a fanny pack is a "pocket" worn about the waist via a belt. It's a carry-on. And, a sporran is a purse. Here's a link to the definition of a purse. Here's a link to the definition of a sporran. A purse is a bag to hold things. A sporran is a bag to carry things. Common usage has made purse a "womanly" thing, but it is not. How many men here carry a coin purse? I know I saw at least one thread dedicated to the things a year or so ago, here on Xmarks.

And while the vast majority of the time, we all wear our sporran, it is not something that we HAVE to wear.

I've worn my kilts without it on occasion. I just carried my things in my jacket pockets (rock concerts mostly, because I didn't want the hassle of searching/"no you can't have that chain belt" "but that guy has a chained wallet" crap). There are even times when I am wearing a sporran and I DON'T carry things in it (formal events for example: keys, ids, money and cards in a nice slim fob in the inner jacket pocket.

The vast majority of kilts don't have pockets, but some do. It is a choice to not have pockets in your custom made kilt.

It's a choice to wear a sporran. When you make a choice, you have to deal with the restrictions said choice creates for you.

I disagree with you. Mainly because I very rarely wear some sort of coat. That makes a sporran a necessity when someone not wearing a utility kilt.

[Dixiecat]

I find that wherever I've ever traveled, in spite of whatever the rules or signs say, reality is often very different. Most depends on how strictly any particular employee decides they're going to enforce whatever rule you happen to run afoul of. There isn't a rhyme or reason to it, from what I can tell, other than whether someone happens to be having a good or crappy day, and if it's the latter -- watch out!

I've also traveled extensively, (much of it kilted through airports) but this is the first time I've heard of a sporran being called a carry-on item. If I ever did encounter that, I would point out that it is simply a handbag, and that most flight regulations consider a purse or handbag NOT to be one of the allowed pieces of carry-on. But in cases where that weren't the case, I (like Dixiecat) would resolve the situation by simply placing the sporran inside one of my other pieces of carry-on luggage (as I try to travel in such a way that my bags aren't bursting-at-the-seams full).

Sorry CdnSushi, TSA rules state that a traveller within the US is allowed only 1 piece of carry on luggage and 1 personal item. That policy covers all airlines within the US. TSA however allows each airline to set the size limit of these items.

It's the luck of the draw if you'll be singled out when you have 3 items or not. Usually after a threat or security issue has occurred at an airport. And LAX gets more than their fair share of threats.

Even still, gate agents and flight attendants reserve the right to allow or refuse anything they want on board a flight. Fore warned is fore armed. If you choose to travel with a sporran due to necessity or cultural significance, it IS considered a personal item and would be subject to the rules above.

Interestingly though, Air Canada does allow a small purse 25cm x 30cm x14cm in addition to the 1 carry on luggage and 1 personal article rule. So, the moral of this thread is to fly AC whenever you can!

[Sammac]

Having just flown out from Michigan to Florida yesterday, they considered my wifes purse a personal item and my cpap was an exception because it was a medical devise. Having flown AC before I would agree with Dixiecat that AC is the way to go if you can.

[vmac3205]

I do not think that is quite a fair statement. I don't think it is ugly American syndrome as much as the People's Republic of California.
There are so many different nationalities, ethnicities, cultures etc here because we are a sanctuary city l. I won't delve in to that further, keeping with the spirit of insuring harmony, but it would be pretty impossibleto be "culturally aware" of so many different cultures. So I accept it as not intentional or arrogance, but lack of knowledge or understanding.

Well said, Seanachie. I was taken aback and mildly offended by the ugly American comment. TSA agents do not have an easy job.

[PodKiDo]

Well said, Seanachie. I was taken aback and mildly offended by the ugly American comment. TSA agents do not have an easy job.

It wasn't meant to be offensive. It was meant to be descriptive. The attitude that US rights and sensibilities are all that matters is epidemic in America. We, as a nation, are perceived as arrogant towards other cultures. Being that our culture is in free fall at the moment doesn't seem to matter.

[seanachie]

It wasn't meant to be offensive. It was meant to be descriptive. The attitude that US rights and sensibilities are all that matters is epidemic in America. We, as a nation, are perceived as arrogant towards other cultures. Being that our culture is in free fall at the moment doesn't seem to matter.

With due respect and courtesy...you are welcome to say I but no we. I have traveled extensively, helped build simple decent homes in foreign countries, helped teach English in Eastern Europe and do not accept the generalization. In any nation I am sure there are a few people who act in ways that are not representative of the norm. From personal experience, I traveled to Russia post communist break up and I found most people shared the same concerns we faced: a decent job, enough money to pay the bills, take care of their family, enjoy life. It was the exception to find people who fit Cold War stereo types. The US is a nation of many cultures, peoples, and diversity using a broad stroke as representative falls short.

I will leave it there.