Travelling in a kilt

[Graham]

I was so excited about seeing the Chieftains that I forgot to mention my experiences re my first flight in a kilt.
This topic came up a while back in relation to airport scanners and kilts.

Going OUT of Tasmania was no problem, there is no security, I could have been carrying a gun and they would not have known.

However, leaving Melbourne to return home was another matter - international airport, more security.

Well the sporran had to come off, then the kilt pin, then the SHOES (I told them I took no responsibility for the smell). The shoes had metal clips on them.
I asked the lass if she wanted me to take the kilt off - she said no, with a very straight face (no sense of humour).

I was then "wanded" for bomb material, it took a while, but I was in no hurry.

I know I was not "airport friendly" in my dress, it was only one flight, if I was travelling a lot I would not wear a pin, wear a velcro fasting kilt, soft shoes and a leather bum-bag.

While travelling I got few comments, airline staff are too polite to say anything.

[Will]

Thanks Graham for sharing your experience traveling in a kilt. I had wondered how flying kilted might turn out.
A recent experience traveling in a car makes me think I won't wear a kilt while flying. I drove home kilted (Stillwater Standard) from a business trip. I was in the car about 3 hours. I couldn't believe how wrinkled the pleats were after the drive home. I imagine sitting in an airplane seat would have a similar effect.

[Gary]

BearKilts travel well, don't wrinkle, wash and dry well, don't need to be ironed. Just flew to Baltimore, MD and had no problems with security. Wore the kilt with a sweater and slip on shoes, carried a messenger bag instead of wearing a sporran/fanny pack. Even had a client request that I wear my kilt when we went out for dinner.

[JackK]

On my recent trip to Las Vegas, posted before, I wore my black denim Utilikilt. No problem leaving Grand Rapids Michigan, but had to do the wanding when leaving Vegas. The Kilt held up well on the fights, even tipping over a Coke, great just runs down the apron to the floor. I always try to wear the heavyiest graments that I am taking, it makes packing much easier, but I think flying in the UK with all the snaps may not be a good idea with todays security. I agree, a good Bear kilt and sporran might be the best. Now if we could get heavy plastic or wood kilt pins and buckles.

Jack

[Andrew Breecher]

I've flown from the U.S. to Ireland and back in a traditional wool kilt. Leaving the U.S. the metal detectors were set high, so the buckles set it off (I'd put my belt and sporran through the x-ray) and I had to be wanded. No big deal - I wasn't in a hurry, and I expected it. On the way back the detector wasn't set as high, so I didn't set anything off, again putting the sporran and belt through the conveyor belt.

As for sitting on the pleats for five to six hours, I just spent some time after sitting arranging them under me so they were flat, and I didn't have any problems.

Andrew.

[Blu (Ontario)]

... However, leaving Melbourne to return home was another matter - international airport, more security....

All said and done, are you ok with the added inconvenience or do you find it objectionable?

[GMan]

Graham,

Glad to hear that they let you come home, what would Tasmania be without its kilted ambassador

Also thanks for filling us in as to the flight.

[Will]

...I was in the car about 3 hours. I couldn't believe how wrinkled the pleats were after the drive home....

Actually, I have driven for a shorter time (~1.5hrs) and hadn't noticed the wrinkling. That was why I was so surprised.
I do plan to buy some other brands in the future. In fact, I have a USAkilt on order.

[Graham]

... However, leaving Melbourne to return home was another matter - international airport, more security....

All said and done, are you ok with the added inconvenience or do you find it objectionable?

.


Blu I would suffer any inconvenience to wear a kilt when travelling. It was all fun, as everything is in a kilt

[Graham]

Graham,

Glad to hear that they let you come home, what would Tasmania be without its kilted ambassador

Also thanks for filling us in as to the flight.

Yes Glen it would be horrible to have to stay on the mainland and not get home.
Which reminds me, I have to renew my Australian passport or else I may get stranded in Scotland when I go there - wouldn't that be terrible!!