Kilts on airplanes

[Hamish]

Having recently travelled from London (Gatwick) to Vancouver, and then back again two weeks later, I can report the following:

For both flights I wore a Standard model (zip fly front, now discontinued) Original Utilikilt. The only 'snaps' on this model are those on the pocket flaps and two at the waistband, beneath the belt buckle. I also wore slip-on shoes, rather than boots or lace-up shoes, for ease of removal if required at security (and for simple removal during the 10 hour flight). Other than that I was wearing an open-necked, long-sleeved shirt and kilt hose.

At both airports, I emptied my pockets into my carry-on shoulder bag, and before stepping through the security 'arch', I indicated my belt buckle and the snaps to the official in charge and was waved through with total friendliness and courtesy. At both airports it was the six kilt snaps and belt buckle that set off the alarms. This prompted the 'wanding ceremony' and the examination of the soles of my shoes, but this was no problem at all. I experienced no intimidation or pressure because I was wearing a Utilikilt.

Frankly, I expect to be wanded at airports and have no objection to it - of course, much depends upon the attitude of the officials at security, but I have never been hassled in that area. Now, Passport Control (or Immigration) is something else - not in Canada, they couldn't have been more pleasant, considering their jobs - but on entering the USA when Dave and I made our Coast-to-Coast Tour in 2003 it was a very different story. Extremely 'rude' and 'obnoxious' are two words that come immediately to mind when I recall that 'welcoming committee' at JFK airport. I was much better treated when I paid two visits to Moscow back in the late 80's - and that's saying a lot!

My advice then: do not travel in a full, 8 yard kilt. Those aircraft seats are devilishly difficult to settle into at the best of times, without having to arrange all that fabric beneath you for a long flight. Footwear: make sure it is of the type easy to get out of and into in a hurry. Carry a couple of small plastic bags in your pockets then, prior to security, put all the contents of your pockets into those bags, which can then be put into your carry-on bag or put into, and easily retrieved from, the plastic tray they provide. If you are wearing a belt buckle, or any other metallic items, point them out before you pass through that arch. Kilt pins are best avoided. Some airports might conviscate them - best pack them in your check-in baggage.

I trust that helps.

[Raphael]

I just flew home from Fort St. John, BC and I was kilted the both way. I was wearing my 4 yard Bear Kilt. The 4 yarder is the best kilt to travel in. It has no metal buckles and I didn't need to wear a belt either. I didn't set off the alarm. After sitting on the seat for 2 hours, it was wrinkle free.

Really, What do you expect airport securities to think of your kilt anyway?

[Graham]

Good report Hamish, and good advice.

I would expect nothing but courtesy from Canadian and British airports.
I found Denver and San Fransisco good too, but don't ever go through LA, I never will again.

I wish I'd worn slip on shoes, that's a good one.

[flyv65]

I found Denver and San Fransisco good too, but don't ever go through LA, I never will again.

I can assure you as a regular flyer out of DIA (Denver) that courtesy on the part of the security drones must be entirely the luck of the draw. I've never flown out of that airport (and I do it frequently) without being wanded or at least scrutinized.

Bryan...and a government ID doesn't help a bit...

[Andrew Breecher]

I've flown from the U.S.A. to Ireland and back, wearing a traditional 8-yard "tank." Both times I was wanded, simply because the buckles set off the metal detector, but I have no problem with that. It added all of two minutes to the process. I removed my sporran and belt before I went through the metal detector, and security got a kick out of it. They're just doing their job, and they have to wand you if you set off the detector. I indicated that there were metal buckles, and they wanded me, found that it was indeed the buckles setting of the machine, and were happy. I will be wearing a Velcro kilt next time I fly, but I'm sure I'll get a security check anyway, since I'll be carrying a one-way ticket (going into LAX, Graham, your favourite airport).

Andrew.

[Cawdorian]

Flying with a one-way ticket will get you double scrutiny for sure!

Jim

[Rigged]

I've flown kilted in the US, Paris, and Frankfurt. I flew trousered for the 17-hours from San Francisco to London, but I flew back kilted (black UK Mocker) -- much more comfortable. I traveled kilted through most of Western Europe with no troubles.

The photos are on my website:

http://www.mindstation.com/new.html