Advice for Flying Needed

[MacWage]

Travel kilt:

1. Looks something like a kilt (so as to distinguish it from "a man in a skirt")
2. Wrinkle resistant (material issue-> relatively easy to do)
3. plastic buckles (for metal detectors->nylon webing and click clips-> either side squeeze or center button)
4. DEEP front inverted pleats (to prevent "peeps")
5. breathable fabric (so as not to get too hot and sweaty in seat/rump area)
6. pleats that hold well, yet wrinkle resistant (here is the hard part)


HEY!!! So far, sounds like a 16 oz. 4 yard box pleat would fit the bill great, as long as it is made with plastic pop-clips.
Is that an anathema idea? :confused:

(Or a women's lacross skirt for Chris :rolleyes: )

Hey, is there a wrinkle resistant material that also pleats well?

(If it is cheap enough, we could all run to our favorite kilt maker and ambush them with orders for kilts with nylon straps plastic clips
OR-> make them yourself!! Even cheaper!!)

On that thought, I have begun using nylon webbing and center button plastic clips on the inner/left side buckle of my "Jedi" tartan kilt. I loved it so much, I retro-fitted it to my other ones. I did the first "internal" strap BEFORE I saw Matt's (I couldn't make myself cut a hole/slit in the wool). When I saw Matt's, I felt better, especially as he has some historical justification. The leather strap and buckle "bit" into my hip, so I tried the nylon and plastic clip (we had it on sale for 65 cents as the store). I LOVED it so much, I'll do it for now on. I use this on the left (on the "inside") and a leather and buckle on the right (on the outside/visible).
All that was said for the sticklers who love the leather and buckle. The plastic ones are not really all that bad. I've also seen a few used on camo kilts, where it looks good and appropiate ON THE OUTSIDE. I would also fit this purpose GREAT-> NO metal on the kilt itself-> No reason for a "strip search" (unless the screener- HOPEFULLY FEMALE!- wants to see what's "under the kilt" :rolleyes: ) .

PS- Speaking for the (hetero) guys-> all others (M & F) replace words as appropriate.

[davedove]

Most the time there's some security-joker that's trying to manuever a particular agent into searching me. Always good to bring a little levity into the life of the TSA. You don't think that might be why I set off metal detectors do you? :rolleyes: Nah, that wouldn't happen.

I think that's what happened on my last cruise. I just know the one agent was just trying to see if he could get the other agent to do a pat down on me. He did, but it was a quick one.

Whatever I'm wearing when I go through airport security, I do my best to remove ALL metal and put it in my carryon. It's just easier that way.

I am very intrigued about the idea of a travel kilt.

[Fearnest]

Lots of great (and old) discussion on getting through security and getting comfy in the plane in a kilt...

The only reason I'm refreshing this thread is to add a caution to flyers - if the unthinkable happens and there's a fire on board, you'll wind up in much worse shape if you're wearing synthetic fabrics or clothing that doesn't cover your skin. Slim chance? Perhaps, but if you've been seriously burned or know someone who has, you probably won't take the chance ever again.

Me? I had a friend who had synthetics peeled out of his skin where they fused - it was a really long time for him to recover fully. So now when I travel by air, anywhere, any time of the year, I'm in long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes... all in natural materials (as much as possible - it's tough to find an "all-natural" shoe, admittedly).

Just an alternative opinion.

[McClef]

I haven't tried flying in the US in a kilt (not yet anyway)

But haven't encountered any problems on UK internal flights - I have more problems with my hand luggage because being diabetic I need to carry needles (never had a problem with them in the US though!). Cardiff and Edinburgh always insist on examining my hand luggage which I have never encountered at any other airports.

Flying to Edinburgh next week but that's only an hour but I have no problem getting seated - I just run my hands over the pleats before I sit down and it works fine.

ALways pack the sgian and kilt pins in hold luggage and put sporran and belt through the hand luggage machine before going through the portal.

Edinburgh Airport even let my mate through with his kilt pin as he had forgotten to put it in his luggage and I thought it would be confiscated and lost for ever. I would suspect that this is the exception to the rule though and wouldn't risk it.

[O'Neille]

I always travel kilted. Usually in one of my Black "Stealth Kilts". No Metal, Velcro, wrinkle resistant, can't see spills, quicky drying. If I'm going for tartan then I just wear a PV 5 yarder. O'Neille

It would be interesting to see a design for a "travel kilt" specifically designed to let you be comfortably seated for long periods of time and was airport friendly. A medium weight, wrinkle resistant fabric with plastic snaps and minimal pleats, elastic or semi-elastic waist closures, all while looking sharp and not overly casual....

If you were to design a travel kilt, what features would you want?

[IEScotsman]

For those of you who have kilted air travel experience in the US, were there airports and/or airlines that seemed more kilt friendly? I might be flying to Richmond in October for the highland games, via JFK. JetBlue is opening a flight from Nashville to JFK. I can fly this way cheaper than I can straight to Richmond or Norfolk.

Oddly enough, my wife and I encountered a big difference while traveling from Los Angeles to Buffalo, NY. We figured if we had any problems, it would be in LA (huge airport, millions of people, more security). NOPE! When we went to Buffalo to head back to Los Angeles, they stopped her for lip gloss. It contained 1oz. of lip gloss and was CLEARED when we took off from LA. They were MUCH more worried about it. Maybe it's because they are close to the Canadian border and Canada doesn't have much in terms of security.

[Dreadbelly]

Get a good running start and pray for gravitus interuptus.

[Chef]

OK, a few notes from my experiences traveling in a kilt; keeping in mind that I currently only own traditionals.

Other than one amusing situation (I had the lucky ticket for the more thorough inspection) where two security personel debated on the proper procedure for hand searching a man in a kilt I have had little trouble traveling in my kilts. Occassionaly I have security admonish me for wearing a garment with metal buckles but thats about it.

My tips for flying follow:

Forget the garters with metal I have a couple of pairs with velcro so I don't need to remove them.

Kilt pins are ok if they are the snap on back style (leave the old fashioned style at home or put it in your checked luggage) you will probably still need to remove it but they won't take it from you.

Obviously check the sgian dubh or leave it at home. The same goes for the dirk.

One thing I don't compromise on is my shoes, I hate slip-ons with a kilt so I have to deal with the pain of lace-ups. I rarely wear ghilles and haven't bothered with them for traveling.

I don't wear often a belt I usually wear a sweater or waiscoat. (I like the waistcoat since it is a good way to cover a wrinkled shirt after a long flight. When I have worn a belt it obviously has to be removed for security but I also take it off during the flight as I find it can be uncomfortable to wear for a long time. I do the same with the sporran on a long flight as well.

As far as the pleats I have never had a problem with my traditional kilts; granted I usually upgrade on longer flights to Business Class (so I have a bit more room for my seat) but I have never had a problem with wrinkles in my kilt. One key is that I get up every hour or so and walk around a bit (good idea anyway) and that lets me redo the pleats. Otherwise I find they can get slightly out of whack just from shifting positions in my seat.

Just my $.02

[McClef]

Different airports do seem to have different policies on certain things IEScot.

It's not just Buffalo (nice airport though you can't see the city from it).

I just checked Cardiff Airport's security prohibition list and NO cosmetics of any kind are allowed, yet it also notes that solid cosmetics ARE allowed at airports owned by BAA (British Airports Authority).

Cardiff is a little further from Canada than Buffalo

[Graham]

The kilt is great for air travel, but I always wear a casual PV. velcro, no metal, slip on sandals, no dirk , airport security will hassle you whatever you wear...esp. US airports (never again), I'm sure they employ ex-prison guards!

OK so the pleats get a bit messed up! everyone looks pretty ragged after 20 hours flying!
But 20 hours in a seat, wouldn't be caught in trousers again.