Flying Kilted

[Retro Red]

While I know this topic has been touched on before (there's nothing new under the sun...), but I wanted to relate my recent experience of flying kilted for the first time.

My recent trip to Seattle & Victoria was not only the first time I've flown while wearing a kilt, but it was also the first time I've flown since 9/11 & all the increased security measures. Yeah, I know, I was lo-o-ong overdue for a vacation.

Getting through the airport security wasn't bad at all & pretty much what I expected. I was wearing an Utilikilt Original, t-shirt, slouch hose & Doc Martens. After taking off my shoes, belt & all the stuff in my pockets, I figured the snaps on the UK would still set off the alarm & sure enough, they did. So, I got wanded & patted down, but that didn't take very long. I figured it was a small price to pay for being so comfortable.

Pretty much the same story on the return flight. The one difference is that when I got home & unpacked my duffle bag, I found a note saying that my bag had been opened & inspected. Not sure whether it was just the luck of the draw or whether the sgian dubhs & sporrans I packed had them curious about the contents, but nothing was missing & it was all repacked okay - no harm, no foul.

Bottom line is, I'll always fly kilted.

Oh, & as for packing my kilts, I laid them apron down then covered the pleats with several layers of packing tissue & then carefully rolled the kilt from the left side (so as to roll with the direction of the knife pleats) & then slid them into the legging I'd cut off from a pair of pany hose. They arrived in great shape; didn't even need to steam the pleats or anything.

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[cessna152towser]

As you say, Retro, flying kilted shouldn't be a problem so long as you travel without a kilt pin or sgian dhu, or if you will need them at the other end pack them in your checked in luggage. I had the same last Tuesday at Dublin, off with the belt, sporran, boots and spectacles and put them all through the x-ray - yet I still set off the metal detector and had to undergo a frisk - the security guy was OK about it and said it was probably the metal in the kilt buckles which set off the detector.

[KiltedKop45]

I will keep that all in mind when I take my trip to Dumfries in January

[Hachiman]

Hi folks!

Since I'm flying to Atlanta (hopefully) this November, I've been thinking a lot about the logisitics of navigating thru customs, etc.

And the thought occurred to me: " if one wanted to fly kilted (and why not?!), would there be a suitable alternative to the metal buckles found one the straps of a traditional kilt, so as to avoid setting off the metal detectors?"

I say "traditional", because I don't like the utilikilt style myself (just a personal preference, that's all).

any thoughts, people?

cheers

Hachiman

[taxdragon]

I plan to wear my SWK thrifty kilt on a plane next week. No buckles to set off the detectors.

[Coinneach]

Get a long piece of leather...maybe an old belt where you've removed all the metal pieces...and attach velcro to the ends. Put your kilt belt in your carryon, so after you clear the detectors you can switch from the temporary to the real belt.

By the way, I've never tried this. Your mileage may vary.

[mkmound]

Hi folks!

Since I'm flying to Atlanta (hopefully) this November, I've been thinking a lot about the logisitics of navigating thru customs, etc.

And the thought occurred to me: " if one wanted to fly kilted (and why not?!), would there be a suitable alternative to the metal buckles found one the straps of a traditional kilt, so as to avoid setting off the metal detectors?"

I say "traditional", because I don't like the utilikilt style myself (just a personal preference, that's all).

any thoughts, people?

cheers

Hachiman

I have had two USA Kilt semi-trads made up with velcro instead of straps and buckles for that reason -- buckles in my other kilts set off the metal detectors. Great for travel!

On the topic of kilt pins and travel, it seems like there has been at least one occasion where I've forgotten to take the kilt pin off and put it in my checked luggage. If I recall correctly, I just took it off the kilt and put it in my sporran to send through the XRay. No problems there.

[staticsan]

I flew Sydney to Seoul and then to JFK. I wore my Neokilt and it's buckles never set off any detectors. Got a nice comment from one of the Customs officers at JFK, too!

Wade.

[Verlyn]

Neither my buckles nor my kilt pin have ever set off the detectors and I thought they would. At one airport, it was slow and the TSA guy was more interested in asking about the tartan than anything else. A guy in a kilt does NOT blend into the crowd and anyone up to something does not want to be noticed.

[Nervous Jock]

I think folk are getting a bit excited about setting the detectors off. Changing buckles and doing velcro seems all very very excessive.

(I flew about 20 times in my kilt last year)