Kilted in airports

[Howard Clark]

I went from Des Moines, Iowa to London Heathrow in April, wearing an eight yard wool tartan kilt with buckles, both ways. Never have I been treated so nicely when traveling before. I did set off the metal detector at Heathrow on the way out of London, but it was handled in a very courteous and professional way with no real inconvenience to me. One flight attendant just could not fathom that I was not a piper, but hey, other than that it was the best air travel experience of my life thus far. I will never fly in trousers again if I can help it. I think that ones attitude plays a major role in how we are treated, whilst wearing the kilt or not, but especially so when we are. You have the option of how you react, and indeed body language and facial expression can set the situation even before you and your kilt "arrive", so to speak.

Smile, have a sense of humour, and be courteous. And look good in your kilt, chin up, shoulders back, confident and happy. Works a charm.

[pakiltedff]

I flew twice so far this year. Both times I had no problem getting through security in Harrisburg, PA, Detroit, MI, Naples FL, Milwaukee, WI and Appleton WI. I was asked by the TSA people twice if I would not mind participating in training "new" agents in dealing with kilts. The one guy asked me where he could get a kilt like mine