Advice for Flying Needed

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

I would not wear a tank, for many of the reasons mentioned, especially a god-awful lot of fabric to arrange in a small plane seat. However, I have flown 5 or 6 times in the past year, and every time I was wearing a UK and it was bliss compared to wearing pants on the trip. Especially on a longer trip, I would not consider wearing pants. Of course, I won't consider wearing pants for anything now, so I might be biased!

[mkmound]

I have flown kilted numerous times. In preparation for the US security procedures, I always remove belt, sporran, shoes, flashes (the garter clip sets off the metal detectors), and watch. It is handy to put the watch in the sporran and send it through the XRAY. Also, no pocket full of change to dump out. Bit of a hassle, but I just allow time for it.

The buckles on one kilt always set off the metal detector, and I get the wand treatment. The last few times (with that kilt) out of Dallas / Ft. Worth airport, I've gotten the full pat-down treatment also. I do have a couple of SWKs, but I haven't worn them traveling, so I don't know if the buckles have the type of metal which would set off the metal detectors or not.

Since the buckles set off the metal detectors, I recently had Rocky and Kelly make me up a semi-trad with velcro instead of buckles . . . this is now my traveling kilt. Once the belt, sporran, etc., are removed, I'm good to go. Works like a charm!!! Thanks, Rocky and Kelly!!

The second item, as mentioned, is smoothing out the pleats. This is sometimes a challenge. Sometimes, after the sweep, I find it necessary to try to discretely reach under my thighs and pull the pleats straight.

The last item for me is the air temperature in the plane . . . not usually a problem on US domestic flights, but when I went to Europe in May and June (10+ hour flights), I traveled in loose warmup trousers and a sweatshirt / fleece pullover. I still ended up using a blanket.

Hope this helps,
Mark

[bikercelt1]

I've flown several times kilted. I wouldn't have it any other way, but I wouldn't wear one of my tanks (only because I don't want to have to press them after a prolonged flight). I do get wanded and searched all the time, but that used to happen when I wore pants too. The next time I fly I plan on wearing a kilt with velcro instead of buckles, I put all my metal in my sporran and send it through the scanner, and I have a black nylon duty belt with a plastic buckle. The only metal I have is my glasses and the fillings in my teeth. I'll bet money that I still set off the detectors and have to be wanded! 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.

Jamie

[HeathBar]

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.

[arrogcow]

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.

Airlines, no big deal.

Airports vary. I have set of metal detectors in a UK original in Cincinnati, been wanded (and lightly patted down). On the other hand, didn't set off a thing in Newark while wearing a UK Workman's and was let straight through (wasn't ever selected for a "Random" search).

Adam

[Hamish]

as far as the time seated, it is actually better kilted. I drove from Oklahoma to Cape Cod ( 1600 miles, about 32 hours ) and it was far more comfortable than any pants or shorts I can think of..

just make sure you sweep the pleats when you go to sit for a long time, or it will be really uncomfortable.

KT, the problem with that is that there is absolutely no room to sweep when trying to sit in an aircraft passenger seat! I would never again fly in a traditional kilt (Aberdeen to London was my first and last time). Nowadays, I wear a Utilikilt or a 'kilt without pleats' :-

Dispense with all unnecessary accessories - pins, flashes, sporrans, etc. Oh, and slip-on shoes are a good idea - so much easier to deal with at security.

[bubba]

A neighbor of mine who flies often got fed up with the shoe hassle and just wears bedroom slippers. Last time he decided to be a total smartass and wore a pair of horrendous pink bunny slippers. The screeners were so busy laughing they neglected to check much.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

...Nowadays, I wear a Utilikilt or a 'kilt without pleats' :-

Ham, is there a maker for one of those or did you commission something special? I can see where that would be very comfortable, not just for flying, but als long car trips. And also for hiking because of the lessened weight.

[Southern Breeze]

Ham, is there a maker for one of those or did you commission something special? I can see where that would be very comfortable, not just for flying, but als long car trips. And also for hiking because of the lessened weight.

Remember this?
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=18984

[TechBear]

Remember this?
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=18984

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?