Kilted at the security checkpoint

[RockyR]

I had to go tot he courthouse today (to get our marraige liscense) and they had a metal detector. I tried walking through sideways (left hip first, right hip last) and it still set it off.

I asked the guy there and he said that he's not surprised it set it off... no biggie in this instance. At the AIRPORT, it was a pain.

[MacBean]

I had to go to the courthouse today (to get our marraige liscense).

Just a few more weeks Rocky! I finally got around to getting our license witnessed (we were so excited at the wedding we forgot), but haven't got around to taking it back to West Chester. I hope they don't mind if they're five years late!

[berserkbishop]

Please don't throw rocks at me, but I was the lead Quality Engineer on the re-design of the US airport security checkpoints after 9-11. So I know more about how the machines work than I ever wanted to. Having the buckles go through separately is what makes turning the kilt work. That said, it will not always work, because the sensitivity of the machines varies considerably, due to such things as rebar under the floor etc. I do NOT recommend twisting as you go through, that will alert the agents that you are trying to get something metal through, and they may decide to give you the full treatment. Myself, I wear a USAK casual with a sporran on sporran hangers and the belt not through the loops. I just undo the belt buckle, and drop belt, hangers sporran and all on the xray machine belt and walk through with the only metal on me my wedding ring and medic alert neck medallion. In the US at least, I advise against wearing a "Sgian Don't" or Sgian Brew" as fake weapons are also verboten, and the agent you deal with may feel the need to confiscate it. I have traveled kilted by air many times and have never had a real issue.

Geoff Withnell

Ah, how right you are! I am by no means a technical expert but since I go through a metal detector twice a day at work I can verify that in fact what you said is very much true. The sensitivity of the machines vary greatly and the amount of metal that you can wear through changes accordingly. For instance, my dog tags have never set off a metal detector, but my watch will randomly. I can make it through occasionally with my keys on me (only when i forget they are in my pocket) and I have a very hefty keyring. A lot of it seems to be how you step through the machines. One normal stride through usually gets me through with no alarm but if I hesitate while in the detector it almost always will go off.

I just opt not to wear a kilt, last time I got frisked and I didnt even set off the metal detector. . . Besides, why travel in the kilt when my dress blues get me so much better treatment in an airport. . .

Bishop

[NewGuise]

I was frisked when I went through (US) airport security a month ago, trousered, having not set off any alarms, in a supposedly random check ... 'supposedly,' given that it happens on a strangely regular basis. My partner was in a different line and got through more slowly (although as usual he did not get frisked), so while I was waiting I had the opportunity to ask two security officers what they would do if I were wearing a kilt. The younger got all wide-eyed and said, as if it were not already obvious, that he had not had the experience; the other, who had just frisked me, without changing his facial expression, said simply, "exactly what I just did. But very carefully." I responded, straight-faced, "Careful, you might encourage me." He kept his composure, but the younger lost it completely.

Disclaimer: such banter with security guards is not recommended, even after passing muster; results may vary.

[LANCER1562]

Shortly after 9/11 I had to go to the IRS office in San Francisco which is in the Federal Building. After removing everything metal (keys, coins, belt, etc.) I went through the metal detector and set it off. I stepped out of line and double checked to make sure that I hadn't missed anything and went back through and set it off again.

The U.S. Marshalls who were manning the check point took me over to the side and used the hand held detector which also registered something metal. I knew I had removed everything metal that I could; then I realized it was picking up something metal that I could not remove. The metal detectors were set so high that they were picking up the metal support rod inside of my left femur.

[BoldHighlander]

The U.S. Marshalls who were manning the check point took me over to the side and used the hand held detector which also registered something metal. I knew I had removed everything metal that I could; then I realized it was picking up something metal that I could not remove. The metal detectors were set so high that they were picking up the metal support rod inside of my left femur.

Sounds like my sister who has a steel jack in her lower spine & niece who's had leg lengthening surgeries (w/ support rods etc in her leg as well). Both have to carry documentation from their doctors when they travel.

My mother, who's got a number of screws in her foot from many reconstructive foot surgeries has actually travelled with x-rays before!

[LANCER1562]

The funny thing is that my doctor had assured me that with combination of thick bone and muscle around the rod, which incidently is made out of titanium, metal detectors at places like courthouses, airports, federal buildings, etc. would not register it.

[skauwt]

i dont think id mind the checks ..... to turn my kilt sideways in some ways is like asking me to stick my jeans on inside-out before i go to the scanner .... something id never do

[MacBob]

My glasses have set the airport metal detector off. When travelling kilted I try to avoid wearing a jersey or jacket so the security person can see the buckles. It is easier to travel kilted as you are unlikely to leave anything in your pocket!

[SkyeKilt]

I agree with the sensitivity of the machines rather than the twist of the kilt.

My experience lead me to believe the machines were adjustable. I have passed thru scanners in a windbreaker with a metal zipper only to have it cause an alert on the return trip. Of course, that was a different airport and city where I could understand a more sensitive setting for the scanners.

Now with my new titanium hip, I set off all the machines but the security guards seem to expect hips and knees in my age bracket. Clearly the really good guards can confirm the hip status with the wand and the way it responds.

The best bet is to remove all metal and place those items on the x-ray belt.

Happy Travels -

carl -