Kilted at the security checkpoint

[O'Callaghan]

Whether effective or not, if you'd lost someone on a hijacked plane I dare say your opinions would differ. The security measures in place, while inconvenient and (usually) poorly thought out, are only to ensure that we can fly safely without fear of terrorist activity.

Why would you take it upon youself to antagonise those who are only doing their job in trying to keep is safe?


That's hardly an attitude that is actually of any benefit.......do you teach your children this same disdain for the public service and people in authority?

American TSA screeners usually do a pretty goo job of antagonising travellers first. It is very noticeable that security staff at European airports are not a fraction of the PITA that the American ones are.

[Howard Clark]

I went to London last month, stayed two weeks, and flew home. I wore my eight yard knife pleated kilt and tweed jacket both ways, and have never had a better travel experience with airlines or security personnel, ever, in many years of flying. I did set off the metal detector at Heathrow, and was patted down by a security man who was well trained and courteous, and had obviously dealt with a kilt before. It was very little inconvenience, and professional in every way.

I do not believe that I will ever fly wearing trousers again.

I very much enjoyed my visit to London, and apologize to those who wanted to meet up. I forgot to get my mobile phone activated so that it would function in the UK, and also forgot to write down my password to get into XMTS, so I was without communication.

Went into downtown London for a day (and evening) of museums, pubs and friends, and was very pleased that no one seemed to take any particular notice of the kilt, except to say that they liked it, occasionally. I did not see anyone else wearing the kilt in London the days I was in town. I did get some odd looks in Welling (where I was mainly), but less so than here at home.

[LANCER1562]

I have a friend who used to be a TSA screener at SFO. Every time the terror alert went to "ORANGE", his blood pressure went into the "RED" because instead of working an 8 hour shift, he now had to work 12 to 14 hours and if this happened on a heavy travel day it was even worse with everyone pushing to get through the checkpoint to get to their flight. He was actually punched in the face by a passenger because my friend singled him out for additional screening. He quit after 2 years for medical reasons.

TSA screeners have a very difficult job and in case you haven't heard they are now responsible for checking the "No Fly" lists for domestic flights and by this time next year will also be responsible for checking the "No Fly"list on international flights as well. Think about that the next time you find yourself among the Thousands Standing Around and some terrorist has blown up a vehicle in a crowded place like Times Square and is now on the same plane you're on. Comforting thought, isn't it?

[Lyle1]

Whether effective or not, if you'd lost someone on a hijacked plane I dare say your opinions would differ. The security measures in place, while inconvenient and (usually) poorly thought out, are only to ensure that we can fly safely without fear of terrorist activity.

Why would you take it upon youself to antagonise those who are only doing their job in trying to keep is safe?


That's hardly an attitude that is actually of any benefit.......do you teach your children this same disdain for the public service and people in authority?

American TSA agents do not typically perform in a manner that makes me feel confident in their ability to make my trip more safe. TSA does hire some very qualified individuals, many of them veterans of the armed services. However, once TSA does the background check and clears the individual for federal employment, the new employees find better paying jobs with other federal agencies. I know; before I retired, I hired an newly discharged Sargent who had been with TSA less than a month. I think that, in many ways, she was the best person I ever hired.

[Fit2BKilted]

After the last winter's Underwear Bomber incident, I'm a little surprised they didn't ban underwear on flights- something that would make commando kiltwearers happy, surely.

Why not just insist that all fliers ride nude? No possible ground for a claim of 'discrimination' for 'strip searches', and environmentally friendly (since fewer people might fly if they had to consider 'How badly do you want to get there?'). Of course naturist travel agencies would absorb the market, surely ;-) On the other hand, the airplane-blankets would have to be heavier-than-tartan, and the seats would have to be enlarged, individual, and fitted with fresh-towel-seat-covers to be changed for each passenger... Not good for business, perhaps. :-(

[ohiopiper]

Having traveled both inConUs and internationally quite often, the only times I have ever needed to challenge screeners have been at U.S. airports when they "alter" the regulations to fit their convenience. Cleveland Hopkins is famous for this.

My problem with our screening system is that rather than being modeled after, or even taking suggestions from, a successful system we saw fit to design a rather inconvenient and inneffective system all our own.

I have also often had a rather inobtrusive experience and said and done nothing because the screener was following the rules. The good employees are just doing a needed job, I agree. The wife and I just went to and from Phoenix, Az. and had as pleasant an experience as can be expected. Courtesy and professionalism as Pittsburgh Interntional and Sky Harbor.

Sorry to hijack the thread, I'll be quiet now.

[BEEDEE]

Ladies and Gentlemen of Xmarks:

This thread is veering way off topic into a 'bash the TSA' mode. Please remember our guiding principle:

“We assume and expect our members to act as responsible adults”. Adults don't need to be forced to follow rules. They have developed a sense of right and wrong. They know when a subject is appropriate or not. We expect our members to take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences for those actions.

Remember, the TSA people have an unenviable task trying to keep our flights safe. You may not like the inconvenience or attitude, but if you are on the plane that has a passenger that slipped though their net, you may not live to like the consequences.

Please bear Rule #4 in mind: - Intolerance for our fellow human beings, of any kind, is inexcusable behavior in today’s world.

Brian and the Forum Moderators.

[dutchy kilted]

I am going to be traveling overseas in a few months and plan on traveling kilted for comfort. From reviewing the posts, it looks like the best method for getting through security it to wear a USAK casual or something similar without buckles, and drop the sporran and belt on the xray conveyor. Does this sound about right? Thanks for all the advice.

Now I just have to think what shoes come off easy for security but stiill look good with a kilt. I don't think my usual Doc Martens would work well.

[Howard Clark]

Well certainly the sporran and belt should go in the tray with all your other stuff. I had a "tank" with two brass buckles, and did set off the detector at Heathrow, but it was not a problem. A kilt with no metal buckles would be good for travel, I reckon. I am just rather attached to my wool kilts, and they all have buckles.

I will fly kilted again, to be sure, wherever I am flying to.