Airport Security

[longshadows]

Just wondering about guys experiences with kilts and passing through airport security--metal detectors in particular. Whether it be traditional kilt buckles or Utilikilt metal snaps, they are bound to set off the detectors. We can take off our belts, but I'm afraid that if I whipped off my Utilikilt in order to pass through the metal detector, that would be a different form of "terrorism"

[Wompet]

In January I went TDY from Buffalo to Atlanta for a week, and I wore my Survival UK for both flights with no problems. Went through the line, took off my pockets, put them through the x-ray, walked through the metal detector without a ping, put my pockets back on, and went to wait for my plane.

[JackK]

On a trip to Las Vegas a year ago I wore my black denim UK, I had no trouble when leaving my home town - while taking off my shoes security did say I might want to take off my belt, but I told them they didn;t want to see that.
The Vegas airport was a different matter, I set off the detectors so had to be wanded. Being in a hurry I missed a penny in on e pocket, had questions asked about the blood pressure med's in a plastic container in another pocket, took my socks off to prove my toe rings weren't dangerous. Then when everything was done, I was asked if I was scottish. After the no answer, I was asked why I would wear 'something like that'. Now being midnight I'm getting a bit testy so I answered his question with 'is that part of your job to ask why people are wearing a specific garment'. He didn't react to much, but to 2 other TSA folks with in ear shod where laughing to beat h...
With all that I suggest whole heartly WEAR you kilt.

Jack

[Eujeankilt]

Check out this thread -

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...hlight=airport

Dale

[arrogcow]

Alot of it depends on the airport. I've walked throught the metal detectors at the Cincinnati airport wearing a UK original and no belt and set of detectors, but I've walked through Newark airport in a workman's and nothing.

Adam

[Riverkilt]

Fly Kilted! Enjoy the comfort. And enjoy the puzzled reactions of TSA folks...though some are way ahead of us on kilts and are nonpulsed. You just never know what you're gonna get.

Best flying kilt for me is a UK Survival II. Just put the stuff you need on board in the cargo pockets, unsnap them, and send them through the Xray rig. Snaps, belt, may or may not set off the detector. Wanding is no big deal.

Once I forgot I had back up batteries for my camera in my regular front pocket of the survival II. Those pockets are deep and the batteries wound up behind the lower snap. So when I got wanded the TSA guy figured it was the snap. Kinda freaked me later when I found the batteries...coulda been something else about the size of AA batteries....but it weren't.

I like to leave the pockets off once on board. Can just put them in the pouch in front of me. That way they don't hang up on the narrow, "you're a sardine now" airline seats.

When its time to deplane, I just snap them back on.

And yes, I fly regimental.

Ron

[Canuck]

I just got back from Hawaii, and in the course of the trip went through about 6 check points. I wore my new black leather R kilt. Lots of metal!! buckles rivets and snaps, d rings and dog clips. A couple of times I didn't set off the alarm. On the times I did, they asked for a male assist. Took a few minutes to wand me down, then they had to pat down the kilt to check out the metal bits. Had a new kid in Kauai, He was very nervous, and a little rude. He had a female supervisor who actually took him to task on his manners. I guided him through the process, as I was getting used to the process and knew what to expect, and never once did they wand inside the kilt!
Once on the plane the stewardesses loved the leather and grabbed a feel.
It's an OK experience, go for it.

[Randy]

Not an airport but security checkpoint for Washington Monument in DC i was pretty much stripped. had to remove belt/buckle, sporran(metal ring), keys, cell phone, knife. The guards must not get out much, the kilt confused them. The stage whispered commentary gave me free rein to retort on their heritage and upbringing. God bless em, they figured out video cuts both ways. On the plus side the supervisor exchanged my terrorist material for badge and we traded back at end with no "lost" items.

[Zyzzyx]

About a month ago I flew from Santa Barbara, CA to Richland, WA; via Seattle. Wore my UK Survival both ways. No problems going north. Got 'selected' on the way back from Richland though. No real problems being searched, other than the rows of snaps.

I did figure that next time I fly it'll be in a Mocker. When I fly I take a Camelbk with me. Holds extra goodies, fairly secure in its internal pockets, plus I have water with me when I want it. With that, the cargo pockets on the Survival aren't necessary. And since I was taking them off when seated (for the extra room), might as well not take them. Wear the Mocker with six snaps instead of twenty on the Survival.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Fly Kilted! Enjoy the comfort. And enjoy the puzzled reactions of TSA folks...

Ron, I have to agree. I first flew kilted at Xmas time on a trip back from Orlando to Chicago. I was wearing a UK Original (courtesy of flyv65) with the non-detachable pockets. Went through the arch and set off the alarm. Backed up and the lady asked if I could take the belt off. Uh-oh, that kilt is slightly loose in the waist (but one of my favorites and most comfortable). I said Yes (while mentally crossing my fingers, and went back through the gate. Kilt stayed up (thank god, it was the day after Xmas, so a huge travel day). Alarm went off again, so I got wanded. Felt a few stares while I went through the process, but did not take long and I was on my way. Took me longer to put my belt and shoes back on.

I guess they either had the sensors turned up, or the UK had just enough metal snaps to trigger the alarm.