I'm back

[bikercelt1]

Hi Guys and Gals. I've been gone about 10 days on a vacation trip. Holy cow, do I have a lot of catching up to do! I thought I'd give you a quick overview before I do though.

My family and I flew from Portland OR to Denver (I wish I could have arranged a meet with you Glen, but there just wasn't time). Yes, you can expect to get searched. The only metal I had on me was the buckles on my USA Traditional kilt. The security personnel had me doing gymnastics while they waved their wands about including up under the kilt and nearly doing a full on "kilt check". One security puke even gave me a sound rap in the "dangly bits" with his wand which made me loose my composure a bit. before I fly again I'm definitly getting a velcro closing kilt.

We drove from Denver to Telluride where we met up with relatives for a family reunion. I did have to wear a bifurcated outfit one day when we went rafting, it seems no one makes a wetsuit kiltand and the water was much too cold to go without neoprene clothing.

Well my lunch break is over so I'll have to tell you the rest of my stories later. I finally have some digital pics to post too, as soon as my daughter can help me figure out how to load them.

Jamie

[bubba]

Welcome back. I've heard stories about "security" at airports. It sounds more like they hire sadists and perverts for those jobs. If I can't drive, I ain't going. What piled up while you were gone should keep you busy reading full time for the next week

[philbo]

Welcome back. Good thing you didn't pack any bagpipes, or they'd probably rip them apart during their inspections.

[elijah]

[i] it seems no one makes a wetsuit kiltand and the water was much too cold to go without neoprene clothing.

Hmm, a new line for King Kilts perhaps. ;)

[Rufus]

I think that the guys in the Portland airport security like to feel up other guys. I had the same experience there two years ago, and I was wearing normal jeans. Definite cuppage, if you catch my drift. They also made me take off my shoes and socks, while they closely examined them. I agree with Bubba, they must be sadistic perverts (Marquis de Sade?)

Glad that you had a good trip, and welcome back. Also, good luck catching up. Glen, Graham, and Bubba probably added 500 posts between the three of them.

[GMan]

Jamie,

Welcome back, I totally understand about not being able to meet up, perhaps some other time.

While you were in Telluride, did you happen to get up to Bridal Viel Falls? I really feel that would make an awesome backdrop for a kilted picture.

Glad that you had a good and safe trip.

[Mr. Kilt]

Sounds like an interesting experience at the airport, Jamie. I guess Canadian airport security staff are a little more gentle. I didn't have any trouble at all when I flew to Victoria at Easter. No issues wearing my kilt through the process, either. I just made sure I left my kilt pin at home.

Looking forward to the rest of your trip report and pics!

[Graham]

Hi Jamie, sorry you have so much catching up to do.

I travelled by air from LA to San Antonio, I wasn't too impressed with the way I was treated either, nothing really bad, just very heavy attitudes and lack of respect for travellers.

In the UK the same level of airport security existed, but the politeness of airport staff was so much better.

[RockyR]

Hey Jamie!

Glad you had a good time on your trip! Kelly and I wondered how you made out!

I haven't flown anywhere for a while but did have a good experience at the courthouse (Jury Duty). I went in wearing a kilt and one of my big belt buckles with a pair of steel toes. (I decided that wearing my "Pick ME!" shirt would have been a bit too much) Security thought it was cool and just gave me a quick "wand over" and waved me through. Could have been b/c I was there for Jury Duty (they're nicer to Jury Duty people b/c we're giving up OUR time for a civic duty), but they were very cool with me.

[Doc Hudson]

Graham,

You will have to bear in mind that American Airport Security personel are generally recruited from society's dregs. As a guess I'd say at least half were recruited directly from the welfare rolls. They are rude, arrogant, surly, and stupid. They manage to ruin the flying experience.

I love to fly but I HATE AIRPORT SECURITY WITH A PASSION!!!

I have a steel plate in my shoulder and walk with a cane. I'm forced to send my cane through the blasted X-ray conveyor, remove my belt, and still get get wanded and questioned when my plate sets off the alarm. My wife goes ahead, collects our gear and acts like she doesn't know the irate old fart grumbling at the gate. I keep threatening to just strip naked and be dune with it.

BTW, Security at Leonardo di Vinci Airport in Rome was even tighter than in the states, Soldiers with submachineguns all over the place, but the Security Personel were more polite and acted like they had some intelligence.

I had great hopes for an improvement when airport security was Federalized. However, they just hired the same set of idiots and now pay them more money.