It Pays to Wear a Kilt When Flying

[Spartan]

This evening we flew back from Milwaukee to Phoenix. This was my first time flying kilted. I wore my tank as that helped to keep the weight of my baggage down below the dreaded 50 lb limit.

When we got on the plane we were greeted by the flight attendants who asked about my tartan. It turned out that both have Scottish ancestry. The first class attendant asked if I was drinking Scotch this evening, to which I replied, single malt. He then handed me two miniatures of Glenlivet 12 to take back with me to the coach class.

I guess it pays to wear the kilt.

[beloitpiper]

Haha, great story Frank! I've only wore a kilt on RyanAir, where they charge 5000% (yes, three zeros) more for a drink than the price of a ticket...of course, their tickets are only a penny...

[Mipi]

Another strong plus for kilts.

[JolyStNicholas]

Ya sly ol dog. Never thought of us'in the kilt that way. I don't drink but it sure sounds like a good way to make friends with those attendants.
Glad it worked out for ya!

[Dan R Porter]

The 'Kilted Mile High CLub." awsome! I hope it was not a long flight. I am sure 6 hours in a seat does some mess to ther pleats...

[Spartan]

The 'Kilted Mile High CLub." awsome! I hope it was not a long flight. I am sure 6 hours in a seat does some mess to ther pleats...

That does give a new meaning to the phrase "Mile High Club!" Actually, we were probably about 6-7 miles up, except going over the Rockies. The flight actually got in about a half-hour early, so it was only about 3 hr 15 min. Not a wrinkle in the pleats --that 16 oz wool is goooood.

Welcome home, hope you didn't fly in with that storm. Be a shame if you had to use the Glenlivet medicinally.

We got in about 6:25 pm, ahead of the storm. We skirted around the storm and saw it as we crossed the Mogollon Rim.

I haven't flown kilted, but I have flown with bagpipes. Security isn't as gleeful to see bagpipes in the xray (at first) as you described them being toward wearing a kilt.

I had a set of smallpipes in my carry on bag. Their presence didn't seem to phase the TSA. They did, however, want to look at my clan crest kilt pin that I had placed in my sporran when it went through the x-ray. They were giving me special attention anyway because of the boot on my foot (http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...x.html?t=47504) and the buckles on the kilt. No problem at all. They were polite, and I wasn't in a hurry.

I've flown several times kilted in the past two years. Never been offered a drink from First Class. Which airline should I be using?

Brian

It happened to be our local, hometown carrier, US Airways. It's probably more important who the flight attendant is. In this case he made for a happy camper. And, I was flying with a frequent flier ticket at that. It seems that most time you can't get frequent flier flights that work with your schedule, but this time it did. Bravo for US Airways!

BTW, the flight attendant also asked about my clan. I told him MacRae (I'm also Clan MacRae Society of North America). He told me his. When I left the plane I asked where was his kilt. He said he couldn't wear it on the job.

On topic: Too bad you weren't upgraded to first class - that's the way you were travelling anyway. At least you got some of their booze!

First Class was full. They would have needed two seats for both my wife and myself. Nice thought.

It never occurred to me that flying Kilted might make the x-ray of the pipe bag less alarming! Used to fly from Arcata, Ca. to Phoenix via San Francisco. Never checked the pipes always took them as carryon and always caused some consternation.
Considering the confined space of an airline cabin, what diabolical weapon could the mind of man conceive more devastating than a stand of Pipes

Was the size of the pipe case ever a concern?

[Brother Falldown]

I was never hassled about the size of the Pipe case. It wasn't a large one as when flying I always break the stand down. However, they never failed to have me open it so they could paw through it. Considering the times we live in I suppose I am grateful for their diligence.

[Sionnach]

Welcome home, hope you didn't fly in with that storm. Be a shame if you had to use the Glenlivet medicinally.

[Jack Daw]

Good story. I'll have to consider flying kilted on my trip to Estes Park, CO, next September.

[george7]

I haven't flown kilted, but I have flown with bagpipes. Security isn't as gleeful to see bagpipes in the xray (at first) as you described them being toward wearing a kilt.