Advice for Flying Needed

[CapnJ0]

I'll second everyone, having driven across the country kilted (and then flying back). The long time seated isn't a problem, but airport security can be. It was mostly just getting pinged on the buckles, I think. My pin was a grouse leg, so I don't think that was a problem, but you might want to remove the kilt pin before you hit security. Like it would be in any attire, it helps to be prepared to go through the checkpoint. Once through, however, be ready for a comfy flight! Just sweep the pleats properly and there won't be a problem.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

I would not wear a tank, for many of the reasons mentioned, especially a god-awful lot of fabric to arrange in a small plane seat. However, I have flown 5 or 6 times in the past year, and every time I was wearing a UK and it was bliss compared to wearing pants on the trip. Especially on a longer trip, I would not consider wearing pants. Of course, I won't consider wearing pants for anything now, so I might be biased!

[mkmound]

I have flown kilted numerous times. In preparation for the US security procedures, I always remove belt, sporran, shoes, flashes (the garter clip sets off the metal detectors), and watch. It is handy to put the watch in the sporran and send it through the XRAY. Also, no pocket full of change to dump out. Bit of a hassle, but I just allow time for it.

The buckles on one kilt always set off the metal detector, and I get the wand treatment. The last few times (with that kilt) out of Dallas / Ft. Worth airport, I've gotten the full pat-down treatment also. I do have a couple of SWKs, but I haven't worn them traveling, so I don't know if the buckles have the type of metal which would set off the metal detectors or not.

Since the buckles set off the metal detectors, I recently had Rocky and Kelly make me up a semi-trad with velcro instead of buckles . . . this is now my traveling kilt. Once the belt, sporran, etc., are removed, I'm good to go. Works like a charm!!! Thanks, Rocky and Kelly!!

The second item, as mentioned, is smoothing out the pleats. This is sometimes a challenge. Sometimes, after the sweep, I find it necessary to try to discretely reach under my thighs and pull the pleats straight.

The last item for me is the air temperature in the plane . . . not usually a problem on US domestic flights, but when I went to Europe in May and June (10+ hour flights), I traveled in loose warmup trousers and a sweatshirt / fleece pullover. I still ended up using a blanket.

Hope this helps,
Mark

[bikercelt1]

I've flown several times kilted. I wouldn't have it any other way, but I wouldn't wear one of my tanks (only because I don't want to have to press them after a prolonged flight). I do get wanded and searched all the time, but that used to happen when I wore pants too. The next time I fly I plan on wearing a kilt with velcro instead of buckles, I put all my metal in my sporran and send it through the scanner, and I have a black nylon duty belt with a plastic buckle. The only metal I have is my glasses and the fillings in my teeth. I'll bet money that I still set off the detectors and have to be wanded! Most the time there's some security-joker that's trying to manuever a particular agent into searching me. Always good to bring a little levity into the life of the TSA. You don't think that might be why I set off metal detectors do you? :rolleyes: Nah, that wouldn't happen.

Jamie

[HeathBar]

For those of you who have kilted air travel experience in the US, were there airports and/or airlines that seemed more kilt friendly? I might be flying to Richmond in October for the highland games, via JFK. JetBlue is opening a flight from Nashville to JFK. I can fly this way cheaper than I can straight to Richmond or Norfolk.

[arrogcow]

For those of you who have kilted air travel experience in the US, were there airports and/or airlines that seemed more kilt friendly? I might be flying to Richmond in October for the highland games, via JFK. JetBlue is opening a flight from Nashville to JFK. I can fly this way cheaper than I can straight to Richmond or Norfolk.

Airlines, no big deal.

Airports vary. I have set of metal detectors in a UK original in Cincinnati, been wanded (and lightly patted down). On the other hand, didn't set off a thing in Newark while wearing a UK Workman's and was let straight through (wasn't ever selected for a "Random" search).

Adam

[IEScotsman]

For those of you who have kilted air travel experience in the US, were there airports and/or airlines that seemed more kilt friendly? I might be flying to Richmond in October for the highland games, via JFK. JetBlue is opening a flight from Nashville to JFK. I can fly this way cheaper than I can straight to Richmond or Norfolk.

Oddly enough, my wife and I encountered a big difference while traveling from Los Angeles to Buffalo, NY. We figured if we had any problems, it would be in LA (huge airport, millions of people, more security). NOPE! When we went to Buffalo to head back to Los Angeles, they stopped her for lip gloss. It contained 1oz. of lip gloss and was CLEARED when we took off from LA. They were MUCH more worried about it. Maybe it's because they are close to the Canadian border and Canada doesn't have much in terms of security.

[davedove]

Most the time there's some security-joker that's trying to manuever a particular agent into searching me. Always good to bring a little levity into the life of the TSA. You don't think that might be why I set off metal detectors do you? :rolleyes: Nah, that wouldn't happen.

I think that's what happened on my last cruise. I just know the one agent was just trying to see if he could get the other agent to do a pat down on me. He did, but it was a quick one.

Whatever I'm wearing when I go through airport security, I do my best to remove ALL metal and put it in my carryon. It's just easier that way.

I am very intrigued about the idea of a travel kilt.