Flying Kilted

[James MacMillan]

I have flown several times kilted since 9/11 (today!) and only worry about the sgian dubh.... everything else is just window dressing!

I don't make any special allowances - other than the sgian dubh!

[arrogcow]

Setting off detectors also depends on the airport. In a UK, I always set off the alarms in Cincinnati, but have never set it off in NY, Norfolk or Avoca.

Adam

[cessna152towser]

We were discussing this over lunch at Court today and the Magistrate said he was stopped at airport security and given the option of either binning the kilt pin he was wearing or going back into the check-in area and buying an envelope and stamp and posting it home.
Needless to say he chose to post it home.
The other alternative of course would be to check in the kilt pin as luggage before proceeding through security but some airlines will charge extra for carrying a kilt oin as hold luggage and returning it to you at destination.

[demobud]

We were discussing this over lunch at Court today and the Magistrate said he was stopped at airport security and given the option of either binning the kilt pin he was wearing or going back into the check-in area and buying an envelope and stamp and posting it home.
Needless to say he chose to post it home.
The other alternative of course would be to check in the kilt pin as luggage before proceeding through security but some airlines will charge extra for carrying a kilt oin as hold luggage and returning it to you at destination.

This would make a case for kilt pins with those super strong magnets I have seen around, as long as the shape of the pin itself didn't make waves.

[James MacMillan]

I can see the headlines now

- Mad Scot Kills Crew With Kilt Pin -

[Retro Red]

I can see the headlines now

- Mad Scot Kills Crew With Kilt Pin -

[Kid Cossack]

I can see the headlines now

- Mad Scot Kills Crew With Kilt Pin -

As long as it's not "MAD SCOT ANSWERS 'THE QUESTION': CREW DIES LAUGHING"

[Hamish]

Over the past 8 or 9 years I have flown many times, both internationally and internally in the USA, and I have always been kilted. It is almost impossible, and unnecessary, to rid yourself of all metal fitments, but it is best to be aware of where and what they are.

Buckles and snaps are perhaps the most difficult to dispense with, without going to extraordinary lengths so, prior to stepping through the security archway, I indicate them to the official standing nearby - no problems. Yes, sometimes the snaps will set the bells a'ringin', but a quick wanding never hurt anyone (and can be quite fun when kilted!)

For comfort as much as anything, I invariably fly in a Utilikilt. Several yards of pleated tartan are almost impossible to 'sweep' in aircraft seats and are not the most comfortable to sit on hour after hour. If the Utilikilt is creased on arrival, a quick once-over with the iron soon puts matters right.

All unnecessary metal (kilt pin, sgian dubh, etc) gets packed in my suitcase and travels as checked-in luggage.

Footwear: I always wear slip-on shoes, or maybe sandals with velcro fastenings, when flying. One is not always requested to remove footwear, but when one is, it is so much easier to deal with if there are no buckles, laces, etc.

Finally, to make things easier for myself at security, I take a small transparent plastic bag and put all my coins, watch, etc. into that just before going through. Much more convenient, and quicker, than trying to scoop loose change from those little plastic trays they provide.

I hope my experiences will be of interest, and help.

[Troy]

Hi folks!

Since I'm flying to Atlanta (hopefully) this November, I've been thinking a lot about the logisitics of navigating thru customs, etc.

And the thought occurred to me: " if one wanted to fly kilted (and why not?!), would there be a suitable alternative to the metal buckles found one the straps of a traditional kilt, so as to avoid setting off the metal detectors?"

I say "traditional", because I don't like the utilikilt style myself (just a personal preference, that's all).

any thoughts, people?

cheers

Hachiman

I'm in the process of making a 4-yard box pleat in Black Watch PV, and instead of straps and buckles I'm using Velcro for the under-apron fastening and 1" nylon webbing in conjunction with a side-release clip for the over-apron. Hey Presto! Traditional looking kilt (the belt covers the fastener) with the advantage of hand washability and no metal! (I seem to recall someone else on the Forum [Dreadbelly?] doing something similar.)

There's nothing stopping you making a 16oz wool kilt the same way, of course, but I wouldn't go so far as to retrofit a current kilt simply to save a minute or too clearing security.

Regards,

Troy

I wo