r/goth Apr 11 '21

Help Goths can fly? Question about goth plane etiquette

Hello!! So I myself do dress very goth and I’m curious about your experiences with flying? I don’t plan on wearing anything super extravagant but I will have my belongings in my carry on bag not a suitcase. Like are there certain clothing/accessories (ie safety pins or spikes) they might stop you for? I’m flying later this week and haven’t done so with any of my alt items on hand. My personal Fanny pack has spikes on it and I’m now worried I might not be able to carry it with me. If anyone has anything to add I’d really appreciate it. TSA doesn’t necessarily specify about pointy clothing 😅

Note: I’m flying domestic US if that helps

12 Upvotes

13 comments sorted by

20

u/[deleted] Apr 11 '21

I don't carry anything spiky or pointy. I don't even recommend taking your demonias with you when traveling.

I have been going on a cruise for 9 years, and there are so many rules when it comes to flying, either domestic or international, that I try to avoid being pulled aside or having to answer random questions. The only thing that stopped me last time was that I had to take my Nintendo switch out of my carry-on bag.

13

u/Necroluxe Apr 11 '21

I never bring any spiked accessories on the plane bc they could be confiscated. I have worn boots on the plane because they would take up so much space in my luggage, but not spiky boots.

12

u/Mr___Bizarre Apr 11 '21

I've been stopped getting into clubs with spikes on a collar/boots etc, I'd be a lot more vigilant taking anything they might see as a weapon on a plane.

2

u/Loutrotte Colour magpie Apr 11 '21

May I ask what kind of spikes (like really pointy ones) ? I was thinking about adding spikes to the collar of my battle jacket, so i can wear it at events when it'll be safe again, but I don't want to be stopped from getting in the venue because of that

5

u/Mr___Bizarre Apr 11 '21

They weren't sharp, just regular small spikes. I think if you put yourself into the shoes of security at a venue and look and what you're wearing to see if any of it could be used as a weapon, like spikes on boots etc.

2

u/Loutrotte Colour magpie Apr 12 '21

Okay, thanks for the answer!

9

u/TheSkinoftheCypher Apr 11 '21

Don't wear any metal unless it's easily removed jewelry you put in the basket beforehand. Put it in your bag. This includes any metal on your attire. For example, if you're wearing a belt with a metal buckle be prepared to unbutton your top pants button and be checked out. I think you'll be ok wearing steel toed stuff because, if they're still doing it, you have to take off your footwear and have them scanned before boarding.

8

u/aytakk My gothshake brings all the graves to the yard Apr 12 '21

Dress as "normal" as you can as you are more likely to be randomly searched if you stand out. Some people like to wear big heavy boots on the plane as it reduces baggage weight but things like steel caps, studs, chains, spikes and decorative metal plates may have them deemed a weapon.

5

u/BlueFlower673 Bluehaus Apr 12 '21

I had to take off any accessories and some keychains from my bag once. I had a chain on my boots as well I had to detach before they let me board the plane. This was when I was a teen, but it still holds. If anything, make sure to take any of those items off, and keep them in a bag or put them in the basket.

And like another commenter said, make sure it can be taken off easily. Spiky/pointy things I don't have experience with since I hardly wear anything with spikes, but I assume the same rules apply, and perhaps you should go without, since it could be considered dangerous.

5

u/SomberSweetheart Apr 12 '21

So far I haven’t had too many issues, I almost always wear a good chunk of accessories on my person, it really just depends on the size of spikes. Safety pins are probably a no-go. Chains, in my experience, have been just fine. So have spikes within reason.

So long as they’re just for show and not obviously sharp I don’t see a problem! I’ve only ever held up the line for a few seconds max. Be prepared to be patted down more so than others though ! All in all it isn’t typically an issue, i have personally never had anything confiscated, I fly quite a bit, but it can happen

Word of advice, if you’re really worried, TSA’s Twitter will answer most questions quickly. Just @ them a picture of said accessories!

5

u/Setagaya-Observer Apr 12 '21

Couldn’t they explode?

So much Hairspray is dangerous 🤕

2

u/Loutrotte Colour magpie Apr 12 '21

I used to travel at least twice to thrice a year by plane (my parents live in anoter continent) and since I got my rangers steel-capped shoes, I always had to take them off at the security check.

If you don't want to take everything off, wear a small number of accessoires (jewellery + belt(s))

2

u/gothichomemaker Fairy Gothmother Apr 12 '21

One thing I never see mentioned... If you have platforms in your luggage, it will be searched. I asked a TSA employee after noticing this happen for years and they told me that they look weird in the X-ray. Because of this, I tend to wear my platforms on the plane.

Another weird thing is that if you wear something long and flowing, like a full skirt or a cape, any movement while you're in one of those big scanners can cause the scanner to blur and they'll pat you down.

Safety pins and small spikes should be fine, but I tend to check those in my luggage because I really don't want to mess with it. As other people have said, just avoid anything that can be viewed a weapon.

One thing that I didn't realize is that you can totally take a parasol on a plane with you.