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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Airport Security

18 replies

Aquarius1234 · 08/09/2025 19:02

I understand hats have to be removed.
But what about headscarves and bandana s?.

Anyone seen people going through with some kind of bandana on their heads / hair this summer??.

For context I had a mole removed on my head a couple weeks back and have a large area with no hair plus healing scar.
Its making me anxious about going on a trip away.

OP posts:
SoftOctoberNight · 08/09/2025 19:09

I generally wear a bandana… have never been stopped or asked to remove it. Last flew four days ago. You will be fine x

Sundaymorningcalla · 08/09/2025 19:10

Unless it's for religious reasons, expect to be asked to remove it.

TickyandTacky · 08/09/2025 19:18

You can always request to show them in private.

PennySweeet · 08/09/2025 19:21

If you trigger an alarm, they'll need you to remove it but you can ask for it to be done in private.

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 08/09/2025 19:28

PennySweeet · 08/09/2025 19:21

If you trigger an alarm, they'll need you to remove it but you can ask for it to be done in private.

Oh right okay. Yeh its for privacy reasons I dont want to take it off.

OP posts:
Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 08/09/2025 19:29

Sundaymorningcalla · 08/09/2025 19:10

Unless it's for religious reasons, expect to be asked to remove it.

Hmmm ok. I guess ill be religious then.

OP posts:
Nopenott0day · 08/09/2025 19:29

I have alopecia and sometimes feel self conscious about taking my hat off in public. I wear a beanie hat all the time. They didn't make me take it off last time I flew. They asked and I said I didn't really feel ok with people around. So they just let me through. You can be pictured in your passport wearing a hat for medical reasons anyway!

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 08/09/2025 19:55

Nopenott0day · 08/09/2025 19:29

I have alopecia and sometimes feel self conscious about taking my hat off in public. I wear a beanie hat all the time. They didn't make me take it off last time I flew. They asked and I said I didn't really feel ok with people around. So they just let me through. You can be pictured in your passport wearing a hat for medical reasons anyway!

Ok thanks. I will say the same type of thing.

OP posts:
Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 08/09/2025 20:24

SoftOctoberNight · 08/09/2025 19:09

I generally wear a bandana… have never been stopped or asked to remove it. Last flew four days ago. You will be fine x

Any chance of a link as to what type of bandana you wear? Ive bought a few but thinking one more subtle works better..

OP posts:
ThatWildMintSloth · 08/09/2025 20:27

Unlikely you'll be asked. If they're concerned, they may just ask you to step inside the body scanner.

moderndilemma · 08/09/2025 20:50

I hate that I get asked to take things off when others do not. Recently I was with colleagues, I was wearing a vest top (that I'd never wear with colleagues without something over it). I was made to take my very light jacket off. Meanwhile men were walking thought with t-shirts and hoodies, work shirts and jackets. I think some security people are unfair.

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 08/09/2025 21:25

moderndilemma · 08/09/2025 20:50

I hate that I get asked to take things off when others do not. Recently I was with colleagues, I was wearing a vest top (that I'd never wear with colleagues without something over it). I was made to take my very light jacket off. Meanwhile men were walking thought with t-shirts and hoodies, work shirts and jackets. I think some security people are unfair.

Yeah ive noticed that before.!

OP posts:
ComtesseDeSpair · 08/09/2025 21:37

Where are you flying to and from? Airport security procedures do differ by country, and refusing to comply with airport staff goes down less well in some countries than others - particularly if there’s a language barrier and you’re not able to explain properly. It was hats off when I came through at London Gatwick, Warsaw and Sofia recently, didn’t see any bandanas or scarves to be able to say whether they’d receive the same treatment, but the agents at the latter two airports were pretty brusque and non-nonsense, so unfortunately you may have to be prepared to take it off, even if only in a side room.

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 08/09/2025 21:54

ComtesseDeSpair · 08/09/2025 21:37

Where are you flying to and from? Airport security procedures do differ by country, and refusing to comply with airport staff goes down less well in some countries than others - particularly if there’s a language barrier and you’re not able to explain properly. It was hats off when I came through at London Gatwick, Warsaw and Sofia recently, didn’t see any bandanas or scarves to be able to say whether they’d receive the same treatment, but the agents at the latter two airports were pretty brusque and non-nonsense, so unfortunately you may have to be prepared to take it off, even if only in a side room.

Gatwick and yes Ive been told to take a baseball hat off even entering a concert or sport event in the past.
I thought maybe a square piece of cotton might be OK.. .
No metal and its flat.
There are always people behind you so I just wouldn't be comfortable taking it off.
If I said I was Muslim. Would I need to prove it ? Just curious.

OP posts:
CharlotteStreetW1 · 08/09/2025 22:00

If they ask, just tell them the truth?

TitsInAbsentia · 08/09/2025 22:00

moderndilemma · 08/09/2025 20:50

I hate that I get asked to take things off when others do not. Recently I was with colleagues, I was wearing a vest top (that I'd never wear with colleagues without something over it). I was made to take my very light jacket off. Meanwhile men were walking thought with t-shirts and hoodies, work shirts and jackets. I think some security people are unfair.

I had this earlier in the year, DH thinks it was because my jumper/jacket had a full length zip in it?

moderndilemma · 08/09/2025 22:24

TitsInAbsentia · 08/09/2025 22:00

I had this earlier in the year, DH thinks it was because my jumper/jacket had a full length zip in it?

Show quote history

For every reason the the security guy could tell me I need to take my top off, I could point to a man with a zipped top / a hood / external pockets / shoulder pads... None of whom were asked to strip to their vests in public.

SoftOctoberNight · 09/09/2025 07:17

@Aquarius1234 cant link I’m afraid but it’s usually the sea salt Handybands or similar.

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