I often wear a photog's vest, loaded with goodies, when I fly. The point is that it serves as an extra piece of luggage and often allows one to fly without a checked bag. The vest must be removed and put on a tray at all the checkpoints with which I am familiar (domestic travel only). The same would apply to the Ribz vest, right?

And I am afraid you are correct - it does look a bit ominous (meaning not what everyone else is wearing). Maybe it is a good way to see if TSA is really on the ball.