Transgender (un)friendly airlines

[ria_ts]

Have you encountered a specially positive or specially negative experience with any airlines while traveling presenting as your desired gender? Please share any experiences that you can.

[Dita_B]

I have nothing but praise for Delta...

No problems both ways... From curb check in, with online printed boarding pass, till check in and boarding the aircraft, nothing but praise... They didn't even blink an eye when I presented my male picture ID...

They addressed me consistently with Ma'am... "welcome a'board Ma'am, have a good trip Ma'am, thank you for flying with us, Ma'am"... what more does a girl want while in a foreign country traveling alone...They made me feel really good... They even helped me putting my carry-on in the overhead bin...

:love:
Dita.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd233/Dita_B/SCC2008223.jpg

[Eileen]

My only flight was on Jet Blue and evey one was nice. No problems what so ever.

Eileen

[Niya W]

No issues on ghetto er south west .

[rexy]

i just flew from wiscosin to california and back on airtran. The flight went just perfect there and back. They treated me with all the respect of a woman. They should get an a+ :)

[Jenna1561]

I almost always fly American and never have had a problem. They've always been polite and courteous and sometimes friendly, depending on the flight and passenger load.

I've been on United twice enfemme and no problems.

Jen

[Suzy Harrison]

I've flown nine times now with both Qantas and Skywest Airlines (in Australia). Everytime I've flown I've always been treated very well.

I had to smile when I read Dita's post praising Delta.

I flew with them twice last year (as a guy) and thought they were the only bad airline I've had ever come across. So - I guess sometimes the way you present has nothing to do with the service.

OK - I'm flying with them again this year to get to Atlanta (they are the cheapest - I can't think why) - This time I'll be as Suzy - so we shall see !!

[Dita_B]

Well, Suzy, that proves it! Delta is apparently way nicer to girls than to guys!

:love:
Dita.

[Sharon]

I have flown on United and USAir the past couple years, both before and after my legal name change. I have always been treated respectfully just as any one would expect to be.

[Suzy Harrison]

Well, Suzy, that proves it! Delta is apparently way nicer to girls than to guys!

:love:
Dita.




Yes. you have to change your sex to get good service on Delta !

:hugs: suzy

[Nicki B]

The only problem I'm aware of was with United Airlines (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/airline-told-transsexual-to-remove-dress-and-wig-if-he-wanted-to-fly-668482.html) - a friend of mine was allowed to board, en femme, but then surrounded and marched off, in front of the whole planeload of passengers, because she refused to change into male attire...

But that was eight years ago, in Nebraska. It's the subject of a very long-running law suit, but as United are still officially in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it's never been resolved.

I know many girls who cross the Atlantic regularly (one's going to Chicago next week) and nothing else has ever happened. :)

[Dita_B]

The only problem I'm aware of was with United Airlines (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/airline-told-transsexual-to-remove-dress-and-wig-if-he-wanted-to-fly-668482.html) - a friend of mine was allowed to board, en femme, but then surrounded and marched off, in front of the whole planeload of passengers, because she refused to change into male attire...


Wow! I just read the article... I wonder what they would do if one doesn't have any male attire in one's luggage... like I travel, for instance...

Anyway, I will take take your warning and won't fly with United... Thanks for the tip...

:love:
Dita.

[TxKimberly]

All kidding aside, I've lost count of how many flights I've taken now, and they were scattered across all of the airlines (my company seeking the cheapest flights).
My favorite is Delta, but that's because I have "Gold" status with them and so get to fly first class a lot.
Other airlines that I specifically recall flying femme on:
American
Jet Blue
United
US Airways (Been flying them a LOT lately)
South West
America West

Again, ALL treated me very well.

[Sejd]

When my SO and i boarded the Quantas plane for Australia some weeks ago, the flight attendant noticed we had the same last name. ( I was traveling en femme) So she smiled at us and said:" Wow, same last names, you must be sisters"
that became the joke of the holiday.

[TxKimberly]

Oh yeah, I've got an ax to grind with United myself. I arrived in Boston once and pulled my guitar off the luggage rack. The case was undamaged, but as is my habit over the decades, I opened it to check the guitar inside. I found my $1,600 Takamine Guitar smashed. This was by far the nicest guitar I had ever owned and I had intended to hand it down to my children when I kicked off. Worse yet, it was bought with money I made writing a program - a one off deal, and I couldn't afford to spend that kind of money today.
with the case in good shape and the guitar smashed, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that someone had to have removed the guitar from the case, damaged it, then returned it to the case. I had to brow beat them into returning talking to me and in the end, they refused to do ANYTHING including apologize. I was furious and told my travel coordinator that I would never step on another United plane and that I'd quite if they tried to force me to. Three years later I had calmed down and told her go ahead and book me on United. That very next flight I went to New York state and they sent my toolbox to Florida. Yep, I'd have to admit United is definitely on my shit list, but not for TG reasons.

[Nicki B]

South West


Don't SouthWest have a TS girl as a Captain, now?

[TxKimberly]

Don't SouthWest have a TS girl as a Captain, now?

LOL WE have at least half a dozen pilots right here on this forum! How many are "out" I have no idea.

[Michelle_Tokyo]

My favorite is ANA. I only fly to/from Japan though so that does limit my choices. They are so girl friendly it is truly amazing. My latest trip report was on ANA and I cannot say enough good things about them. The connection on that flight to DFW from ORD was on United but one of their United Express airlines. Again, they did a stellar job too. I am a long time member of United's program using them 5-6 times a year across the pond. Although they are understandably spotty domestically where the FAs and Pilots all do many legs each day (happens to the best of us after a long day), I have been very pleased internationally.

UA will be seeing a fair amount of me this Autumn as soon as football season starts back up. One of my favorite reasons to travel. I shall report back on how it all goes. I am very pleased to say that I do not think it would be possible to be satisfied flying anymore if I were not "flying pretty". It is sooo addictive.

Michelle

[Niya W]

LOL WE have at least half a dozen pilots right here on this forum! How many are "out" I have no idea.

Knows a pilot on United. Sorry Kim :(and yes she is out :)

[victoriamwilliams1]

Oh yeah, I've got an ax to grind with United myself. I arrived in Boston once and pulled my guitar off the luggage rack. The case was undamaged, but as is my habit over the decades, I opened it to check the guitar inside. I found my $1,600 Takamine Guitar smashed. This was by far the nicest guitar I had ever owned and I had intended to hand it down to my children when I kicked off. Worse yet, it was bought with money I made writing a program - a one off deal, and I couldn't afford to spend that kind of money today.
with the case in good shape and the guitar smashed, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that someone had to have removed the guitar from the case, damaged it, then returned it to the case. I had to brow beat them into returning talking to me and in the end, they refused to do ANYTHING including apologize. I was furious and told my travel coordinator that I would never step on another United plane and that I'd quite if they tried to force me to. Three years later I had calmed down and told her go ahead and book me on United. That very next flight I went to New York state and they sent my toolbox to Florida. Yep, I'd have to admit United is definitely on my shit list, but not for TG reasons.


They did not pay for it? Now that would make me very upset!

[KaraChristine]

Being a flight attendant, I can't help sticking my two cents in here. I work for a charter airline that does mostly military flights so it's a very unique environment, but the entire company and even the military passengers have been incredibly supportive throughout my transition (I've been full time female at work for about 3 months now). And a typical 2 week trip for me includes lots of domestic and international "deadheading" (flying as a passenger) on lots of airlines. While flying as a passenger over the past 3 months, I've told the story of my transition to the other flight attendants on United, USAirways, Delta, Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, American and even Kuwait Airways!! The reaction across the board has been jubilant and congratulatory. In every case, the flight attendants had lots of examples of CD/TG's that they encounter regularly - both passengers and other employees. In every case, the flight crews expressed their full support and understanding of the special issues we face.

And on a side note... if you think it's a unique experience to present as a gender variant passenger, the experience of being a TG flight attendant is even more striking. When I walk through an airport in uniform people are literally stunned - heads turn, mouths open... even if they're used to seeing CD/TG people around once in a while, it seems to be a truly educational eye-opener for them to realize that we can actually hold high profile public contact jobs like air crew.

I'm sure most of the airline personnel in this forum will agree with me when I say that every airline is more than used to the presence of gender-variant passengers. Flight attendants in particular all around the world seem to view it as a welcome, 'groovy', fun experience to have one of us on board. So fly away:D

[Jenny J]

I (we) have always treated passengers with dignity and respect regardless of race, creed or gender. It’s your luggage that we treat with distain and contempt :waiting:(appologies to Kimberly).

But remeber what your mother use to tell you, "treat other people how you wish to be treated in turn." Aircrews are there for your safety, not to cater to your every whim.

Jen

:rose2:

[Dita_B]

Thanks a lot for your enlightening post Kara! I am sure it helps a lot for those who are taking the plunge for the first time, to know that the airline staff has no problems with us and see not only ourselves, but enough others as well, to consider it an almost routine event...

I, for one, am really happy with your post... thanks again!

:love:
Dita.

[TxKimberly]

. . .
I'm sure most of the airline personnel in this forum will agree with me when I say that every airline is more than used to the presence of gender-variant passengers. Flight attendants in particular all around the world seem to view it as a welcome, 'groovy', fun experience to have one of us on board. So fly away:D

Of course we may expect you to speak well of your peers, industry, and profession, so I'll back you up! Every single flight, with many different airlines, I've always been treated well. In some cases, I'd say they even treated me better than I might have been treated were I drab. I'm a LOT more likely to get a huge smile and a conversation from a flight attendant when dressed then I am in drab.

[kellycan27]

I fly American Airlines ...Boston,Miami,Dallas,New York,Chicago.. Never had a problem..ever.

[MarieTS]

Hhmmm, ok--let me see if I understand how this works.... You purchase tickets in your male name and then show up enfemme? There are no problems with passing, etc? By which name do they address you and how about passengers? DO they go out of their way to avoid talking with you etc., once you "are made?" Restroom problems? How about shaving during those long transcontinental flights?

[TxKimberly]

Hhmmm, ok--let me see if I understand how this works.... You purchase tickets in your male name and then show up enfemme? There are no problems with passing, etc? By which name do they address you and how about passengers? DO they go out of their way to avoid talking with you etc., once you "are made?" Restroom problems? How about shaving during those long transcontinental flights?

Yeah, you got it pretty much right.
Buy the tickets in your male name.
Show up dressed for the flight and give them your legal male ID.
The rest goes just as any flight would go. I've been traveling about once or twice a week this way for about a year now and I've only ran into one woman who seemed short with me. And who knows, maybe she was having a bad day and it had nothing to do with me.
restrooms? Most US airports have "Family" or "Special Needs" restrooms that are not gender specific. I try and use these. If not available, I will resort to the female restroom, but only when desperate. Everyone has to make their own call on if they are passable enough to get away with using the female restroom.

International flights? I'll have to let some of the braver people speak to that because there is no way in hell I'd do it. The shaving problem, the fear that the customs and immigration folks on the receiving end might make a fuss about it, etc, etc, and I just couldn't see doing it.

[Michelle_Tokyo]

Hhmmm, ok--let me see if I understand how this works.... You purchase tickets in your male name and then show up enfemme? There are no problems with passing, etc? By which name do they address you and how about passengers? DO they go out of their way to avoid talking with you etc., once you "are made?" Restroom problems? How about shaving during those long transcontinental flights?

Hi Marie,

I absolutely agree with Kim. The single biggest impediment to our enjoying being “pretty” in the air is ourselves. The staff could not be better. I have had wonderful experiences. Not nearly as a many as some here, but definitely have been completely impressed by how wonderfully welcome and open armed the airline staff tend to be. From ground to air very welcoming.

The international thing is what I most enjoy. I guess this is for a couple of reasons. I live in Tokyo and flying to and from the US is where I see people flying old school most often. By this I mean they tend to dress up a bit for the trip. Sure you get the folks in sweats but if you save your miles and upgrade into C or F there is greater frequency of others being dressed nicely. It makes me feel I fit in better actually. The passengers from Japan specifically are very used to a high degree of relative femininity in the males here so when I go all out they look and think little of it for the most part. I would say the predominant comment is “you look great”. Some snicker, but hey that goes with the territory. The other reason I like t is that the feminine in public day is a lot longer and I relish that.

Flying into the US is a breeze for a US citizen because you can come in wearing anything you darn well please and they cannot say boo so long as they can recognize you in the passport. I think for any of us wanting to try international flying the homeward bound leg is the best place to gain confidence. You know what to expect at immigration. I flew into Japan “pretty” and it was also easy. I had called the immigration folks here in advance and asked specifically about this and they said that not only are they trained to focus on trying to identify the person and ignore the rest, they are specifically told that clearing immigration en femme (according to the person with whom I spoke it is a common thing here) is not to be a cause for detaining someone. True to form leaving and entering Japan on a recent trip to the US I was treated very very well.

The beard thing is a pain. More frustrating that it is there than hard to deal with discreetly. But with a bit of patience, a realization that you will have to re-smooth your face halfway through, and a lot of concealer and foundation, you will get through it just fine. Make your eyes pop a bit extra and take the focus off your chin maybe. By the time it is time to fix your face a few hours out from the US the cabin is pitch black anyway so not so much to worry about in that respect. I left it until a couple hours out and it was fine. The restrooms at the airport are exactly as Kim said. All countries that I have been to have the special needs toilets with automatically sliding and locking doors. I used them often to take off my wig and wipe the sweat off because I was so unnecessarily nervous on the way out. The way back was much easier.

Good luck and enjoy, it so much fun!

Michelle

[Nicki B]

Oh yeah, I've got an ax to grind with United myself. I arrived in Boston once and pulled my guitar off the luggage rack. The case was undamaged, but as is my habit over the decades, I opened it to check the guitar inside. I found my $1,600 Takamine Guitar smashed. This was by far the nicest guitar I had ever owned and I had intended to hand it down to my children when I kicked off. Worse yet, it was bought with money I made writing a program - a one off deal, and I couldn't afford to spend that kind of money today.
with the case in good shape and the guitar smashed, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that someone had to have removed the guitar from the case, damaged it, then returned it to the case. I had to brow beat them into returning talking to me and in the end, they refused to do ANYTHING including apologize. I was furious and told my travel coordinator that I would never step on another United plane and that I'd quite if they tried to force me to. Three years later I had calmed down and told her go ahead and book me on United. That very next flight I went to New York state and they sent my toolbox to Florida. Yep, I'd have to admit United is definitely on my shit list, but not for TG reasons.

Especially for you, then....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo


Was it a Taylor, too? :eek:

[TxKimberly]

5YGc4zOqozo


Especially for you, then....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo


Was it a Taylor, too? :eek:

OMG! I logged on to the forum specifically to post about that myself! And since I went through the effort to write it, I'll go ahead and post it here! lol

Y'all may recall that a few years ago on a trip to the Boston area for training, I had a bit of a tragedy - United Airlines smashed my $1,600 Takinime guitar. This was by far the most expensive guitar, and finest instrument I had, or ever will, own. It was bought when my wife and I were both working and my son was almost grown. In other words, when we had a hell of a lot more money than I have these days. I had fully intended this to be the last guitar I ever bought, an instrument worthy of being handed down to my children when I shuffled off to the great bar gig in the sky.

It was in a hard case and the case itself was undamaged while the guitar inside had been smashed and the top broken from the body. United refused to accept any responsibility and never even apologized. After fighting with them over and over, and being shuffled from person to person, they ultimately offered me $50 off of my next flight. They made that offer by phone, which was wise, because so help me God I would have killed the man on the spot if I could have reached him.

Well, it looks like they did pretty much exactly the same thing to another guy, but this time they goofed. Other passengers on the plane witnessed the guitars being thrown around by the baggage handlers. The band members actually called the cabin crew over to witness the treatment their instruments were getting while it was happening. Other passengers witnessed the same. Despite all of this, United treated this gentleman just like they had me - they gave him the run around and then in the end told him they would not do anything to make it right.

So you know how I mentioned that this time they goofed? Yeah, they screwed with the wrong guy! Unlike me, this guy has talent, a band, and the resources to get a professional video made. He warned them in the end that if they didn't make it right, he would produce three videos and put them on the World Wide Web. Apparently he doesn't make empty threats, because he did just that! His first video - "United Breaks Guitars" has gone viral. In 24 hours it has over 1.2 million views, CNN has taken up the story, and United Airlines has already contacted him to "make things right".

So now I have mixed feelings. Dave Carroll has brought United to their knees - he is getting justice. I swear if I ever meet the guy, I'll hug him like he was family. On the other hand, MY guitar is still sitting in my bedroom, shattered, never to be played again. So sad . . .

Please give it a listen and then I'd appreciate a moment of silence for the once beautiful guitar I had intended to hand down to my children, the guitar that I can no longer afford to buy. Sniff . . .

[Leasa Wells]

I hope united an any other airlines takes notice, great video

[JenJenNumber9]

I fly a lot internationally and twice had my luggage lost permanently. Both times the airlines (Royal Jordanian and Taca) gave me the runaround trying to avoid any liability. With Taca, however, I pursued legal action (small claims) and once faced with the real threat of legal action, they reimbursed me.

My experience is you have to threaten the airline with legal action if they destroy your luggage. Otherwise, they will do nothing.

Also, FYI, many homeowners policies cover lost or damaged luggage. With the Taca loss, between Taca and my homeowner's policy, I was able to turn a suit case of so-so scuba gear into a whole new very nice tech rig (deep diving) of scuba gear.

[TxKimberly]

I fly a lot internationally and twice had my luggage lost permanently. Both times the airlines (Royal Jordanian and Taca) gave me the runaround trying to avoid any liability. With Taca, however, I pursued legal action (small claims) and once faced with the real threat of legal action, they reimbursed me.

My experience is you have to threaten the airline with legal action if they destroy your luggage. Otherwise, they will do nothing.

Also, FYI, many homeowners policies cover lost or damaged luggage. With the Taca loss, between Taca and my homeowner's policy, I was able to turn a suit case of so-so scuba gear into a whole new very nice tech rig (deep diving) of scuba gear.


I did in fact use my homeowners insurance to replace the guitar. The replacement was a newer version of the destroyed guitar, but does not sound or play as sweet AND of course I had to come up with the deductible. :(

[joanlynn28]

After just having returned from Thailand have to say had no problems with American Airlines, American Eagle, ANA, Singapore Airlines, etc. Just have to say that the American carriers need to take a look at the foreign carriers, their customer service is in a class my itself. On my return flight my sister had a bleeding episode on our flight from Bangkok, Thailand to Toyko and the flight attendents went above and beyond helping her out. Unheard of with any of the US airlines. It is hard to believe the differences in service despite flying on the same model aircraft (Boeing 777) better seating layout, larger restrooms, full galleys on the Singapore Airlines plane. Next time I go overseas I will be flying a foriegn airline if at all possible. Better pilots too, out flight into Narita(Toyko) our captain almost had the wingtip hit the ground on the left side and then again on the right. So much for his last name being Lindberg, I am not kidding about the name. The most important thing in traveling is that one my id matches my personna, two my passport matches, yes it is female(that in itself was work in doing, got a temperory one to be able to travel overseas to get SRS done)anyone interested in knowing how to get through the red tape let me know I can tell you what you have to do to get your passport in order. It makes it a lot easier to travel if all of your documentation matches who you will be traveling as.

[Jessinthesprings]

Don't SouthWest have a TS girl as a Captain, now?

I'm pretty sire United does too.

[Sejd]

How about that Takamine guitar, didn't you have a hard case for it? It just breaks my heart!!!!