VS Fan
12-21-2009, 09:07 PM
Until the first time I traveled with my "femme gear", I scoured this board for "travel threads"... specifically wondering what I could and couldn't get away with in my carry-on... (I didn't like the idea of checking my bag with my forms in it in case my bag was lost, misplaced etc) Anyway, I thought I would share a recent travel experience in hopes that it will encourage others to not be afraid to bring their other self with them when they travel :)
First off, on my way out of town, I threw in all my femme clothes and in particular my silicone forms into my carry on... (even though I'm out to my wife, I'm way too closeted to travel en-femme at this point)... made it through security without as much as a raised eyebrow....
I always worry about the hotel cleaning people "going through my stuff" so I just got one of those TSA approved locks and keep that on my suitcase, and as often as not, I'll leave the do not disturb sign on my door at the hotel and just call the desk if I need fresh towels or whatever... solves that problem.
On the way back, my bag did get picked out for a double check... but I just casually mentioned to the bag checker that it might be a little "embarassing" and could he please be discreet with all the other folks around... he said no problem and offered (very politely) a private screening (which was just in a nearby break-room nothing fancy or scary)... anyway, they opened my bag and quickly went through it and when he came across the forms he nodded ascent and with a friendly smile said, "nope, haven't seen those before!" They zipped the bag back up and told me to have a great day.
(My bag had in fact been screened another time where they just opened it right then and there and had a good chuckle at what they found, but didn't say anything directly to me or make a big deal about it... they didn't hold them up for public viewing or anything.)
Anyway the point of this thread is that I have discovered that it's really pretty easy to travel with your femme stuff if you simply don't worry about it... no one in TSA cares, no one knows you, and they have much bigger fish to fry (and generally a long @$$ line behind you to worry about.)
I used to HATE travelling since I was too afraid to bring my forms with me, and I hated not having them... but now even though I'd still rather be at home with the family... the trips aren't as bad :D
I hope this helps at least ONE person out there get up the guts to take all your stuff with you on your next trip!!
VS Fan
First off, on my way out of town, I threw in all my femme clothes and in particular my silicone forms into my carry on... (even though I'm out to my wife, I'm way too closeted to travel en-femme at this point)... made it through security without as much as a raised eyebrow....
I always worry about the hotel cleaning people "going through my stuff" so I just got one of those TSA approved locks and keep that on my suitcase, and as often as not, I'll leave the do not disturb sign on my door at the hotel and just call the desk if I need fresh towels or whatever... solves that problem.
On the way back, my bag did get picked out for a double check... but I just casually mentioned to the bag checker that it might be a little "embarassing" and could he please be discreet with all the other folks around... he said no problem and offered (very politely) a private screening (which was just in a nearby break-room nothing fancy or scary)... anyway, they opened my bag and quickly went through it and when he came across the forms he nodded ascent and with a friendly smile said, "nope, haven't seen those before!" They zipped the bag back up and told me to have a great day.
(My bag had in fact been screened another time where they just opened it right then and there and had a good chuckle at what they found, but didn't say anything directly to me or make a big deal about it... they didn't hold them up for public viewing or anything.)
Anyway the point of this thread is that I have discovered that it's really pretty easy to travel with your femme stuff if you simply don't worry about it... no one in TSA cares, no one knows you, and they have much bigger fish to fry (and generally a long @$$ line behind you to worry about.)
I used to HATE travelling since I was too afraid to bring my forms with me, and I hated not having them... but now even though I'd still rather be at home with the family... the trips aren't as bad :D
I hope this helps at least ONE person out there get up the guts to take all your stuff with you on your next trip!!
VS Fan