flying as Natasha Toronto - Sydney...

[Natasha TG]

So as some of you girls are aware, I am off to Australia in a coupe of days for nearly 3 weeks (hmm I travel a lot:D).

I am flying from Toronto to Sydney, then stayover for a 5hr connection then onto Melbourne to meet my wife.

So I suddenly had a revalation, hey what if I fly as Natasha for the whole trip, or at least from Toronto to Sydney...:D - I mean it's going to be a long trip, so might as well have fun!

Now now, before MJ usually replies... OMG you have it bad girl:eek: I mean it's going to be a very long trip and such a great chance to be interacting with people in the airport carpet lounges and on the plane.... Seriously I think I could have fun...not the usual night club or bar fun - but a different type of fun! Just think, the guy or girl next to me would tells his/her story of flying 20+hrs with a "fun hilarious" CD next to them:heehee:

so I got on the phone today to check how I can do this - flying as Natasha, but travelling my id in male form and using my male name. would there be any problems with not matching id at the secuirty gate? after 2hrs of calls:

1. called the CATSA (Canadian air transport secuirty authority). they told me to contact the Airline you are flying with.

2. called Aircanada.. they said they are not resposible for security situations. they told me to contact #1 above and gave me a diffent tel number.

3. called back the CATSA in another department. told me to contact the airline. after a long conversation, they then told me to contact the airport security, or better yet to go there in person as Natasha to get pre advice to avoid potential delays or issues at the gate.

4. I plan to go to the airport to speak to someone about this in the morning. I will go as Natasha, bring all my documentation etc and see what happens.

Now the CATSA website offers great ideas on how to minimise delays and possible issues at the security such as gels, laptop etc... even to the point that it is not nessessary to remove hats or head coverings, so i am thinking... hmmm hats, my blonde hair... hmmm...

what''s frustrating is that there is no information on what if you are a CD,TG,TS etc....:eek:

so I am going to talk to the security today and when I do fly I will probably bring my guy clothes in the carry on, then if they have an issue at security gate due to the fact that my passport picture does not match who I am currently displaying, I can simply take off my wig - tada! or even go as far as change back in my guy clothes to go throught security.

now the problem... how do i enter the ladies and then leave as a guy:heehee: maybe I will end up going into the guys as Natasha and leave as a guy...:tongueout but i hope it will not come to that:doh:

[HannahF6]

Sounds exciting if you can make it work. You don't have to enter a men's washroom and exit female, or vice versa, YYZ has lots of large washrooms for parents with children or disabled access, use one of those.

I've flown Vancouver to Sydney a few times, that is a long trip an d YYZ to Sydney is even longer, the thing I'd be concerned about would be growing stubble under my make-up.

Hannah

[Natasha TG]

ah yes thanks Hannah for the washroom idea. I forgot about those.:hugs:

I'm not to concerned with stubble, I actually did makeup today before going out in 5mins! so I'm thinking at one stage I could go to the ladies on the plane:heehee: and do a quick shave and reapply the lower half makeup dermablend, foundation and setting powder easily. my stubble facial hair grows slow anyways!:)

I have been spending a lot of time as Natasha the past 2 weeks so the length of the journey will not be that uncomfortable. I alreay have a short list of shoes and pumps that I could wear as there is a lot of walking etc. I don't have flats in my whole entire shoes closet, so I may have to pick up something with a modest 2-3" heel or flat. all my shoes are 4" plus:D

BTW, if Ashley, April or MJ are reading this then okay... have a laugh... unfortunetly you will not see this girl in flats or low heel... and no... i will not take a picture for you wearing a low heel:tongueout

[noeleena]

Hi..
It wont make any differeance if your name is male or female or even how you dress . my pass port is still in my male name & will be for a while,
yet i am a woman & all legal birth cert are all done , as we say if dressed as a female then use all female loos in syd they are cool with us so no probs there . or brisbane as iv been through both airports . all i was asked to do was take my army boots off & have them scaned . & dont worry about breast forms as i have used them before . now i dont need then & again no probs .

All i did was ring img & passports dept & tell them of my names both as male & female & no problems .
My passport has my female pic , & has done from the first time i did the passport .
Hope you have a good time in oz e, Oh i have lots of friends over there as well ,

...noeleena...

[StaceyJane]

Sounds like fun. Have a great trip!

[IamSara]

sounds like great fun. Keep us posted as to how it goes. I travel all the time and am very concerned about how to get through security as Sarah.
Sarah :rose2:

[Stephenie S]

You are worrying about all the wrong things. If you are who you say you are it will matter not a whit what you are wearing (unless, unfortunately, you decide to wear middle Eastern garb). If you have a valid passport with your correct information on it, that's all they will care about. Your dress is immaterial to the transportation security crowd. And don't worry, although you seems to think so, you are not the only crossdresser in Canada. They have seen PLENTY of others.

The things you should worry about (and ask me how I know) are your own comfort on a long flight. The first time I flew, I was absolutely the ONLY woman on the plane in a skirt. I did attract some attention on that count. Your shoes. Flats are the ONLY shoes you should wear. Again, NO WOMAN flies in 4" heels. Your beard. Make no mistake, even though no one will really care, you will be read. If you take the time to shave in the "lady's", then some prude is apt to complain to the stewardess, if for no other reason than to give you a hard time. You may find yourself talking through the door to an enquiring stewardess and then walking back to your seat with every eye on the plane on you.

Go ahead and fly, sweetie. But wear a relaxed and casual outfit. Jeans and a Tshirt or a pretty jumper. A nice set of sweats. Something comfy and easy. Take along a good book. Don't try and "tuck". You will be sitting for a LONG time and you want to be able to get in and out of the "lady's" quickly and efficiently. Expect to be "read" and expect people to not really care. Have fun.

Stephie

[Sarah_C]

Wow that will be a very long time en femme, best of luck to you!

[MJ]

Now now, before MJ usually replies... OMG you have it bad girl:eek:

FINE I so dare you to do it :tongueout . you should be fine sis :hugs:


oh by the way i want pictures of you on the plane dressed :tongueout

[darla_g]

You know with the current state of international security I wouldn't do anything to draw attention to myself.

I was just entering Canada recently (and this is in drab) and i had a huge issue coming in. and i had just a single bag, absolutely nothing in my past or present that would cause a problem. So you just never know.

Someone could just get real difficult and then where would you be? So why potentially bring this upon yourself?

[HannahF6]

This sounds like such an exciting trip, please let us know how it works out. I travel a lot and have Aeroplan Elite status so use the lounges a lot. They are nice quiet places where you can relax before a major trip of exploration like this. I hope you have status. Next, I'd imagine that flying YYZ to Sydney en femme would be a lot more comfortable in business class, I hope you have either booked in business class or have upgrade certificates. For one thing, you'd have way less competition for the bathroom if you need to shave mid-flight.

Hannah

[TxKimberly]

There are a few of us here that fly quite a lot. I can tell you that it is NOT an issue here in the United States as I have now flown from at least a dozen different airports dressed.
Note that I stressed "in the United States". I have no idea what issues may arise in Canada, though Suzy's flights make it clear that Australia doesn't have a problem with it.
Here's the thing though. I consider myself brave, but I wouldn't even briefly consider taking an international flight dressed. No way in hell i would take that kind of chance as some countries are really quite fussy about being sure who they are allowing in, and they may well get testy if you look significantly different than the pic on your passport.
Good luck - I can't wait to hear how it went!

[eileendover]

The things you should worry about (and ask me how I know) are your own comfort on a long flight. The first time I flew, I was absolutely the ONLY woman on the plane in a skirt. I did attract some attention on that count. Your shoes. Flats are the ONLY shoes you should wear. Again, NO WOMAN flies in 4" heels. Your beard....
Go ahead and fly, sweetie. But wear a relaxed and casual outfit. Jeans and a Tshirt or a pretty jumper. A nice set of sweats. Something comfy and easy. Take along a good book. Don't try and "tuck". You will be sitting for a LONG time and you want to be able to get in and out of the "lady's" quickly and efficiently.

I agree with Stephanie. 20+ hours is a LONG time to sit in an airline seat, even if you get up to walk around (which you really must). And you'll probably sleep for at least a few hours. We're worried you'll be so uncomfortable, even if nobody on the plane, or at any security checkpoint, cares how you're dressed. Go for the comfort! :hugs:

[TxKimberly]

. . . NO WOMAN flies in 4" heels. . . .

Ahem . . . cough . . . cough . . . I'm gonna have to beg to differ there! :D

[eluuzion]

I am in the same boat with Darla_g if it was me. But it is you, so knock yourself out. I just returned from a week in Vegas. I used to travel 6 out of 7 days a week before 9/11. Don't care if I ever see an airport or room service the rest of my life, lol.
But I had it down to a science then. 46 min from my home to parking garage, end of concourse B and made the plane. That was my personal best, lol.


Last week, I missed my departing flight, missed the standby, and purchased a second one-way to get to Vegas on time. Then missed the return flight, spent 9 hours with no luck on standby and finally caught the 9pm home.
I think it is safe to assume I am a little rusty on the air travel these days....hehehe. Glad I do not have to do it now with all the security gymnastics required.

Don't worry about the wig. Any flight between NYC and Miami has about 80% of the passengers wearing a purple-ish white retired grandma wig...lol

Just remember to never, never ever shake a baby...or yell HI to anyone named JACK on an aircraft....hehe

have fun

[Rogina B]

Like everyone else has said.If you don't have ID matching your girl look[great to have] then [if put on the spot] you can lift the front of your wig up a little for the Immigration person to satisfy them of your maleness that matches the pic on your passport. No one else needs to see you do this so there is no "public embarrassment" from it. Have fun,slip thoseheels off and relax "like the real girls do". :2c:

[Stephenie S]

Ahem . . . cough . . . cough . . . I'm gonna have to beg to differ there!

I repeat. No woman flies with 4" heels. I don't know anyone who even WEARS 4" heels. The general flight wear today is extremely casual. Jeans, Tshirts, and sweats.

Wear what you want, when you want. I am just trying to smooth the way for a beginner. Airports involve a LOT of walking, sometimes carrying multiple and heavy pieces of luggage. Just the spot for fetishistic high heels. (NOT!)

Stephie

[MJ]

Ahem . . . cough . . . cough . . . I'm gonna have to beg to differ there!

i have :tongueout

[TxKimberly]

Ahem . . . cough . . . cough . . . I'm gonna have to beg to differ there!

I repeat. No woman flies with 4" heels. I don't know anyone who even WEARS 4" heels. The general flight wear today is extremely casual. Jeans, Tshirts, and sweats.

Wear what you want, when you want. I am just trying to smooth the way for a beginner. Airports involve a LOT of walking, sometimes carrying multiple and heavy pieces of luggage. Just the spot for fetishistic high heels. (NOT!)

Stephie

That's SO cute - someone telling me all about airports! ROFL
Yes, I still get your point and I'm still gonna have to argue with you. While I agree, most women do not wear 4 inch heels anywhere, let alone to the airport, I see plenty of drop dead gorgeous women wearing them through the airports. I remember watching one young lady take off her five inch heels and I started to smile, thinking to myself "She must have decided to wear something a bit more sensible". Well I was wrong, because she just changed into another pair with heels every bit as high.
I see enough women walking through the airports in 4 inch heels that I would even say that they were not rare.
Oh, and thanks for being absolutely sure I knew I wasn't a woman. I get a little confused about that every once in a while . . . :D

[MJ]

Natasha is on her way she did fly as Natasha:eek: she is so giong to make me eat my words. hope you have a wonderful trip sis :hugs:

[sherri52]

You should be ok in flying. We have girls on the forum that have flown in both countries without incident. Flying between them shouldn't add any more excitement. Good luck

[IamSara]

That's SO cute - someone telling me all about airports! ROFL
Yes, I still get your point and I'm still gonna have to argue with you. While I agree, most women do not wear 4 inch heels anywhere, let alone to the airport, I see plenty of drop dead gorgeous women wearing them through the airports. I remember watching one young lady take off her five inch heels and I started to smile, thinking to myself "She must have decided to wear something a bit more sensible". Well I was wrong, because she just changed into another pair with heels every bit as high.
I see enough women walking through the airports in 4 inch heels that I would even say that they were not rare.
Oh, and thanks for being absolutely sure I knew I wasn't a woman. I get a little confused about that every once in a while . . . :D

I couldn't agree more. I fly almost every week and see it all the time. Oh to be able to. One day maybe.
Sarah :rose2:

[eluuzion]

woman[/U] flies with 4" heels. I don't know anyone who even WEARS 4" heels.

Stephie

So, what you are saying is that you have never been to(thru) the airport in Miami, Las Vegas or Dallas? When I first moved to Dallas, for awhile I thought there might be a rule for females to wear heels to Cowboys games. The women there do not even take out the trash without full makeup on...lol BTW...I am not complaining...:D

My personal opinion is that the TSA should require all female passengers over the age of 21 to wear heels with a minimum height measurement of 3.5". I don't have a valid reason for the rule, I think they should just do it.:heehee:

[gabimartini]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but since I dislike airtravel immensely, I couldn't think of anything worse than doing it en femme! Aside from the utmost discomfort of sitting in a tight tinbox for hours on end, I'm also thinking about other things:

1. Untucking/tucking with every trip to that crampy little restroom
2. Wig malfunctioning as you try to take a nap
3. Make-up rubbing off on plane seat
4. Stubble
5. Upon arrival, I look haggard enough as a male; don't want to find out what a haggard CDer would look like! ;-P

Nope, this is not for me! Nonetheless, I do hope you have a great time! Let us know what the outcome is with the travel authorities!!

[Kaitlyn Michele]

just be careful about security...just because someone has sailed through every time does not mean you will..the more you DONT look like your id, the more you get hassled...you could pack your girl stuff in your travel bag, and change post security, but there are certain things you can't take on the plane (anything over 3 oz ) so u have to make sure nothing will get taken from you..

it sounds like you don't care if you are outed and so the rest should work out fine...
i would add that before you go, you should try your plan out by putting on all your stuff, getting nice and tucked, making yourself up and then find a cramped chair in your house and an obnoxious blabbermouth male friend to talk to you for 20 hours straight. just to increase your tolerance...:heehee:

and lots of girls wear heels to the airport...i was there yesterday and saw the cutest summery pair

[darla_g]

Like everyone else has said.If you don't have ID matching your girl look[great to have] then [if put on the spot] you can lift the front of your wig up a little for the Immigration person to satisfy them of your maleness that matches the pic on your passport. No one else needs to see you do this so there is no "public embarrassment" from it. Have fun,slip thoseheels off and relax "like the real girls do". :2c:
i would be mortified to do that!

I still stand by my other statement. I am an upstanding citizen with no record or anything. There is NO reason I should be getting hassled but i have gotten lectured by immigration people that it is a "privilege" to enter the country and they need a full explanation of why you are entering the country where you are going and who you are meeting with.

I have seen people turned away at the border. I just don't think it is even worth the slightest risk of running into problems especially if it means that you have to get back onto an airplane.

I have had luggage examined and even questioned as to why i had a wig etc. and whether this was a disguise. I am not kidding about this. When i cross the border i want to be as low key as possible and not draw attention to oneself. Not trying to rain on anyone's parade but I think a problem can crop up anytime.

[TxKimberly]

. . .
i would add that before you go, you should try your plan out by putting on all your stuff, getting nice and tucked, making yourself up and then find a cramped chair in your house and an obnoxious blabbermouth male friend to talk to you for 20 hours straight. just to increase your tolerance...:heehee:. . .

ROFL LOVE the picture that paints in my head.



. . . I have seen people turned away at the border. I just don't think it is even worth the slightest risk of running into problems especially if it means that you have to get back onto an airplane. . . .

These are my thoughts exactly! I have risked driving into Canada and back, but there the worst case scenario is I turn the car around and am delayed. If your flying into another country I just don't think it's worth the risk.




By the way, I sort of argued with poor Stephenie S, and I'm not sure why I did it - I suppose it was for the word "No" in the phrase "no woman wears 4 in heels through the airport".
Despite my getting testy with her about that, the thought behind her comment is more than sound. If you are not used to wearing heels, I sure as hell wouldn't start off by wearing them to the airport. These days, almost any time you take a flight just about anywhere, you can count on being on the move for at least 8 hours, and probably a lot more. The drive to the airport, getting there early to check in, the flight, the connection to another airport where you wait for yet another flight, the wait for your bags, the trip to the rental car, the trip from the rental car to your hotel. All of these things add up to a long day with a good bit of it on your feet. If your not used to wearing heels for a long period, I sure wouldn't start on your journey. Another thing I've learned is that even if you ARE used to wearing heels, I wouldn't wear a new pair until you have had the chance to wear them a while and be sure that they are going to be comfortable enough for you. Once you get through security and are in the system is a very bad time to realize, "Damn, these shoes HURT!"

So I guess her flight should have taken place by now. I wonder how it turned out? :D

[Natasha TG]

Hi girls, I am sure you are all curious about my 33hr trip from Toronto/Vancouver/Sydney then finally onto my last destination - Melbourne.

The trip was amazing. I travelled as Natasha the whole time. not once did I get hassled, and a couple of girls said i look amazing. all Securities was straight through, and I was selected for an explosives test and pat down (thank goodness I was tucked). i had many interactions with people on the plane, with air stewards and stewardess in the galley many times.

I did have my first laser hair removal session just before I flew, although I had complications, my skin got back to normal about 95% and I had virtually no hair on my face, so stubble was not an issue.

wearing high heels for that period - no problem. Wearing skirt and silky hold-ups, no problem. Wig mishaps... none! makeup on the seat headrest - none. I had very minimal makeup (no facial hair etc). Being tucked for this period – no problem. It probably helped that I was almost 100% Natasha for 1.5wks before flying out, and all that going out had helped too.

Overal experience... priceless.

Thank you to all you girls that have been an inspiration to me including the lovely TXKimberly for her travel experiences - the title of my post is a tribute to you my girl!...Nothing happened.

Also a big thank you to MJ for daring me to go as Natasha. I was just thinking about it before she planted this idea in my head for real.. thanks again sis.

It was a long flight out, but ended up becoming so much fun and increased the length of my vacation fun... now.. How do I convince my wife to allow me to fly back with her as Natasha? :daydreaming:

One scary thing is that Once I switched back to my guy mode it was a huge mental shock...it's definitely making me think long and hard about going full time:straightface:

I will create a posting in the out-and about section for more detailed accounts of what happened and pics... so you will have to read all about my fun interactions there. :hugs:

[TxKimberly]

Hi girls, I am sure you are all curious about my 33hr trip from Toronto/Vancouver/Sydney then finally onto my last destination - Melbourne.

The trip was amazing. I travelled as Natasha the whole time. not once did I get hassled, and a couple of girls said i look amazing. all Securities was straight through, and I was selected for an explosives test and pat down (thank goodness I was tucked). i had many interactions with people on the plane, with air stewards and stewardess in the galley many times.

I did have my first laser hair removal session just before I flew, although I had complications, my skin got back to normal about 95% and I had virtually no hair on my face, so stubble was not an issue.

wearing high heels for that period - no problem. Wearing skirt and silky hold-ups, no problem. Wig mishaps... none! makeup on the seat headrest - none. I had very minimal makeup (no facial hair etc). Being tucked for this period – no problem. It probably helped that I was almost 100% Natasha for 1.5wks before flying out, and all that going out had helped too.

Overal experience... priceless.

Thank you to all you girls that have been an inspiration to me including the lovely TXKimberly for her travel experiences - the title of my post is a tribute to you my girl!...Nothing happened.

Also a big thank you to MJ for daring me to go as Natasha. I was just thinking about it before she planted this idea in my head for real.. thanks again sis.

It was a long flight out, but ended up becoming so much fun and increased the length of my vacation fun... now.. How do I convince my wife to allow me to fly back with her as Natasha? :daydreaming:

One scary thing is that Once I switched back to my guy mode it was a huge mental shock...it's definitely making me think long and hard about going full time:straightface:

I will create a posting in the out-and about section for more detailed accounts of what happened and pics... so you will have to read all about my fun interactions there. :hugs:



Yay! Girl you have just proven that you are even braver than I am because I wouldn't have had the courage to go international. Too many risks with consequences too high. Congrats to you and welcome to the Flying Girls Club. LOL
Can't wait to hear the entire story!

[TNRobin]

Between you and Kimberly and a few others on here you're making me feel like a real underachiever.

If I have to see a shrink to resolve my inferiority complex I know who to send the bill to!:D

[Natasha TG]

Hi all, you here a sample pic of me... all the good ones will be on the out-and-about posting:heehee::heehee:

Ah thanks Kimberly, you was an inspiration to me to do this after seeing your pics...not too sure about being brave though... it was more like being at peace with myself and feeling so much more comfortable as Natasha.

Sorry helen if I have increased your inferiority complex...don't worry, please send the bill to Kimberly...after all it was her fault I did this:hugs:

[tinalynn]

Nice, Natasha!! Glad you had fun! I've travelled quite a bit myself internationally - including to Canberra (via LA/Sydney) a couple of times. Mostly to Heathrow... While I've always liked the idea of flying dressed, I would only do it domestically. The flight from DC to Sydney is just too long for me... :) Good for you, though! I'm glad you had a good time...

[TxKimberly]

Hi all, you here a sample pic of me...

You look wonderful!




. . . Sorry helen if I have increased your inferiority complex...don't worry, please send the bill to Kimberly...after all it was her fault I did this:hugs:

Like hell! If we are gonna use that logic you may as well send the bill to Karen Hutton who got me started on the whole traveling thing!

[Kaitlyn Michele]

you look great!
especially considering how long a day that must've been!

Kate

[MJ]

glad you made it sis :hugs:. you look amazing i was getting worried with no word from you. enjoy your stay have fun, bring me something :hugs:

[HannahF6]

Those photos look absolutely fabulous, i"ve spent many hours in that very lounge. Sounds like you had an absolutely super time.

Hannah

[julie w]

As a frequent international traveller including Australia ,Flying on a domestic
flight is one thing international is another ,at most airports the airline employ people to check passports and visas , the reason is if the airline
flys you to a destination and you don't have the proper documents to enter
the airline gets a big fine and has to fly you back , so expect extra attention
I love to go out CD but travelling dressed would be to stressful for me

[darla_g]

agree with Kimberly , sounds like it went well.

still not for me i think

[DianeDeBris]

Hi Natasha -- like so many others, I've followed your adventure with enormous interest -- seeing these photos, my take is that you can go anywhere you want, anytime, and be right at home -- absolutely beautiful! And I think the most perfect, and most feminine, aspect of your appearance is the big smile and self-confidence, which is one of those lessons I keep trying over and over to learn and internalize -- you are truly an inspiration!!
Hugs -- Diane

[LisaMallon]

I caught up with Natasha here in Melbourne for a short while and she is even more lovely in the flesh than she is in her pictures.

And an absolutely lovely person as well.

Sadly we've got a relative staying with us so I was in drab :sad: , so I let the side down.

Next time you're here in Melbourne we'll do it properly :)

Have a great rest of the holidays and let us know how it went at Ayres Rock, and the rest of your trip.

LOL.