Michelle_Tokyo
01-26-2011, 08:27 AM
Well I know all you gals can relate to the flying pretty part but why the TSA love? Well when I get all set to go out in public, have my make-up just right and get out of the car at the airport, I start to go into mild panic mode. So I get to the check in counter and those gals are always great but I wonder how genuine they are. I guess I need more positive reinforcement and confidence. Then I get to the TSA (or in my case immigration at Tokyo’s Narita when outbound).
They have absolutely no reason to make me feel good about being overtly feminine, but they do. They call me ma’am. They look at me to see if I am a potential terrorist with no discrimination as to what I am wearing. Then when satisfied I am OK, simply smile and send me on my way as they would any other woman. But this is after having required me to take off the protective blazer or sweater concealing the fact I have a thin blouse on under which my bra is quite visible. They do not care about my stocking feet. They do their job and of all the people at the airport simply treat me like a woman but one they need to see is safe before being allowed to go to the gates.
Seriously ladies, have you ever felt so wonderfully accepted in the gender you are presenting as when having just cleared security? I know it gives me a head full of steam and that carries on right through the trip.
Last Friday I got dressed in a pair of skinny jeans, a pretty little tanktop and sweat jacket and my favorite pink tennis shoes. Make-up on and bag packed I headed to Narita on the train from central Tokyo where I live. In fact I took the picture below on the train on the way to Narita.
I finished check-in with the self check-in machine (which didn’t giggle at me either bless its heart). Off to outbound immigration I went. I walked slowly remembering the mantra to smile and hold shoulders back. Arriving at the pre-registered foreigner line I stood waiting my turn. I was approached by one of the roving immigration officers, a young woman in her early 30’s I would guess. She inquired as to whether I was in fact pre-registered (a bit like the US Global Entry system). I am and told her with a sweet smile and a gentle voice that I was indeed. She said , “OK, and by the way your nail are very pretty.”. I told her thank you very much and that as I was traveling I liked to make a little extra effort to be pretty. She said, “Well you certainly have done a good job, you look very nice”. I do not think she could have lied if paid to do so. She was pure sincerity and sweetness. What a total rush!! I was flying high and we had not even boarded yet.
Onward I went, to the gate and onto the plane and the FA came up to me and said, “ Ms. Michelle_Tokyo, we have your Obento preorder on the list.”. Ms.! That was so cool. Then later one was telling the other that this tray was “hers” referring to me. I was so happy and feeling really accepted.
Fast forward to arrival, easy immigration via Global Entry, and then on to the gate for my P.S. flight from LAX to JFK. I had to clear security again. Getting to the front of one of two lines feeding through to the security area, the TSA agent looked me square in the eyes and waved me over with a casual, “Ma’am, next”. OK, I am feeling very good again. Breezed through security, got to the gate and breezed off into the noontime sky to freezing cold JFK.
A couple of days later and great football and H&H bagel and too much fun for one gal, I reversed the trip and am now back in Tokyo. Happy, feeling really pleased to be able to show myself as a woman and be accepted that way. And as I said, it all starts with the impartial group that monitors the borders. They did not know it but they (in both directions) gave me the little boost of courage that allowed me top Fly Pretty with a smile.
Ladies,, if you have not done it yet or if you have not done it recently, Go For It! Nothing in the world compares to that rush for those of us that cannot love 24/7. Wow.
Big Hugs to one and all,
Michelle
They have absolutely no reason to make me feel good about being overtly feminine, but they do. They call me ma’am. They look at me to see if I am a potential terrorist with no discrimination as to what I am wearing. Then when satisfied I am OK, simply smile and send me on my way as they would any other woman. But this is after having required me to take off the protective blazer or sweater concealing the fact I have a thin blouse on under which my bra is quite visible. They do not care about my stocking feet. They do their job and of all the people at the airport simply treat me like a woman but one they need to see is safe before being allowed to go to the gates.
Seriously ladies, have you ever felt so wonderfully accepted in the gender you are presenting as when having just cleared security? I know it gives me a head full of steam and that carries on right through the trip.
Last Friday I got dressed in a pair of skinny jeans, a pretty little tanktop and sweat jacket and my favorite pink tennis shoes. Make-up on and bag packed I headed to Narita on the train from central Tokyo where I live. In fact I took the picture below on the train on the way to Narita.
I finished check-in with the self check-in machine (which didn’t giggle at me either bless its heart). Off to outbound immigration I went. I walked slowly remembering the mantra to smile and hold shoulders back. Arriving at the pre-registered foreigner line I stood waiting my turn. I was approached by one of the roving immigration officers, a young woman in her early 30’s I would guess. She inquired as to whether I was in fact pre-registered (a bit like the US Global Entry system). I am and told her with a sweet smile and a gentle voice that I was indeed. She said , “OK, and by the way your nail are very pretty.”. I told her thank you very much and that as I was traveling I liked to make a little extra effort to be pretty. She said, “Well you certainly have done a good job, you look very nice”. I do not think she could have lied if paid to do so. She was pure sincerity and sweetness. What a total rush!! I was flying high and we had not even boarded yet.
Onward I went, to the gate and onto the plane and the FA came up to me and said, “ Ms. Michelle_Tokyo, we have your Obento preorder on the list.”. Ms.! That was so cool. Then later one was telling the other that this tray was “hers” referring to me. I was so happy and feeling really accepted.
Fast forward to arrival, easy immigration via Global Entry, and then on to the gate for my P.S. flight from LAX to JFK. I had to clear security again. Getting to the front of one of two lines feeding through to the security area, the TSA agent looked me square in the eyes and waved me over with a casual, “Ma’am, next”. OK, I am feeling very good again. Breezed through security, got to the gate and breezed off into the noontime sky to freezing cold JFK.
A couple of days later and great football and H&H bagel and too much fun for one gal, I reversed the trip and am now back in Tokyo. Happy, feeling really pleased to be able to show myself as a woman and be accepted that way. And as I said, it all starts with the impartial group that monitors the borders. They did not know it but they (in both directions) gave me the little boost of courage that allowed me top Fly Pretty with a smile.
Ladies,, if you have not done it yet or if you have not done it recently, Go For It! Nothing in the world compares to that rush for those of us that cannot love 24/7. Wow.
Big Hugs to one and all,
Michelle