TSA and touching

[harley47]

I wonder what others know about the limits of TSA patting down,etc? I have been wearing a bralet when I fly to avoid the bra clasp harassment I experienced a while back. Darn 'X ray machine' flagged me again and I was asked to step aside, have a gentle back pat--wonder if it would ever include a chest patting!

[RADER]

That is why I will stay off the air planes, Car or Train for me. Me and Grandma
are way to old for strip searches, and have to much mettle in us.
Rader

[sissystephanie]

Because of a pacemaker and an artificial shoulder I cannot go thru X-ray machines, so I always get a patdown. I have worn a bra for most of my life, and if the TSA person asks me about it I just tell them I wear it on doctors orders. Never have had a problem!!

[Raychel]

A while back I flew from Orlando to Boston.
I carry a CPAP machine for my breathing when I sleep.
The TSA Agents were absolutely obnoxious.
They treated my like a common criminal.

That was the last time I will ever fly and the last dollar they will ever get from me.
There is NO WAY IN HE!! that I will go thru that again.
I have never been so embarrased in my life.

I could not imagine what it would be like going thru with my machine and dressed up like a girl.
They would probably call the swat team on me.

[Angela Campbell]

I avoid flying as much as possible. Unfortunately sometimes I have to. When I do I am in male mode and all the Ellen stuff goes in checked baggage. I am sad we have let this happen to our society, and even more sad that it is going to get much worse.

[Rogina B]

I view it differently...you own it...dress as you want,and just accept what comes with it. Some of us that fly as women,get the full treatment automatically...so what?If nothing becomes of it and you don't miss your flight,what's the big deal?

[Kate Simmons]

I dunno but if a TSA agent ever touched me where they should not, I'd probably wind up in the slammer or dead as they would be on the floor.:)

[Joanie_Shakti]

A while back I flew from Orlando to Boston.
I carry a CPAP machine for my breathing when I sleep.
The TSA Agents were absolutely obnoxious.
They treated my like a common criminal.

That was the last time I will ever fly and the last dollar they will ever get from me.
There is NO WAY IN HE!! that I will go thru that again.
I have never been so embarrased in my life.

I could not imagine what it would be like going thru with my machine and dressed up like a girl.
They would probably call the swat team on me.

I need to keep most of my thoughts to myself as I'm afraid of being too political. But I use a CPAP machine too and ever before the TSA came on scene, I was afraid of having to fly with it. And I've heard horror stories of them being disassembled when packed in checked luggage.

Supposedly, they are exempt from being counted as part of your carry on limit due to being a medical device, but I have my suspicions in this "modern" age. And what do you do about distilled water for the humidifier with the ban on liquids?

Back to the OP, I've never been in public dressed, but would imagine it would be a horror to go through these control freaks' gauntlets dressed. I would even hesitate to wear panties while flying. And what about breast forms? I would imagine if gel soles in your shoes aren't allowed, that they would suspect you of trying to smuggle plastique explosives on board or something.

Like Raychel, though I used to love to fly, I have no desire to do so unless things change for the better. Unfortunately, the TSA will soon be at train and bus stations and shopping malls too if they get their way.

[Cheryl T]

My bra would be the least of it. I've go so much metal in me that I'd trigger all the alarms without worrying about my underwear.

[Lorileah]

It would be beyond their allowed duties. They can take you to a private area and have you expose things. Also they would (should) use the back of their hand. Since wearing prostheses are not banned this should go no further than showing (not removing) or explaining the forms. You have the choice of having a male or female TSA agent pat you down.

Although I don't like the idea, it is not something new to the airport and you should either not dress in a manner where you feel you may be in that situation (if you are TS you should carry your letter) OR expect that somewhere along the either the machine or the person ill see something they need to check deeper. You pays your money you plays the game.

BTW if you believe you are treated badly, you can file a formal complaint. It isn't like they cannot find someone else to replace the agent.

[Catherine Hopkins]

I certainly know many girls who have travelled by air, to and from the USA, internally and in Europe.

The success stories far outweigh the horror stories. For the most part the worst that happens is an, 'Excuse me madam, do you have your husband's passport by mistake.'

That said, it's not for the feint of heart as one CAN always be pulled aside for a search. Just remember that you have the RIGHT for anything beyond a simple patdown to be conducted in private.

[Angela Campbell]

You have the choice of having a male or female TSA agent pat you down.

I would be ok with a female patting me down....I would even go through the security twice!

[LadyPilot]

Our freedoms have been reduced because of some very radical actions. I did not nor do not think that a new angency (TSA) needed to be created, however, these people all have a job to do. I don't really care who pats me down if they feel they have to do so. If I am underdressed (which I will be) that was my choice and you know the old saying "if you play with fire you might get burned", the TSA agent may be surprised by what is found, then again, maybe not. Nonetheless, they will not make you late for your flight. LP

[Miriam-J]

I've flown about once a month for nearly 20 years now to a wide range of destinations. Before TSA there was a wide range of screening practices across the country, with the harshest actually at my small home town airport. Since TSA got their policies fully established (a couple years after they actually took over), I've been gratified to see that the practices are at least reasonably consistent from place to place, and that they have published policies that I can reference if I think they're stepping over the line.

I've never traveled in gal mode (yet), but have carried various garments and forms with me as I go through security (I rarely check luggage). I couldn't conceive of doing so in the pre-TSA days with our harsh local security, but have no problem with it now. While there are a few outliers that don't seem to get the TSA policies, a supervisor whol does know the rules is just a short call away if I need it.

Miriam

[harley47]

thanks for all the input. I won't wear my traditional bra when flying-stick to the Bali bralet. I guess a person just has to accept the back rub-guess the back of the hand isn't as 'intrusive' as the front (??)
flying isn't a sophisiticated way of travel as it once was--now just getting from A to B quickly and as inexpensively as possible. I suspect the TSA staff has to struggle to keep up their morale as surely they must sense the dissatisfaction of the public. probably lots of drinking off duty.

[Princess29]

I do the equivalent of what the TSA do in Australia and if I had a dollar for every time I've been abused and insulted while simply doing my job, I could retire. These are not little word, they are full blown "f words" and other words that I cannot type here. The general public are no angels. We try to be as accommodating as we can within the rules but at the end of the day, we don't set the policies that we have to enforce, we just have to enforce them.
CPAP machines.....we see 10-20 a day and there never had been a problem with them coming through our screening points. They just go straight through

[prw230]

I flew recently wearing a bra, (among other things). I had to go through one of the full body scanners. I was asked to step aside & the TSA agent said he had to touch me to check something the scanner flagged.
I could see a monitor near the machine & it had an outline of a body (generic) with little dots on it everywhere there was a clasp or adjuster on my bra.
The TSA agent rubbed the strap on my shoulder & asked "what are you wearing under your shirt". I told him I was wearing a bra. He told me he needed to follow the strap all the way around "for continuity". He followed the shoulder straps & band across the back. He never touched the cups. He used the back of his hand.
When he was satisfied it was indeed a bra, I was led over to another TSA agent where my hands were wiped & checked for explosive residue. I passed!

I wasn't embarrassed, they were very professional, efficient & I was on my way. I doubt anyone around even figured out what was going on. Just another guy being frisked by TSA.

Just another day at airport security.

[Angela Campbell]

I flew recently wearing a bra, (among other things). I had to go through one of the full body scanners. I was asked to step aside & the TSA agent said he had to touch me to check something the scanner flagged.
I could see a monitor near the machine & it had an outline of a body (generic) with little dots on it everywhere there was a clasp or adjuster on my bra.
The TSA agent rubbed the strap on my shoulder & asked "what are you wearing under your shirt". I told him I was wearing a bra. He told me he needed to follow the strap all the way around "for continuity". He followed the shoulder straps & band across the back. He never touched the cups. He used the back of his hand.
When he was satisfied it was indeed a bra, I was led over to another TSA agent where my hands were wiped & checked for explosive residue. I passed!

I wasn't embarrassed, they were very professional, efficient & I was on my way. I doubt anyone around even figured out what was going on. Just another guy being frisked by TSA.

Just another day at airport security.

Well I feel so much safer knowing that any man wearing a bra has one that has "continuity"! I would hate to see the other kind end up on a plane....oh my what would we do! And we all know that any man who wears a bra also handles explosives too.

[Rhonda Darling]

I dunno but if a TSA agent ever touched me where they should not, I'd probably wind up in the slammer or dead as they would be on the floor.:)

Of course, Kate's thoughts on "where they should not" are old school. Now we're raising a generation that will have always experienced being inspected, scanned, frisked, etc. by the ever-present "authorities", and they're taught to submit without a whimper. A couple of more generations and there will be no memory of personal freedom to travel, go to sporting events, ride the train, plane, bus, and subway with out being searched.

We've traded a lot of freedom for an illusion of security.

OTOH, Kimberly Huddle's exploits of traveling en femme are well documented in her blog and she is able to do it generally without being harrassed. There is hope for all of us to be able someday to go about our business w/o being singled out just because of a bra strap or stray silicone boobie.

Rhonda

[Claire Cook]

I wonder what others know about the limits of TSA patting down,etc? I have been wearing a bralet when I fly to avoid the bra clasp harassment I experienced a while back. Darn 'X ray machine' flagged me again and I was asked to step aside, have a gentle back pat--wonder if it would ever include a chest patting!

This has happened to me a number of when flying drab and wearing a bra. As prw30 has said, the agents were always polite and professional (if maybe surprised)-- just a back pat. Sometimes I've been asked if I was wearing a brace!


I would be ok with a female patting me down....I would even go through the security twice!

When I've flown pretty and my hip padding triggers a patdown, I've been patted down by female agents -- again, very professional (and they always have said "Have a nice flight ma'am"). Maybe I'm in the minority, but I'm not the in least embarassed about this, and am perfectly happy to reassure whomever that I am not a security threat.

[harley47]

thanks for the posts. I guess it is just part of life today. hope the device isn't as revealing as in that Leslie Nielson comedy some years back that had a scene with special binoculars that showed a lab tech wearing lovely lingerie under a drab lab coat! But, how exciting can pantyhose be?

[Beverley Sims]

I avoid any potential disasters by not severely under dressing like that.
I am usually flying international.

[Christinedreamer]

I just flew RT from LAX to Raleigh Durham , NC for my dad's funeral. I am currently disabled by a spine condition awaiting fusion surgery so I use a 4 point cane. At LAX, Jet Blue met me with a wheel chair (zero lines to wait in) took me to security where I took off the usual stuff but forgot my belt with a metal buckle. They x-rayed all that and my carry-on and asked me to step into the scanner and raise my arms. I said that would be difficult due to my back. They said "OK, can you step through the metal detector?" I said sure. No alarms and absolutely no pat down. Back in the chair and wheeled to the gate. The return trip was not quite as accommodating but not bad. He only felt my legs and never went into my groin area. I would be bringing heavy duty pain meds on the way out and meds as well as my dad's cremains on the way back, I opted not to take anything femme with me. I figured I already had enough 'target' material for a search.
All this TSA silliness is interesting to watch and they have yet to catch anyone bent on taking over a plane as that is no longer possible.

[Rachel Morley]

I fly international a couple of times a year. I have never "flown pretty" and while I do dress a little on the femme side in boy mode this is the only time I don't wear a bra. My feeling is I have been waiting in that line long enough, the last thing I want is to be taken to one side patted down and it take even longer to get through security.

[Nicole Brown]

This thread is quite timely for me as I just flew from NJ to Oregon last Thursday and was selected for additional screening. After going through their detector I was asked to step aside and a female TSA agent approached me. I was asked to raise my arms and she began patting me down. At all times she was totally processional and only contacted my body with the back of her fingers. She ran her hands up and down my inner and outer thighs as well as between my breasts.

The entire experience add only a minute or two of delay and I was totally surprise and extremely delighted when the TSA agent who patted me down apologized for the delay and told me that I looked lovely. Sought of made my day.....

The TSA has a website which contains an entire page of information on what transgendered people can expect and what their rights are. This extremely informative information can be located at:

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/transgender-travelers

I have gotten into the habit of carrying a printed copy of this page along with my carry letter whenever I fly.

[Jessica86]

BTW if you believe you are treated badly, you can file a formal complaint. It isn't like they cannot find someone else to replace the agent.

But that agent might not be able to feed his/her family now because they were doing their job. I hate formal complaints because a person can always accuse an officer of something, have them fired, and when it's proved they lied, the officer does NOT get their job back. I think if someone accuses an officer, and it is found out they lied, that should be a felony. After all, if an officer lies, isn't that official oppression? A third degree felony?

Ok, aside from that, for TSA. Ahhh...(sigh). Well, all I can say is you can always drive. It isn't a necessary service like health care. You know what to expect before flying. If you know what is going to happen, why step in? I know I have nothing to hide, ever. I have been seen with guns and I'm still relaxed because I know.....I can have them. If there is nothing illegal, they can search wherever they want. Don't care.

[Allison Chaynes]

Well I feel so much safer knowing that any man wearing a bra has one that has "continuity"! I would hate to see the other kind end up on a plane....oh my what would we do! And we all know that any man who wears a bra also handles explosives too.

<--- This gal actually DID used to handle explosives and wears bras :)

On a serious note, I want the ladies' T shirt that says "I got to second base with a TSA Agent!"

[Paulette]

I recently flew to Arizona from California for electrolysis at Senza Pelo in Phoenix. I was dressed in all women's clothing, yoga pants, long sleeve v neck t shirt, bra, panties, thin white ankle socks, and tennis shoes. I had a five day growth of beard on my face, no make up (I was being pick up at the airport and taken directly to the spa for treatment) and no hair piece. As I walked through the scanner raisin my arms above my head I could see that my dark toe nail polish was visible. As I stepped out of the scanner the TSA agent said I must have hit the wrong button. There are two buttons one male and one female. Se then said to show my watch to the other agent which I did and he said have a nice flight flight mam. So here I was being perceived and treated as just another bearded lady flying the friendly skies. As I have posted before when you are getting electrolysis and have to grow the hair on your face out to a length that they can grab you do not feel pretty or very girly. This experience made my day.

[NV Susan]

Flying out of Las Vegas one night in the early 90's {well before 9/11} wearing a underwire bra, I set off the metal detector. A security agent took me aside and ran a hand held wand over me, of course the wire in my bra set that off each time it went over my chest. His reaction......"I don't know what that could be but your OK to go". I always wondered if he knew.....:heehee:

[lingerieLiz]

I was flying twice or more a week. TSA didn't really bother me. They have asked/told me to step aside. One time it didn't take them long to figure that it was a bra since you could see it through the silk blouse I was wearing. It wasn't obvious unless you looked. The other times it was the standard procedures. I have projection without wearing forms so they probably figure it out pretty quick and I wear a lot of silk tops which are pretty easy to feel whats under them.

Weerdest time was several years ago before 911 when I had a cosmetic case to carry on. The TSA gal went through it like it was some strange thing. Then again looking at her and the little town I was in maybe she hadn't.

[Krististeph]

There is some statistic out there to the effect of TSA results:
800,000,000 people checked,
41,000,000 bottles of water thrown out,
12,000 crossdressers discovered,
110 guns found
4 terrorist suspects apprehended.

I do not know the numbers of the titles, actually, but it did point out that there are a hell of a lot more people flying en femme than was thought...

I love it.

I usually put a sheet in my luggage explaining what the breast forms are, and the other tools and electrical devices are that i travel with. I include my name, business, cell#, and even my client info.

The only incident i ever had was coming out of puerto rico- some young girl sees tools in my backpack, and pulls me aside. She starts pulling them out very slowly, one at a time and looks at me every time. After one minute of this, I told her these were allowed tools that I travel with regularly. She does not respond, but keeps doing this pulling out the tools slowly. Another 30 seconds, I told her to get her supervisor. She just looked at me and kept pulling tools out. I told her I was a pilot, i cited some odd FAA reg (that had nothign to do with anything...) and told her to get her supervisor immediately or i would.

2 minutes later I was walking up to my gate. :-)