air travel

[groove67]

in june i have to fly for business for first time since i came out fulltime and needles to say all my attire female as gave away my male cloths. i sure many of you have done this but does flying in fem and only having id as a male at this point. has anyone had any problems with this? i am a little nervous. thank you marainne

[Nicole Brown]

Travel within the continental US is no problem for a transgendered individual. I have been traveling as my fem self for a number of years and have never really had a problem. Here is a link to the TSA's website which identifies and describes all issues and concerns for transgendered travelers and offers useful suggestions.

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

Just remember several important things:

1. Always ensure that your name, gender ID and pertinent information on your government ID and boarding pass match each other.

2. Do not wear extremely long or extremely loose fitting clothing, this will prompt extra security searches.

3. Do not wear an underwire bra and support or shapewear which contains metal banding.

4. Be honest with TSA agents and do not try to pass yourself off as a woman, you are a crossdresser or transsexual.

5. If you are seeing a therapist, ask for a travel letter which identifies you as being treated for Gender Dysphoria and carry it with you when you travel.

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the experience...

[RenneB]

This has been chatted about before so I'd check the other threads.... Being nervous isn't a good thing no matter how you're dressed as TSA is moving toward behavior screening and not so much relying on x-rays.

The first screener at most airports wants you to look something like your id photo. So get a passport with you looking as close to how you're going to travel. M or F shouldn't matter after that.

That is unless you're packing a pair of silicone forms, metal corset and other pads... That'll set off the big machine and get you into a closer pat down. Most screeners know the rules but then you always here of the stories...

Confidence seems to rule the day and know your rights and be on your best behavior....

That's what works for me. Either that or pack all of your forms, metal, and pads in check in baggage and go bland.

Renne.....

[groove67]

thank you nicole for this advise. i will get that letter for sure. thank you marrainne

[Rogina B]

Getting the "special treatment" is no big deal! Be prepared to easily answer any questions as well..You will live to tell us all about it afterwards!lol

[groove67]

thank you so much renne, i will only be wearing normal under garments so that should not be ant problem . yes passport taken as i look now owuld be great idea. thank you marrianne

[LSL_Dee]

The only problem I have had traveling was when the wand hit on the underwire of my bra in London. When asked by the grumpy old man "what is this" I showed him my bra strap and I was on my way.

The picture is important as well. Well at least the hair. I get double takes when going through passport control because i have let my hair grow and the passport picture is a short male business cut. I just pull it back off my face, smile (and a wink) and I am usually on my way.

If you do allot of international travel, get the global entry thingy. You go to a Kiosk and do not have to deal with the ICE guys when coming back into the US

[Lisa Gerrie]

Search these forums for posts by Kimberly Huddle. She "travels pretty" and writes (very well) about it.

[melissaK]

Been on HRT and have B cups and my support of choice is a racer back sports bra or ahh bra; but I travel in my natal male gender. And that x-ray machine, the one where you raise your arms, well Sweetie, it doesn't like them and 3 out of 4 times it calls for a hand pat down of my back or shoulder where the strap crosses. Not once has a TSA person asked me a single question after the pat down.

Anyway, Sweetie, even if the TSA person wanted to ask you a question, since you are out full time you should be over the jitters about others knowing your deep dark inner secret because you don't have it anymore. :-) So doing what @Nicole said for item #4 - be honest, should be no problem.

[groove67]

Yes I know that my secert is out everywhere, family, work, parish and friends. I just wanted to know that if there are any pitfalls to this as I try my best so that no one is uncomfortable around me. I realize that I look, dress, feel and act much different than two years ago and this was my first time doing this and do not want to cause any problems. You are right Nicole number four makes sense thanks. Marrianne

[celeste26]

I have a knee replacement with the documentation for it, but I get the third degree regardless of how I am dressed. It always makes the buzzer go off and I always get the pat down or more. No amount of documentation seems to stop the pat downs because of that knee. Point that wand at my knee and even with the huge scars easily visible TSA still seems I need to full treatment.

[Patrice_CD]

I've flown once since I have transitioned and was given a healthy look but allowed to pass even though my DL looks nothing like me. I didn't want to chance things again so I just picked up my travel letter this afternoon.

[EnglishRose]

I've flown since too and put on a guy shirt just to make it simple until I get my name and ID changed legally.

[Kristy_K]

You could get a passport with a gender change on it without having surgery. Check the passport site for instructions..

[Stephanie-L]

I just traveled from DFW to Guadalajara for my FFS. The only issue I had was my passport photo didn't look a thing like me, even before surgery. It only added a few seconds extra screening. I will be getting a letter from my surgeon saying I have had major facial surgery for the trip back. I will be getting new ID eventually, but I don't expect problems.......Stephanie

[kellieanne85]

I just travel to San Fran... and had no issues going through security even though my DL was that of my male side. He recognized the real me in the photo and just sent me on my way since my DL matched my ticket even though I was presenting the real me. I realized that I really didn't care what others thought... and I went on my merry way to the plane. I did get a manual check when I went the xray machine... but that was quick and I again was on my way to the gate. Some pics of mw traveling to San Fran