Flying Pretty

[kellieanne85]

I am planning on flying pretty for the first time and wanted to know what to expect from TSA agents, checking in.. etc. I kind of nervous but I am looking forward to moving to flying as Kellie

[NathalieX66]

Just show your id to the TSA agent, and go. Don't worry about the gender marker. TSA is pretty experienced with this kind of thing. ....at least the ones at the big city airports are.
Wear flip-flips or footwear that is easy to take off when going through the metal detectors.

I had no problem a couple of weeks ago between Baltimore and Atlanta.

[Robynts]

When I flew pretty from Houston to Louisville, the Houston TSA agents, in particular one "older" gal were outstanding and treated me with dignity and even a little bit of humor (that I instigated). Go for it. It is an experience you will never forget and will want to do again.

Robyn

[sandra-leigh]

Do be aware that if you are wearing a bra with metal in it, then you might get hand-wanded or asked to use the body scanner. If you are wearing forms then you might get the body pat to ensure that you are not hiding something in your bust. These are both possibilities, and some of the members have experienced them. But they might also might do nothing.

TSA has specific instructions to its agents and contractors on dealing with breast prothesis, so although forms might be noticed, you are quite unlikely to be hassled about them once they figure out what they are. Experiences may differ in small towns.

Flying internally in Canada, the most I have felt "picked on" was that one of the agents seemed to be trying to provoke me to talk so as to confirm that my voice was not female, and it felt at the time to be a bit "Hah! I caught you!".

[Lorileah]

This comes up all the time here. Here is TSA's official version http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/transgender-travelers

Also search TxKimberly here she has flown all over the US

[GondorRachel]

I went on a cruise en femme earlier this year (and plan on repeating next year), went through airport security both ways fully dressed, even went through the backscatter machine. No issues other than a quick touch on the back (by a female agent :D) after a flag popped up. If you treat the line like you would in drab, you shouldn't have any trouble. Wear shoes you can remove easily; be aware that you will be walking without shoes for about 10-15 feet and cute socks or freshly painted toes are always awesome.

Try to avoid loose fitting clothes, but that's just general fashion advice. ;) You will be nervous at first...but like any excursion, once you are out of the car and in public, you realize that nobody is going to try anything (especially with the level of security at an airport) and you have every right to dress however you want. To make things easier on the agent checking IDs to make sure you are you, don't go too strong with the makeup, especially the contouring of your face until after the security line, then pop into the ladies and fix it up (or use the family restroom if you are uneasy about using the ladies - whole separate thread for this).

[Beverley Sims]

I have never flown pretty as most of my flights are international.
Maybe one day from Hawaii to LA, that is my only internal flight these days.
I prefer not to add any complications to my travel arrangements.
The TSA seems quite open and tolerant about it though.

[Paulette]

I have flown wearing all female clothing including bra and panties but with a face full of hair (I fly to Phoenix to Senza Pelo Med spa for electrolysis). The TSA saw my bra and wanted to pat me down in that area. They asked my name and when I used my female name a woman TSA did the pat down. My ticket and ID were in my male name but not a word was said and the agent said have a nice flight miss. As my own breasts have been growing due to HRT I have had a pat down by a male when I was mostly dressed in drab. I loved the look on his face when he realized that I had boobs (all be it small ones but just the same they are boobs).

[Val Tan]

I flew while underdressed, and my bra was picked up by the body scanner. The male TSA agent did a pat down, felt my bra strap, and asked if I was wearing a girdle. I said yes, he continued and then sent me on my way.

[Michelle (Oz)]

My frequent experience is in Australia and not the US. Staff that deal with the public be they TSA, flight crews or hotels are all very aware and trained in dealing with difference. We are just another version. I have never had a bad experience. In fact some staff are especially friendly when travelling pretty.

Just sit back and enjoy.

[Rhonda Darling]

This comes up all the time here. Here is TSA's official version http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/transgender-travelers

Also search TxKimberly here she has flown all over the US

As Lorileah mentioned, Kim has set the gold standard for those of us who want to "fly pretty". Her August 7, 2012, blog summarized all she has learned over the years. Find it here: http://kimberlyhuddle.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-to-fly-pretty.html

Kim's blog through the years has great insights, wisdom, whim, and touching personal revelations -- I highly recommend it to all. Her advice gave me the knowledge and bolstered my courage so that my first time flying I was relatively fearless, not fearful. Also, be sure to read the recommended TSA page about transgendered flying. I printed it and had it with me just in case, although I didn't need it going to and from Florida from Washington, D.C.

(Additional thought -- I love the Marriott hotel chain. They have a specific policy about LGBT and actually have a part of their website that welcome the LGBT world to Marriott, explains that they have a very open and progressively trained staff to accommodate us, and it has proven out for this gal. I even got a hand written note from the CEO, Bill Marriott, after writing and explaining my initial fears, and later my flawless experience with Marriott staff.)

HAVE FUN FLYING. My best advice is try to blend in as best as possible and be every bit the lady you are. People have sufficiently distorted views of us in general, something most of us are trying to change by just being out and about in spreading normalcy.

Regards,

Rhonda

[SarahSerene]

Thanks Rhonda for that edit - I stay at Marriott's all the time but have never checked in en femme. It's good to know I shouldn't have to worry about that experience when it happens.

[marny]

flown many times partly dressed. no wire and underwire bra. been put through the all the scans. never had a problem. knock on wood. going to vegas this weekend.

[kellieanne85]

Update. My flight to the west coast was filled with highs and exciting and nervous moments. Standing in the security line which was a mile long.... thinking everyone was watching me.... then not caring. Going through the screeners and getting patted down while looking down at my stocking covered feet and pretty colored toes. The long and did I mention long walk in 4 inch heels to the plane, to my rental car and hotel when I landed. My feet were killing me. Sitting next to the window on the plan when a woman sitting next to me asked me where I got my pretty necklace. OMG I luved that. Getting my rental car and handing over my male driver license and seeing the smile on the rental agent. Checking into my hotel.... with the desk check in woman welcoming me to the hotel. It was a total rush for 7 hours..... and I look forward to doing it again. The pic is me on the plane

[Phydelia]

Hard to believe... i'm sure they'd ship me off to Guantanamo post-haste if i tried that!!! Surely 2 lbs of fake boobie is more threatening to the plutocracy than 4 oz. of conditioner?

[Maria in heels]

Kellie Anne....you look great! Wonderful to hear your story about your flight, and congrats!

[Marcelle]

Hi Kellie Anne,

Congratulation, it sounds like you had a great time. I hope some day to brave flying pretty on a business trip - truly an inspiring story.

Hugs

Isha

[Michelle (Oz)]

Another great flying pretty experience ... thanks Kellie Anne. I could follow all your steps (except in flats!!) with a smile.

[Rhonda Darling]

Kellie Anne:

Glad you first flying pretty experience went well. Forgot to mention "don't wear killer heels -- the name is your clue." Now that you've done it once, you'll want to go again. Do it. We need the world to see that we're not the caricature that the media often cast us as - we're people who deserve the same courtesy and respect as is due everyone else.

Question: did you carry an escape change of clothes, or were you "all in" for the duration of the flight? I prefer the latter - it keeps me on my best game the whole while.

One little additional note. If your guy beard is fast growing, plan accordingly in case of delayed or missed flights. You pass well, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to have a 5:00 shadow pushing through your foundation and causing embarrassment. Most everything else will be easy to deal with.

Congrats on your success.
Rhonda

[Roberta Marie]

Hard to believe... i'm sure they'd ship me off to Guantanamo post-haste if i tried that!!! Surely 2 lbs of fake boobie is more threatening to the plutocracy than 4 oz. of conditioner?

The last time I flew, I presented "in between" genders. I was in girl jeans, a woman's polo top, some cute flats, and I had my forms in my bra. However, I had no makeup, and my beard shadow was prominent, and although my long hair was tied back in a ponytail, it is thining in front and on top. Going through TSA was a breeze, there were no problems As has been mentioned, TSA has very specific guidelines regardig their dealings with transgenders, and on what to do when they encounter prostetics (breast forms). From what I read, there is the potential for more issues when forms are carried in carry on luggage than there are if they are worn.

I picked up on this thread because I'm planning on flying completely en femme to Chicago in January for the Gay Christian Network national confrence.

Kellie, I'm glad to hear that your first flight was so successful.

[AlyssaS]

I'm not at all passable --- my beard shadow would show through in 1-2 hours. I've thought about flying "in-between" --- like Roberta above. Am I better off putting small forms in the carry-on to be added later, or just wearing them through the checkpoint?

[Sophie Yang]

Congratulations! The first one is the hardest.

I fly, on average, four times a month. Never had an issue with TSA. I suspect at the larger airports having someone fly pretty is a non-event for the TSA staff. They may even like the change in their routine. Just give them legal ID that matches the name on the ticket and you should be good. Giver yourself plenty of time.

Kelly nailed it about thee long lines. But with the summer travel over, the planes are still packed, but the lines seem to be shorter. Cannot wait for the holiday travelers.


IAm I better off putting small forms in the carry-on to be added later, or just wearing them through the checkpoint?

I travel light and rarely check luggage. Before flying pretty, I would just throw my bosom buddies into the roller bag. I only recall one inspection. I actually had two sets in my bag. They may have been the only things in my bag. The agent asked me what I had. I just smiled and said some breasts................ forms. He opened my roller bag, opened one of the boxes and said “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, yes you do.” Smiled, closed the box, zipped the bag back up and said, "you are good to go. Have a good trip." Smiled again and said, "you have a nice day." It was pretty humorous.

[AllieSF]

Welcome to the Flying Pretty Club. I joined the club about 3 years ago going round trip to and from Las Vegas. I was well worth the preparation. So much fun and firsts for me on that trip.

[NathalieX66]

KelliAnne, thanks for sharing! Though I don't think I could ever do it in 4 inch heels......mainly because I prefer to be comfortable. Though you WILL see my pretty colored toes. :battingeyelashes:
Yes, you're right. Nobody cares. TSA agents generally won't bother much. When I flew, they seemed to focus on my carry-on bag when it was going through the scanner.

[karanne]

The closest I've come to official interest is when I was flying out of Portland, OR. A TSA agent asked about a lock on my suitcase, and asked me "Would you open it, please, ma'am?"

I said, "Sure, but it's a TSA padlock on there. I got it at Wal-Mart." I started to drag it to a table, he looked, then said, "Never mind, ma'am. Have a nice flight." Which I did.
~Lady K.~

[Michelle (Oz)]

I travel light and rarely check luggage. Before flying pretty, I would just throw my bosom buddies into the roller bag.
Wow Sophie, how do you manage to travel so lightly? I check two bags into luggage (90% for femme and 10% for homme - he's a bit greedy) and have to watch the weight. Just don't know what I might want to wear.

[Sophie Yang]

I have full closets at both home and my destination locations.

[CarlaWestin]

On a recent flight back east, the TSA agent at McCarran (LV,NV) politely told me she had to check inside my carry-on. She was smiling and very polite. I looked at the monitor at the obvious image and asked, "Ya think those might be breast forms?", as it was obviously displayed along with outlines of bras. She said, "No Hon', it's not the boobies, it's this bag of cables and stuff." Junk for the tablet, camera and phone. Being Vegas and assuming I was in one of the shows, she asked where I worked. I told her my occupation which is far from femertainer and she was mildly surprised. Once past TSA, I changed into more fem attire for the flight. On the return trip the TSA (DCA) revealed boobies, bras and some great new stiletto heel ankle boots. The agent opened the carry-on and went all over the breast-forms with the explosive sniffer wand. Real overkill and I could see she was smiling. Once past TSA there I changed to fem. It was certainly nice maneuvering the entire length of the airport in Detroit in heels to get to the connecting flight back to Las Vegas. One of the highlights of the trip was that I seemed to be the only one interested in the indoor pool. I found a nice one piece on mark down at Sears for $4.99 and went for a nice swim with forms every morning.

[DebbieL]

The key rule is not to try and be deceptive in any way. If you are outwardly presenting as a woman, you will find that nearly everyone will treate you as one. Dress sensibly - not like you were clubbing, but like a real woman would when flying on an airplane. The rule is "dress to blend". I usually pack for both Debbie and Rex, and check the luggage. I keep a pair of yoga pants and a knit blouse in the carry-on. I also put all the make-up, creams, and shampoo in a clear back in the suitcase, usually at the bottom so it can be seen as soon as the case is opened.

If you present as female, then the person doing the pat-down will also be female. If possible go through the Image scanner, since that will provide the best view to TSA. They usually won't want to check breast form if you are wearing them, as long as you let them know you are wearing them. Flying pretty isn't as rare as you might think, and there are often others flying pretty, you just don't notice them.

The only time I have even had a problem with the TSA was when the actual image was shown on the scanner. The guy from TSA noticed that I didn't have testes and actually tried to grope me to find them, but that was in Rex Mode. If I had been flying pretty, a woman would have done the pat down and would have been less likely to sexually assault me to satisfy their curiousity. Because of this type of abuse, the images are now piped to a different room where the image is viewed and spots to be investigated are tagged on a simple outline figure.

I usually get checked if I'm wearing jewelry. I can leave my ring on, but I usually don't wear the watch or necklace through the machine.

For me, my favorite experience with TSA was when I went to the ID checker, and he looked at my (old) driver's license, looked and me and did a triple-take. Then he said "There's no way you're a guy". I smiled big and he realized I was flattered, to say the least.

[Michelle (Oz)]

I have full closets at both home and my destination locations.
Now I'm jealous :eek: but half the fun is preparing and selecting clothes and shoes to take. Was that convincing?

[jjjjohanne]

My opinion about flying is: TSA is not to be concerned about. However, you will wait in long zig-zagging lines and be seen over and over by the same people. You will walk a lot. You will pass a few thousand people before you get to your gate. You are going to have to sit by someone for a long time. But the TSA, a breeze. You'd a thought I was their hundredth CD in the past hour...