Urg...when did packing and readiness for a business trip get so complicated

[Jennifer-GWN]

I've been a road warrior for a very long time both professionally and personally. Transition has thrown in a whole new dynamic into packing as well as mental readiness.

Last weeks vacation (which had a freelance work aspect to it) revealed a significantly different quantity of "stuff" to pack. Today I'm standing here gazing into the closet thinking about the 2 week trip ahead. Home to see my dad on the way to london, onward to somewhere, then Brussels, Munich, likely Paris and Amsterdam, then back to London.

Packing for business and pleasure, weather, formal and business situations, etc my brain is in a state. Not to mention the hope to do a bit of shopping in country and what that might result.

As much as we all grapple with the challenges of transition from a mental, acceptance, and coming out perspective we can't loose sight of the differences day to day that it brings. Not complaining in the least; I just know I need to develop my own rhythms in this area as well.

These next few weeks represents a pretty big personal challenge beyond the packing aspect as well; a new norm as such simply because travel represents a big aspect of my job.

While I've had numerous local customer visits over the past couple of months here; this trip is both a full on engineering as well as Sr. Representative of my company type trip so expectations of myself are high as well as from the local teams in country.

Ive learned over the past months that expectations of male me were one thing; expectations do change (fact of life) as female on so many levels.

Confidence remains high with additional attention being placed on up front planning on how to most efficiently tackle dynamic travel plans, long days, and hitting the ground running and being "on" for every situation.

Never a dull moment... Jennifer

Here's to surviving this one and dealing with the little speed bumps and learning along the way.

[Debb]

Wow that's quite the trip. Enjoy the packing problems!

You can manage the expectations. I don't doubt that your company chooses to send you places as their representative because they have every confidence in your composure.

[Badtranny]

When it comes to professional attire, I have finally settled on my day to day work clothes. As a dude I wore dark colored slacks, with an oxford type shirt and a dark blazer for a "business casual" look.

After transition I went through many looks and many hundreds of dollars before I finally settled on dark colored slacks, a form fitting shirt (long sleeve t-shirts are perfect in the fall/winter) and a dark colored blazer. I throw a long chain on and maybe some matching earrings and voila, very professional yet still feminine enough that the dudes don't forget who's runnin' the show.

You could pack a weeks worth of slacks and tshirts with one blazer in a single duff.

[Dana44]

Jennifer, I was packing my carry on for a pleasure trip of three days two nights. My SO said how many days? She was packing also. I said, perhaps I should reconsider. Put all my camis back except one. Put my denims skirts and top and a couple shirts. Give me about two outfits. With heals boots and makeup, my foo bag for shaving. wow a girl has to pack a lot. Oh, my watch and a couple necklaces. Yep, I now understand why my women wanted to look good all of the time. When I traveled for business, suits one. shirts two, underwear two and two socks. I pair of boots and my foo bag. Much easier for a man. However, I got everything packed into my carry-on.

[PretzelGirl]

It is an art. Learning some mixing and matching of attire helps. I get killed on all the toiletries, brushes, flatirons, blowdryers..... High maintenance! :D

[Eringirl]

Hey Jenn....yup, that is one thing I am not looking forward to. But one would think that it will get easier with practice?? I too am heading out on a trip this week, but only for 10 days. And because my passport and visa for the area are in male name and photo, I will be travelling in male mode.....for the last time!! And given where I am being sent to in the middle east, not a good idea to bring anything else but male attire...so it is going to be a tough 10 days. But I go in, fix "the problem" and then get the hell out, never to return as my boss knows that this will be my last "deployment" to that area, even if I am the one with the "skill set" to fix the problems.

Safe travels. Enjoy the shopping!!!!

[Michelle789]

I've traveled twice since I transitioned. My first trip was in June to Las Vegas, and Cody and I went there by car. My second trip was to NY/NJ in September to see Cody's family, and was by plane. Both times, I realized how much more complicated packing for a trip is as a woman than it ever was as a man. The reality is that being a woman is more complicated, and we have to worry about more stuff and use more products - makeup, hair care, skin care. Plus the usual stuff that both genders need, like toothpaste, shampoo, soap. Not to mention shaving stuff too. And guess what, when we travel, all this stuff needs to come with us. And packing for a plane trip is even more complicated, because we have to follow the TSA's 3-1-1- rule. Everything must be in 3 oz containers, and we can have as many as will fit into a quart size plastic bag - at least if you're going to carry it on with you. Oh, and don't forget packing when you get to your destination. Repeat process for return trip, or any other destinations you have on your itinerary.

And if you haven't yet changed documentation, you will need a care letter from your therapist in case you're asked for ID and you're presenting as female with ID with male pic, male name, male gender marker. My therapist gave me a care letter before I started my transition, and she gave me an updated one before I traveled to NY/NJ. If you're not familiar with a care letter, it has your preferred name, full legal name, and explains that you are in the process of a gender transition, that you are required to live full-time in your authentic gender role, and that your documentation incongruence isn't fraudulent. This letter really does work, and is something you should use when traveling or if you get pulled over by the cops. You may choose to, at your discretion, to give the letter any time you are asked to show ID.

In spite of the complications of packing for traveling as a woman, and as a transwoman, I really enjoyed both trips. I hope that over time as you travel more and get used to packing everything that you'll get faster and more efficient at packing and unpacking. I'm glad you got to experience traveling as a woman, and this is a good real life experience for anyone who is transitioning, because we're all going to have to travel at some point, be it for work, family, or pleasure.

[Marcelle]

Hi Jennifer,

I hear you. When I went anywhere for work when I was a man it was easy, CADPAT (combats) into a duffle bag, small ablution kit a pair of jeans and a few t-shirts for off duty and PT kit. My last trip for work was not so much different clothes wise CADPAT, jeans, tees, boots and PT kit but the make-up and other toiletries increased my packing. Not to mention I am mortified that I will get to the end of my flight with lost luggage and no make-up to survive the following day. So I have created an emergency (airline carry on friendly) make-up kit and a spare set of clothing just in case. Never had to worry about that as a man.

Sounds like a whirlwind tour with some great places to visit should the opportunity present itself.

Cheers

Marcelle

[Jennifer-GWN]

Packing did get completed and I was pleased with the fact that I wasn't bursting at the seams and well equipped for most situations ahead.

Marcelle; had completely overlooked the carry on essentials piece as I'm so used to checking everything. Since I've never paid any attention to the makeup aspect that women have to contend with at screening again a few minutes thought and I was good. Last trip all that went in checked. With the airlines cracking down on carry on this is a pain as my brief case is substantial (warning never be behind me at screening) + purse makes 3rd item an issue but then again I'm special �� from a status perspective.

Sue; going under the assumption that hair dryers will be a hotel fixture I am taking my curlers as I like the outcome of curlers after a shower and to bed to sleep approach with my hair .... I've been experimenting with that approach for awhile. Flatiron is still an essential and agree I fall into high maintence but efficient space.

Melissa; you hit your comment right. Still finding my style. I've got a closet of things not worn either due to continued weight loss (2x down to size 14/16) and also what I like and what looks good professionally and casually. Interesting how much that has changed over the past 6 months. Look out European shopping when I can spare a minute.

I'm a good traveler and it's a natural act. I think once this trip is over I'll be in decent shape and can adjust accordingly particularly for the rigors of dynamic international travel. Always good to share experiences.

Last frustration and nothing I can do about it for this one is passport remains in old name waiting for new birth certificate to arrive (normal procedural process) but having been flying to the us a bunch to date experience says I'll be fine. New drivers license and credit cards let me function well for now for hotel check ins, etc. This piece hopefully will be in the history books by end of November and not with out more donations to the various agency administration funds.

So with that I head out to the east coast on thursday and off to London on Monday night. No Grizzlies this time but will be carrying the camera as well + trusty iPad.

Thanks all for the feedback and perspective on these seemingly day to day real life trials and tribulations.

Cheers... Jennifer

[Nigella]

To put it into perspective

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