Traveling abroad

[TamT]

I have to take a short business trip to another country and I'm thinking about taking the flight while in feminine mode, at least on the return trip.

Some years ago I did a similar trip using female jeans and a blouse, wearing lingerie with a small padding in bra, but that was all. No problems at all.

This time I'm tempted to arrive at the airport wearing makeup, a wig and accessories, and probably a dress!

Could this be possible? Could I get into trouble at customs or immigration? I will be traveling with my own passport and obviously my photo will not fit.

Any advice?

[docrobbysherry]

It may help to list the countries, Tam? I would suggest u NOT travel dressed that way to authoritatian nations!:thumbsdn:

[TamT]

It's just between countries in South America and Central America. As someone said, "banana countries" :)

[Sometimes Steffi]

I don't know about the policy in banana countries, but in some places, what you are proposing is almost punishable by death. If something happened to me travelling pretty in the US, I'd have resources to get out of jail. In a foreign country, I'd be at the mercy of the State Department.

I always have concerns, even locally, being stopped by the police for, say DWI. My daughter was booked on DWI and you get to stay in jail overnight, until you sober up. We were her one phone call, but we couldn't break her out overnight. She was released the next morning and she had to retrieve her car from the towing lot. Lets just say that there was a charge for the towing service.

If I were arrested for DWI, neither the men's or the women's cell would be safe for me.

[Helen_Highwater]

In the UK the Foreign Office gives advice to travellers as to what sort of restrictions/concerns there are regarding health, social or religious norms, a general risk assessment of an country.

I'm sure your counterpart in government would offer the same. Better to play safe as certain South American countries have levels of political unrest/conflict as well as the risk of kidnap by organised drug gangs.

If it were Europe then I'd say go for it but South America I'd be a little more cautious.

[docrobbysherry]

Our State Dept. in the USA issues similar warnings, Helen. Altho, not specific advice for trans!:battingeyelashes:

I concur with your advice on Central and S. America. Some very restrictive, backward regimes down there!:doh:

[Philipa Jane]

Due to my status now there are limited option of where I can transit through.
Dubai is no longer and option nor is Qatar. Both of these airlines off good value for money on long haul flights.
My best choice now is a non stop flight to the UK.
As stated before there are some countries where is is illegal to dress or impersonate a woman, with very harsh penalties if caught.

[@tammileetilliso]

If you come or return from Brazil dressed as a woman and with a male passport, you will have problems with the police at customs.

[Erin Lafleur]

I'm not sure that altering your appearance in a very security intensive environment is worth the risk. The rationalization for doing so is irrelevant imo. Why subject yourself to a potentially unpleasant situation by inviting scrutiny that at best, is unlikely to be comfortable?
I travel extensively and anything that supports the difficult task of ensuring the security of myself and loved ones far surpasses anyone's need to test that process by "flying pretty."
I fully support our freedom to dress as we like in the great outdoors (shopping, dining, movies and plays... almost anything really) but my support ends at the airport doors.
I view it as frivolous, unnecessary and selfish.
Sorry for my blunt opinion...

[Shelly Preston]

I will be honest if you don't know with 100 % certainty is is going to be safe then don't take the chance.

Why take the risk.

[Robyn n TN]

Tam, I will tell you as someone who has gone through US Customs looking different from my passport, that they are very well trained to handle the difference in looks. Both times I have gone through Customs, both coming off of a cruise, the facial recognition system did not recognize me so I had to visit the agents. In both cases they were very professional and it was no problem. As far as other countries I agree that Central or South American countries would be more risky. From what I have heard most European countries have seen it all so it shouldn't be a problem. But only you can determine if something is worth the risk.. Be safe

[TamT]

Thank you all for the advices.

Some years ago, I flew for business to Brazil using female pants and a blouse, with lingerie and discrete fills. I had no problems at all, except at the return when I went trough the dutyfree, a guy from another country which I (in male mode) met during the event recognized me and said hi. I apologized because I was late and then run to my gate.

I just wanted to repeat that flying experience, but in the next step. Now it seems that I must forget the wig and makeup.

[TamT]

UPDATE: I did it!!!

I packed only female clothes and travelled using female straight jeans, blouse, sweater and jeans jacket, with a bit of light makeup (eyeshadow, lipstick and transparent nail hardener) and accessories (female watch, rings and necklace).

During the event, I used a high waist slim fit jeans, and also used a beige nail varnish. The accesories were always with me, but I changed some of them according to the outfit.

For external or outside group activities, I went back to the straight jeans and picked a different v-neck blouse every time, sometimes a plain color and sometimes with a flowered pattern.

The last day, after the end of the event, I went to the pool using a single piece swimsuit that could hold the forms, with grape red varnish in my 20 nails, some makeup, glued eyelashes, a wig and accesories including clipped ear rings. Of course, I had to shave my legs (my chest has been shaved for some time). That was the most relaxing evening I have had in years.

I didn't step back and decided to return to home in femme mode. As a test, I weared a short shirt-like dress and went to the breakfast early in the morning. I felt OK, so I returned to my room, packed everything else, did the check out, went to the airport, flew back to my country and took public transportation up to my home. People was kind everywhere...

Of course I was wearing lingerie, cup C forms and hip pads all the time, except at the shower.

I just wanted to share this, but no pictures... sorry! I know it was risky, but I used some of the info available at the Wikipedia about LGBT rights by country or territory (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_by_country_or_territory).

[Marketa]

Thanks for the update, Tam.

I'm happy it went so great and that you obviously enjoyed the whole event to the fullest :)

[bridget thronton]

Glad you had no problems during your travels

[Julie Frisky]

I am so pleased it went well, you are so brave, I'm nervous traveling to those countries in male mode so well done you.

Julie xx

[siva]

Glad all went smooth

[Sometimes Steffi]

I will be honest if you don't know with 100 % certainty is is going to be safe then don't take the chance.

Why take the risk.


I'd say 110%. There's always the possibility that some airline agent or customs official my decide to harass you just for the fun of it.

There's a semi reality show about smuggling, where anyone who arouses suspicion is culled from the herd and taken to the interrogation room. The foreign DEA is not there for your comfort, and you're it a private holding room. Could be bad consequences.

I think the show is entitled, "To catch a smuggler". One might suspect that your breast forms contain drugs and "require" an invasive "test".