Packed and ready for Flying Pretty to Vegas. Advice?

[Stephanie Lynne]

Hi all. In 2 weeks, I?ll be heading to Vegas to spend a few days as Stephanie. I?ve set up 1 show, a concert, and reservations at the Top of the World restaurant. I?d love to play some blackjack, too. I?m so excited to finally experience flying pretty. I?ve read many of yall?s experiences flying pretty, but would love some tips on TSA, flying pretty, and being en femme in Vegas from those who have taken this journey before.
Hugs,
Stephanie Lynne

[Suzie Petersen]

Stephanie,

I did both in October, but not on the same trip.

Airline (Delta) check in:
Showed male drivers license, No problem.
TSA:
I was presenting 100% female, showed my male drivers license. No problem.
Carry on Security:
I had too much "bling" on, as in jewelry, so the metal detector kept going off. Walked through 3 times, taking off watch, armband, rings. No problem, just go through 3 times, all smiles.

Other "official' interactions:
Checking out of hotel in girl mode after staying there in mostly male mode: No problem
Filling gas tank on rental car: No problem
Returning rental car at airport: No problem
Walking around at LAX Airport during layover, with heels clicking: No problem
Buying magazine and drink at LAX: No problem
Interacting with gate agent on 2 flights: No problem. Smiles and compliment on my nice business woman outfit.
Interacting with flight crew onboard: No problem
Interacting with family with teenage daughter on one of the flights, incl swapping seats and moving luggage: No problem
Picking up luggage at destination airport, around a lot of people: No problem
Taking an Uber to hotel: No problem
Checking in at hotel, presenting as a woman but with my male ID, No problem
Getting another Uber to different hotel late at night to meet friends: No problem
Spending a long weekend in 100% girl mode at several upscale restaurants, shops, bars: No problem

So .. did I mention I had no problems! At all!
And that was an Atlanta trip with a group of T-girls.
2 weeks later, I did the same think in Vegas with my wife, however, I did not fly in girl mode on that one. Everything else was basically the same, and the overall thing is .... No Problems!

Have fun!

[NatalieMN]

Stephanie, I think you will find it very welcoming in Vegas. At least, I remember seeing a few people out and no one really batted an eye. For Blackjack, I will say the cheapest tables I found were at Treasure Island for $10 a hand. Almost everything under $25 is 6 to 5 (and some $25 tables are too) so just be prepared for that if not already. You might already know that but it wasn't something I thought of. There are plenty of video blackjack options as well. The cheapest for that I found was $3 and they were in a few places.

What concert are you going to, if you don't mind me asking?

I hope you tell us all about it when you get back!

Suzie, thanks for that awesome summary! One of the next biggest steps I want to take is to spend an entire vacation, from home to home, as Natalie. The biggest issues are 1) going through airport security and 2) finding a plausible excuse to not get a ride from family! The former being a bigger thing so knowing your experience has basically shown it to be a non-event is very encouraging. I hope Stephanie experiences the same.

[docrobbysherry]

From my experience u can wear whatever u like anywhere and any time u like in Vegas! The locals have seen it all. They won't notice u.:straightface:

Tourists may check u out but won't bother u. Unless you're wondering around among the drunks on LV Blvd at 2 AM!:heehee:

[Crissy 107]

What a great post by Suzie, she goes over everything you need to know.

[ColleenA]

I flew pretty for the first time in October. I can confirm all that Suzie says.

On the trip out to New Orleans, my friend and I were dropped off at the airport by a family member. Thus, I checked in at the airport and went through the TSA check in drab clothing. Once near our gate, I went into a family (private) restroom. I had everything to change into Colleen in my carry-on bag. Took 15 or 20 minutes (no makeup). The rest of the trip out was en femme. My friend and I sat together on the first leg of our trip, but did not get seats together on the second leg (we were on Southwest). It was the weekend of the Taylor Swift Eras tour at the Superdome, and I wound up talking for a while with my seatmate who was going for that concert. Just a nice chat between two women.

In New Orleans, I was dressed the whole time, even going to the hotel pool in a one-piece one evening. Throughout the trip, I did not have any bad encounters - anyone who might have clocked me ignored me. I would expect the same in Vegas.

My friend had an issue arise at home and had to leave a day early. We then arranged that she would pick me up from the airport rather than anyone else. That gave me the opportunity to fly pretty the whole way home. Check-in with the airline and with TSA went without a hitch. The only moment of any note was after walking through the body scanner, a female agent approached and asked if I was ok with her doing a body pat-down. I said that was fine. The only place she really checked was my torso, specifically feeling my forms.

As I said, no problems over the four days of the trip. It was so worth it, feeling so free to be me for that whole time.

[Andrea Renea]

Never flown pretty but Ive packed pretty several
times. Its not a issue to the TSA. Just be honest
and you not have problem.

I've dressed in LV multiple times and in other
casino towns...no issues

I was En-fem in LV the first of October 2024.
I didn't realize Diva LV was going on or I would
have planned to attend.

[Heisthebride]

Don?t go in overly stressed out about things, be yourself and enjoy the experience. Like other here have said, it should be no problem at the airport and other public spaces in Vegas.

TSA specific advice. Be aware of what you?re wearing through the metal detector or body scanner even beyond jewelry. Metal garter clips, underwire bra, etc.

Also think about getting makeup through TSA with limitations on liquids. If you can just put makeup with your checked luggage and you won?t have TSA issues with that.

Think about breast forms, foam are not an issue but I have had my good silicone forms get pulled out of my carry on to check in the security line. I have since put silicone forms in my checked bags and wear foam forms.

Airports are big, wear comfortable shoes. They can be heels, but you?ll be walking a lot.

So excited for you.

[Robyn n TN]

I can confirm everything Suzie has said. It really is no problem and if they do have an issue with recognizing you from your male ID, take that as a big compliment.
One thing that I don't think anyone has mentioned, is that you can change the name and picture on your UBER profile so that the driver will be looking for you in femme mode not a guy. I know they appreciate it when the rider matches the profile pic. Then after you get back in male mode you can change it back.

[jjjjohanne]

My advice:
Wear flats. There is a lot of walking at the airport.
Be honest. They are looking for dangerous people, not dressy people.
Think ahead about what gender TSA agent you would want to have pat you down if they see something concerning in the body scanner.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Stephanie, Have a safe trip and don't forget the Camera

[alwayshave]

Stephanie, I hope you have a great trip.

[chrissy111]

Have a great trip, and remember almost anything goes in Vegas.

[Genifer Teal]

As someone said above, they are looking for dangerous people. nervous people could also seem like a dangerous person. Don't be nervous either. There's really no reason for it. No one will care.

And the heel thing? To each their own. It is a lot of walking, but I had no trouble. I also learned that the fuselage is curved, so there's more ceiling height in the middle of the aisle. I was concerned it might be a problem like I have on trains sometimes. They are discouraged in case of an emergency evacuation. You can't wear them on the emergency ramps.

[kimdl93]

If you happen to have a regional connection via in an Embrear 175, wear flats if you are over 5 feet 3 inches tall!

[BrendaPDX]

Stephanie, Most if not all TSA have been trained to expect us (well us cross dressers) and don't give us a second thought. Have fun.

[Stephanie Lynne]

Hi! Thanks to each of you for the wonderful tips and experiences! Several of them are things I hadn?t thought about. I?ll be on Southwest Airlines taking an Uber to each place I have planned. I?ll have to upload a matching picture in my Uber app to match my account name I set up. I saw where they will bring a female driver. I hadn?t thought about the jewelry issue at TSA, so that?ll be addressed, as well as being ready for a pat down. I feel pretty comfortable on the times being out before, but this is a whole new experience. I?ll update everyone afterwards and can?t wait for my girl time.

NatalieMN?I?ll be seeing Styx at the Venetian.
Hugs,
Stephanie

[TerriLynnCD]

I flew home pretty (first time) from DLV in Oct. It was a complete non-issue. Just as Suzie laid out. Dropped off the rental car and checked in my luggage at the rental car center with drab ID, no issue. Shuttle bus to airport, no issue. TSA, only thing was my waist cincher set off the metal detector (I have pre-check) so I had to go to the scanner, then a female agent asked to pat down my torso. ID check at TSA no issue. I also flew Southwest and got lucky enough to get the LUV seat (2 seat exit row for the uninitiated) all to myself so I had no seat mate (and a non-stop flight). Shuttle bus at home airport to the parking lot, no issue, even got a compliment on my outfit (also business-acceptable attire).

In Vegas, no one will bat an eye. I've been attending DLV for a few years now, no issues at all. Had some previous gurl time there before DLV as well. Go have fun!

It was a unique set of circumstances where I was coming home to an empty house, so my DADT-style home relationship didn't come into play. I would totally do it again if the option presents itself.

[abby054]

Though I have other issues with the TSA, they are not the fashion police. Probably half of the people they encounter are wearing what are commonly recognized as women?s clothes. They are fine with that. Enjoy your trip.