The high flying club

[PeggySue]

I need advice from those of you who fly. I will be flying internationally to the UK this weekend. I'm not able to fly en femme. The trip is too long for one thing (at least 20 hours or more from start to finish without a shave). I want to take my silicone friends in my take on luggage.:heehee: Will this be a violation of the 3 oz. liquid security restriction which I assume is still in effect? Will the TSA have a problem with them? The way checked luggage gets thrown around, I don't want to put them in checked baggage.

Thanks girls,
PeggySue

[TxKimberly]

Im sorry but I don't know. I DO fly a lot but either wear them in femme mode or put them in my checked bag. I suspect you WOULD have a problem carrying them on as they are clearly a gel - the very things they don't allow you to carry on.

[Sally2005]

Curious how wearing them vs carrying them might be. Could be a bit embarrasing when the security person empties your belongings for all to see. I think I would go for the checked luggage and just keep them in the middle of the clothing or in a container so they can't get squashed. I've never flown en-fem, but quite a bit on business.

[Jenny J]

Curious how wearing them vs carrying them might be. Could be a bit embarrasing when the security person empties your belongings for all to see. I think I would go for the checked luggage and just keep them in the middle of the clothing or in a container so they can't get squashed. I've never flown en-fem, but quite a bit on business.

I think this would be the best option. That and possibly checking in a bit early.

:flyingpig:Flying the pond a few years back it seemed the late arriving bags are the ones that get 'man' handled the most.

Your bags will still be searched but other than a nice note from the TSA ;), you shouldn't have problems.

The return trip will probably be the same. Haven't heard of too many complaints regarding bags originating in Europe.

Jen :rose2:

[sandra-leigh]

I will be flying internationally to the UK this weekend. [...] I want to take my silicone friends in my take on luggage.:heehee: Will this be a violation of the 3 oz. liquid security restriction which I assume is still in effect?

Wear 'em. The reports TxKimberly compiled recently indicates that doing so is not a problem as far as TSA is concerned. I've flown in Canada wearing mine in "guy mode". I've also flown in Canada wearing mine in obvious gender-bending mode (i.e., skirt, blouse designed to show off the bulge of the "breasts", a little foundation but no wig.) Canadian security you have to put your coat through the machine, so the bulges were clear to security, but they had no problem at all with them.

Seriously, I've flown wearing D-cup forms several times, and people don't pay attention unless you make them obvious. If you aren't wearing something low-cut or stretchy or with breast-pockets, then even a D-cup usually only produces a minor rounding of the shirt fabric. So wear them if you want to and if circumstances permit (e.g., you aren't flying sitting beside someone you know but who doesn't know about your dressing.)


Silicone forms are not a gel (though PALS are a gel.)

[Joann0830]

Hi I asked a friend who is with TSA and is also a CDM and he said if its a GEL its a NO Go on carry on and he said if there is an issue it might be on the way back thru customs again because it is a gel, he stated that you can probably get away with a foam rubber kind but not the gel, he also said that you can call the TSA or go online and find out for sure. Sorry Honey, Joann0830:sad:

[sandra-leigh]

Hi I asked a friend who is with TSA and is also a CDM and he said if its a GEL its a NO Go on carry on

TSA says otherwise.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm



To ensure the health and welfare of certain air travelers, in the absence of suspicious activity or items, greater than 3 ounces of the following liquids, gels and aerosols are permitted through the security checkpoint in reasonable quantities for the duration of your itinerary (all exceptions must be presented to the security officer in front of the checkpoint):

[...]
o Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and, [...]

You are allowed reasonable amounts over 3 ounces of the items above in your carry-on baggage, but you will need to perform the following:

1. Separate these items from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag.
2. Declare you have the items to one of our Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
3. Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening.



So you can wear them or you can take them in carry on, as long as you follow the proper packaging and notification procedures.

[PeggySue]

Wow!!! You girls are awesome!!:) I knew I could count on you. Thanks for the great response. I have thought about just wearing them in drab. I know that I couldn't wear the coat to hide them (especially since it has a zipper), but maybe some loose fitting clothes would work like tess-leigh suggests. I do plan to allow extra time so I will arrive early. I know checked baggage can be opened and checked and I don't want them tampered with or stolen.

The likelihood of running into someone who would know me is close to zero. I'm not flying out of the nearest airport to my home, and I'm flying alone. If I did get checked or had to declare what I had, only strangers would be around.

Well, I'm going to give it some more thought. Thanks to all of you for great advice and information. It has been a couple of years since I flew and carrying silicone was not an issue that time.

Hugs:hugs:,
PS

[deja true]

In another forum this issue came up and was commented on many times.

It appears that if you wear them, as per those TSA guidelines above, there would be no problem. But packed in carry on, there would be. That carry on would definitely be stopped and hand searched after the x-ray machine. (One correspondent on that forum, left the line after an incident like that, put on the forms and was then allowed through!)

Packing them into checked luggage should be no problem at all, even if the bags are searched. Just put them in a crush proof box, like tupperware, and they'll come through fine. The chances of them being stolen or damaged is miniscule. I've done this for my international flights to and from SCC and Chicago and had no problems at all. After all, your checked in luggage will be inspected without you present, so the inspectors will have no idea who the bag belongs to.

[TxKimberly]

Mine have seen more miles in my checked bags than probably 90% of the people on this forum combined have seen. More often than not, my checked bags ARE inspected (they leave a little slip of paper telling you so) but they have never been tampered with or damaged.
You mentioned hiding them under your coat so I'll give you a little warning. When you go through the security check point, you will be forced to remove your shoes, hats, and coats and send them through the xray machine. So be prepared for everyone to see whats under your coat and either be sure your pretty toe nails have socks on them, or prepared to let everyone in line see 'em.

[PeggySue]

I had not thought of the tupperware, deja true. That is an excellent idea. I sure don't want silicone all over my suitcase. And, you're right, Kimberly, removal of the coat makes it a no starter as cover.

You all have been great. I have 2 more days and then decision time!

[marny]

I'm with Tess. wear them.. I have many times. No trouble Hon!

[TxKimberly]

. . . I had not thought of the tupperware,. . .

Oh yeah, they are great! I also carry my hair in tupperware to keep it from getting crushed.

[PeggySue]

I will be sure to put the wig in a container too. Good idea!
Now it's off to bed for my long day tomorrow!

[Ashlyee Paige]

Hello :> first post here :> I am a TSA Officer myself and you CAN take forms with you. There is no problem at all with that :> and as far as flying en femme all the officers at every airport has been trained in dealing with TG issues and according to TSA regulations they are to treat the passenger as the gender they present themselves to be, so if you dress en femme while flying you will be treated as a GG and be screened by a female officer. the gels in forms are considered a medical device by TSA and will not be affected at all :> Hope this helps if you have any questions regarding TSA and flying I will be happy to answer anything :>

Ashlyee

[Nicki B]

I've flown across the Atlantic with forms quite a few times now - I've always packed them in my checked luggage, suitably protected? You can guarantee if they're in your hand luggage, someone's going to want to get them out in front of you (ermm, did that come out right? :idontknow: ) to see what they are. :rolleyes:


As for transporting wigs, I use the display tins that liquor bottles sometimes are sold in (the best I have is a Jack Daniels one, with perforated mesh sides). They're light, protect the wig and can be used as a stand at the other end..

[TxKimberly]

. . . I am a TSA Officer myself . . .


Well hello Ashlyee and welcome! Wow, you could have saved a lot of us a lot of worry if you had been here sooner. Some of us have now flown a lot, but we went through a LOT of nerve wracking doubt getting started.
As all of us that have flown were treated well at every airport we have flown from, we had deduced that the TSA must have policies about it, but it is a relief to have you confirm it!

Thank you for the information and welcome to the forum. Now if I were you, I'd get comfortable, because with all the interest here for flying "dressed", I suspect you are about to be swamped with PM's! lol

[Ashlyee Paige]

TXKimberly, Thank you :> I just found this site and simply LOVE it! :> I dont mind if anyone pm's me I would love to answer any questions anyone might have :>

[Jenny J]

Ashlyee-

Without hijacking (oops wrong word) this thread I want to thank you and your group for the diligent work you do to keep our transportation system safe. I know many times I go through the line uttering nasty things under my breath but all in all the TSA does a fine job so keep up the good work.

I wouldn’t be able to support my dalliances in Lane Bryant or Dress Barn if it weren’t for good people like you.

It’s also nice to know there are like minded people on the other side of the metal detectors. Just don’t look at me funny when the latest copy of Elle magazine slips out of my flight kit.

Keep up the good work and thanks for the great information. Enjoy your time here on the forum, it’s a great place.

Happy Screening!

Jen :rose2:

[renee k]

Ashlyee-

Without hijacking (oops wrong word) this thread I want to thank you and your group for the diligent work you do to keep our transportation system safe. I know many times I go through the line uttering nasty things under my breath but all in all the TSA does a fine job so keep up the good work.

I wouldn’t be able to support my dalliances in Lane Bryant or Dress Barn if it weren’t for good people like you.

It’s also nice to know there are like minded people on the other side of the metal detectors. Just don’t look at me funny when the latest copy of Elle magazine slips out of my flight kit.

Keep up the good work and thanks for the great information. Enjoy your time here on the forum, it’s a great place.

Happy Screening!

Jen :rose2:
:iagree:

Huggs, Renee

[PeggySue]

What a difference 8 hours makes! I left for my trip never seeing Ashlyee's thread. Thanks you so much, Ashlyee, for that expert inside advice. I maybe would have done things a little differently had I known. I decided to play it safe and packed my gels in the checked baggage. Not knowing the reaction of security in London, I decided that would be better. I had no problems either here or in London. But, I will keep your advice, Ashlyee, in my mind for the next time which is more likely to be a domestic flight. And, welcome aboard!

[Teri Jean]

Thank you Ashlyee, it is nice to hear this because if I decide to fly in the near future I can be sure I can dress with forms and be treated correctly. Kisses Keli