Recently I flew and was embarrassed when a gruff TSA security type felt my bra connector on my back.
The day had started innocently-dressing with Vanity Fair black lace nouveau briefs and a bra. Usually I wear a pretty pastel Bali microfiber crop top. For some reason, I selected a black Vanity Fair smooth moves conventional bra. They are wonderfully smooth, sheer, and, well, feminine and I liked how the bra complimented the nylon briefs. I guess I don't have to explain my thinking-if you are reading this, you can relate. My anti androgen and estrogen regimen are making bra wearing more and more imperative--the bra flattens my barely Bs for a more acceptable 'male front'. I certainly am not ashamed how I look naked, but I am not in a position to go 'full time' nor even want to. Enough.
I had passed through the new style 'electromagnetic machine' when I was stopped. Curiously, there are choice buttons the inspector selects--blue for boys, pink for girls--(and appropriate stick figure images for those who are color blind--as if any women wear dresses anymore--the image is like the restroom door). The TSA person pushes the appropriate button before the next passenger enters. Subsequently when I asked at another airport, I was told that men and women have different 'electromagnetic fields'. I infer this means that the metal bra clasp and likely the underwire bra cup are given exemption--their metal presence doesn't cause an alarm.If evil meaning folks knew this, they could probably make a special underwire bra to blow up the plane--no inspector is going to challenge a woman with attitude!
A metal clasp-even on a simple two hook bra-is enough the ramp up security when on a non-pink.
When stupid #1 felt my clasp and asked me 'what is this' , I replied 'a bra clasp', he told me to stay there. Stupid #2 comes over (the next higher ranking former 7-11 part timer)comes over, same drill-told him : 'I am transgendered, is that OK?'. He sort of nodded and let me continue. Guess that made for some fun donut break conversation.
I confess this was embarrassing. I will be sure to avoid bras that can get me in airport security trouble (thank God my wife was with me!!!)
. Don't think I can ask for the pink screening. Imagine how it would be if one of us were to wear an old fashioned girdle with metal garters! That would be really hard to explain to folks who may never have seen or heard of one!
be careful! TSA may not stop any terrorists, but they can make life difficult for our community.