Dealing With the TSA

[Wynternight]

I live in Alaska and will begin transition here when I move to Anchorage. As there's really no way out of this state other then flying (yes, you can drive if you want to go through Canada every time or the ferry which is very expensive) I'm wondering how we deal with the TSA, presenting as one gender and having a DL that says something else. I have a very dim view of these....people, to begin with, given the crap they've pulled over the years, but having to go through their little grope session, not to mention ID check, is worrisome. I don't want one of them to look at my DL then at me and out me in front of an airport full of people.

Are my worries overblown or is this something to be genuinely concerned over?

[Ayden]

Hope you don't mind one of the guys commenting, but I'm from Fairbanks myself, and I have flown several times in and out of the state, most recently outside the country (and making a return trip in a few weeks for dr's appointments). I'm not sure if you are flying out of FAI or through one of the bush airports, but if you are going through FAI TSA, you don't have much to worry about. Even Washington they didn't give me much trouble.

I would recommend, if you are seeing a therapist and presenting female that you have a letter stating that you are transitioning. I went through the full body scanners with my packer and binding, with my ID still saying female and I didn't get a single comment. TSA is slowly getting better about it. I was even able to take my hormones, needles and all through in my carry on without anyone saying anything.

[Wynternight]

No, this topic is for anyone, thank you for the reply!

I'm in the Bush at the moment but not transitioning until I leave here so I'd be flying in and out of Ted Stevens in Anchorage. I figured having a letter would be a must but I'm worried about a TSA chucklehead making an issue out of things, before and after presentation of said letter. That you haven't had an issue is reassuring but they rotate those people in and out quite frequently.

[Flan]

Mostly they just want a photo id that remotely resembles you and matches your tickets. I also didn't have problems with (air) traveling with syringes and rx drugs, and I had a lot of them at the time (all in a baggie).

[Ayden]

No, this topic is for anyone, thank you for the reply!

I'm in the Bush at the moment but not transitioning until I leave here so I'd be flying in and out of Ted Stevens in Anchorage. I figured having a letter would be a must but I'm worried about a TSA chucklehead making an issue out of things, before and after presentation of said letter. That you haven't had an issue is reassuring but they rotate those people in and out quite frequently.

Gotcha. I haven't had any problems with Ted Stevens, and they tend to be a little more strict than up in Squarebanks, where I have never even heard of anyone getting seriously searched. I had my letter, but I didn't show it unless asked for it. As long as your ID looks like you (even vaguely from my experience) you will be fine. If they really want to ask why you are dressed a certain way, show them your letter and if they want to make an issue, just ask to speak to their super. I had to show my letter in Seatac and the TSA folks just thanked me and let me through. I wasn't asked to remove my packer or anything, which I was worried would be an issue. They even offered to have my choice of a male or female TSA agent look through my carry on. On top of that, I only got searched because I had a second computer in my carry on that I forgot to take out of the suitcase. 

In my experience, Alaskan airports are actually more laid back. I actually had the most problems at Jacksonville and in Chicago, but even there I just demanded to speak with a super and after that it was fine.