flight.....

[Sheala]

Hey everyone, i plan on taking a trip cross country nevt month and want to get some input on how flying pre op in fem goes. Should i expect a pat down? a strip search? how horably bad will it be? should i just fly in boy mode?  HELP!!!!!!!!

[Shantel]

Good question, I haven't experienced anything like that so far although we had an adult toy in the carry-on and they opened it and took it out and examined it. I didn't say what I was thinking,"Yeah it's a detonator you jackwad!"

[LittleEmily24]

I havent experienced this yet, but im sure that TSA agents dont live under a rock, and you're more than likely not the first transperson they've ever run into. Plus, if you have a letter from your psych, you should be good. I have a letter in case I get any fluff for passport or info discrepancies

[Sheala]

I have one also I made sure to request one. I carrie it with me every where. speeking of i should make a copie..... lol. Thank you both I have just heard some horror stories and it got me concerned.

[Megan Joanne]

My mom and I flew last year to get to where we live now in Austin. I didn't have any problems, the whole checking of things was confusing (just as much as everything was at the airports), taking all belongings, putting them in a plastic tote, including taking shoes off, walking through scanners, picking our stuff back up, that was it. No close contact bodily searches and no embarrassments with that 'M' on my ID.

[PurpleCrown]

I flew across Europe during my RLE with my male passport and picture. Brought a letter from the gender clinic with me, but to my surprise no questions were asked.

[Rachel]

I was going to Canada last week in male shirt, tie and pants. While in the scanner with my hands up the tsa guy said to empty everything out of my top shirt pocket. I have two breasts poking and it looks like I have tissue in my pocket. I looked him in the face and said it is empty. He looked at the scanner and said ok you can go. I was a little nervous but it was a non issue.

[E-Brennan]

TSA sees this kind of thing many, many times each day at major airports.  They're well trained in how to deal with it - don't believe the once-a-year news stories about an old lady stripped naked or whatever.  Those are situations deliberately created and escalated by anti-TSA activists who go through security with the sole intent of causing an issue.  You may have to explain differences in your physical appearance (male passport, female appearance), but trust me, they've seen this stuff so many times before that they really won't cause any problems.

[Cris Zoe]

TSA sees this kind of thing many, many times each day at major airports.  They're well trained in how to deal with it - don't believe the once-a-year news stories about an old lady stripped naked or whatever.  Those are situations deliberately created and escalated by anti-TSA activists who go through security with the sole intent of causing an issue.  You may have to explain differences in your physical appearance (male passport, female appearance), but trust me, they've seen this stuff so many times before that they really won't cause any problems.

What she said.

I went thru Philly's TSA checkpoint recently and got flagged by the full body scanner. The agent selects the (perceived) gender when they initiate the scan. I looked back and saw the little female icon lit up with a "X" in the groin region. I turned to the agent and just said I'm transgender. She just waived me past and bellowed out "Next!". No drama, they didn't care.

[Christine Eryn]

TSA sees this kind of thing many, many times each day at major airports.  They're well trained in how to deal with it - don't believe the once-a-year news stories about an old lady stripped naked or whatever.  Those are situations deliberately created and escalated by anti-TSA activists who go through security with the sole intent of causing an issue.  You may have to explain differences in your physical appearance (male passport, female appearance), but trust me, they've seen this stuff so many times before that they really won't cause any problems.

Well this is good to hear. I've been limiting myself on SRS surgeons because of my concern at the screeners. I was afraid if they did a scan on me, they'd go        I was thinking I had to take the Amtrack or drive somewhere close.

I also forgot about carring some kind of doctor's/therapist note. That is an excellent idea.

[Sheala]

thats all great information I am feeling MUCH better about my up comming trip home. ohhh FYI this will be my first time home since i came out :O

[Shantel]

thats all great information I am feeling MUCH better about my up comming trip home. ohhh FYI this will be my first time home since i came out :O

I'm sure they will see you as we do, as one fine lady. Wishing you the best homecoming ever!

[Sheala]

Thank you every one for your great advice. I will be heading to Eugene OR. and was kinda wondering if any one knew of any groups that may be meeting next in a few weeks there.

[Kassie]

I am in the Salem Oregon area currently there is a group that will be meeting the second weekend of the month but not sure about Eugene look on Facebook or Google Eugene Oregon trans sexual groups
Good luck with family hope it is a good trip

[Sheala]

Hi Kassie my sister lives in Salem and i will be spending at least one night there lol. I have looked around and for how open most of Eugene is it really seams as if the LGBT community out side of Pride is quiet.