Binders and airplanes???

[alienjames]

Okay so I have a pretty big and pretty urgent issue here. I'm going to Berlin for about 5 days with my school and it's a 3 hour plane journey. I've been on planes before, but not for about 5 years, I mean last time i went anywhere on a plane I was about 10 and didn't even have anything that I needed to bind. So anyway, back to the real issue, I'm not out to the school, my family or anyone on the trip bar about 4 people and I have 2 main problems.

1) Is it okay to bind on an airplane? I have a cheap asian hook-clip half length style binder (does that make sense??) and this one http://www.underworks.com/ultimate-chest-binder-tank which is a tiny bit small (i.e. 29-31" but I'm 32") but i can get it on easily.

2) Has anyone has any issues getting binders through airport security? I'm flying from Glasgow, UK if that makes any difference. If it was absolutely necessary I can wear a sports bra for the plane journey, but would either binder get questioned by security if inside a tshirt in a suitcase? I really can't have my parents knowing and the school would undoubtedly contact them.

[fennec-fox]

I haven't worn a binder on an airplane (yet), though I don't see why it would be a problem. It might be a bad idea for long flights because I've heard it's a bad idea to wear a binder for extended periods of time (over 8 hours), but it should be fine for a three-hour flight.

You'd have no problem getting a binder through security. They'd only question anything that looks suspicious. As long as you don't have any weapons or explosives in your suitcase, you should get through just fine. I'm sure I've brought harmless stuff through that probably looks more suspicious than a chest binder. One time when I flew, I forgot to take out my e-cig (which looks nothing like a real cigarette) and e-liquid bottles from my backpack when I went through security (here in the US, you have to take any liquids out of your carry-on luggage when you go through security). They didn't question me about the strange device and small bottles of liquid in a pocket in my backpack. I didn't even realize I'd forgotten to show them until after I got through security! So, yeah, if something like that can go through security without raising suspicion (even though I technically violated TSA rules by keeping it in my backpack), a chest binder definitely won't cause any issues.

[Tysilio]

It's just a piece of clothing, and it's much too thin to conceal explosives. And if you were wearing it, and they did question it for some reason when you went through the body scanner:

You'd get to say "Busted!" . . . 

Priceless.

[CursedFireDean]

Binders almost always trigger the body scanner for me. Every time. If you're able, I'd say sports bra, just because it's such a hassle to set off the body scanner. Last time I did, I have to get scanned several times and get my hands swabbed.

[FriendsCallMeChris]

Ditto what Dean says. I don't know why, but they do set off scanners.  Even my tighter sports bras have been problematic.  Add that hassle to being stuck on a plane, not able to move well, for a few hours, or more if you get stuck on the tarmac or have a long flight, with air compression (think about a balloon on an airplane and compare your lungs to it) , and you are miserable and might even have breathing issues.

Besides, my id says F on it.  No sense in going through that hassle, either.  Maybe wear a hoodie if it helps you cope.
Just my 2 cents. 

[Maleth]

It set off the body scanner for me but I got a brief pat-down and nothing major.

[alienjames]

Thanks everyone. Does anyone know if this binder would set off alarms do you think? (I'm not entirely sure if this is the one I have but it's similar)


Mod Edit- Links require prior permission. TOS 1

[Maleth]

I don't see the link, which binder are you talking about?

[lionheart]

Binders almost always trigger the body scanner for me. Every time. If you're able, I'd say sports bra, just because it's such a hassle to set off the body scanner. Last time I did, I have to get scanned several times and get my hands swabbed.

That's actually really good to know, this always seems to happen to me and I could never figure out what it was so I'd get really anxious. Usually they just scan me a few more times and sometimes I have to get patted down. I wonder why this happens, though.

As for wearing it on the plane, 3 hours really isn't that long, and I've never really experienced any more discomfort than I would just wearing it day-to-day, so it shouldn't be an issue.

[Whynaut]

You will set off security if they scan you as male. How body scanners work now is they scan the outline of your body. So if you are male, the scanner will pick up anything under your clothes, including extra chest tissue, binders, bras, etc. If you wear a sports bra and go through the scanner as female, it will probably not go off. This doesn't matter what your ID says since the scanner works by having a person look at you, and determine whether to press the male or female button.

I recently flew for top surgery and it went off both ways. The first time it was for the binder and the second time it was because I had surgical tape over my incisions. Realistically, you should be prepared to be harassed by TSA. Maybe you will get a nice agent who just pats you down and says go ahead. But maybe you will be asked to remove your clothes and be searched. I'm not saying this to scare you, but be sure to arrive at the airport early enough so you don't miss your flight if something weird happens. What I chose to do was just write a letter saying I am trans and explaining what I'm wearing. It really confused the old TSA agent but I also printed out this page (http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/transgender-travelers) and included in my letter that if he cannot be respectful to please call a supervisor. When I was returning home, I just explaining I had chest surgery and there was a bandage.

EDIT: Just read you are not flying in the USA, but body scanners should work the same anywhere. I would look into information with the security agency in your country to see if they have anything for transgender travelers.

[youngbuck]

My binder always sets off the scanners as well and I'm honestly relieved to learn it's not just me. I had wondered if it'd help to get a different binder for travel -- the ones I wear have a zipper -- but realized that likely wouldn't make a difference, since anything "extra" on a man's chest is going to ping as unusual.

Thankfully, I've never gotten anything but an extremely brief and gentle pat down in response -- nothing weird or invasive. One guy asked me if I was wearing a chain before he went to the trouble of touching me, but yeah, that's the extent of any questions they've asked. I'm still fearful of catching someone on a bad day or winning the wrong lottery for a full exam, but I've been lucky so far. The anxiety really sucks, though.