The day after tommorrow

[sarahb]

Thanks Kate! Yours is right around the corner! Soon I'll be wishing you a safe trip, and you'll be able to join me in the post-op section

Once I got into the last month the time seemed to go pretty fast. It seemed that the past 3 months has pretty much flied by, but the last stretch wasn't as slow-going as I thought it would be. It's these last days that are going at a turtle's pace, lol. But it's great knowing that tomorrow is the last day of work, then it's a 2 week vacation (of sorts) for me.

~Sarah

[mmelny]

Melan - Oh no!!!! I AM going through O'Hare airport in Chicago. Let me tell you, they better not lose my luggage! Hahahaha. I don't know why I'm so stuck on that issue right now, lol. I've never had this many connecting flights, so I'm worried my baggage will get lost in the shuffle of everything. Oh well, I'm planning on packing my most important things in my carry-on anyways.

No worries... millions upon billions of people pass through that cursed airport.. and have no issues.. unless they are me! 

Quick question for those who have been there or know the area. Am I going to be totally out of luck when it comes to trying to figure out where to go once I get off the plane in Montreal? Is everything in French only, or are there enough English translations for me not to have to worry? I'm just worried that I'll get off the plane and be totally lost, thereby losing my own luggage. What about customs? My passport has my current name on it, but I still have that darn M. Will they hassle me about it?
~Sarah

It's Canada, they love or at least tolerate with a curious look all things trans .. Even if they were trans-phobic, the canadian in them won't let them be rude!  It's why I moved here to transition.. lol, no joke    Of course, this may or may not apply to the French in them   .. but no worries, overall, any transportation security/agency/airline/business sees the "M" on a woman's passport these days, I don't think many blink anymore.

You'll have very little issues with English in Montreal, it's a very bi (lingual) city 
You'll have no issues flying with a "M" on your passport.. I did it for 2 years here, and I was back and forth to the US/Canada frequently.   

Melan

[sarahb]

Awesome, thanks for the info Melan. I wasn't too worried about the M on my passport, but you can never be too sure, especially with today's climate.

~Sarah

[Julie Marie]

Quick question for those who have been there or know the area. Am I going to be totally out of luck when it comes to trying to figure out where to go once I get off the plane in Montreal? Is everything in French only, or are there enough English translations for me not to have to worry? I'm just worried that I'll get off the plane and be totally lost, thereby losing my own luggage. What about customs? My passport has my current name on it, but I still have that darn M. Will they hassle me about it?

~Sarah

When you get off the plane there will be signs that will direct you to customs.  There are golf-cart type cars you can take for free or you can walk to the customs area.  When it's your turn at customs, make sure you don't hesitate when they ask you why you're here and where you will be staying.  Otherwise you could be spending some time in the customs holding area.  (That happened to Julie and I when it was my turn.  Kinda scary!)

The M will be no problem.  My guess is they see several a week just for Brassard alone.

Once you clear customs, follow the crowd or the signs.  You will be looking for the limousine pickup area.  The limo is included Brassard's price.  They should have given you a contact number to get a hold of the driver.  After you get picked up, you can stop using your brain. 

[Flan]

I do have my customs document from Brassard's office. Julie, should I say 'surgery' or 'medical reasons' instead?

"Medical tourism" for the win.

[sarahb]

I guess I'll just be honest and say medical (leaving it general) and elaborate on that if they ask what type of medical. Being so close to Brassard's office, I'm sure they get tons of trans people anyways, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Another question...is the baggage claim before the Customs window? Or do I have to go through Customs before I can pick up my baggage? What if they keep me there like they did you, what will become of my precious baggage?

~Sarah

[Kristyn]

I guess I'll just be honest and say medical (leaving it general) and elaborate on that if they ask what type of medical. Being so close to Brassard's office, I'm sure they get tons of trans people anyways, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Another question...is the baggage claim before the Customs window? Or do I have to go through Customs before I can pick up my baggage? What if they keep me there like they did you, what will become of my precious baggage?

~Sarah

Stop worrying!  They will not keep you there!  Just be cool and honest--they don't care about your gender status.  They just want to make sure your not coming here to pick up 5 million tabs of extasy and leaving.  Tell them you have surgery booked with Dr. B at such and such a date and you will be leaving at such and such a date.  Just smile and be yourself.

[blackMamba]

Good luck Sarah!  I'm also a Montreal graduate.

Even if they lose your luggage, it won't be the end of the world, you will have everything you need.  Take one last look down your pants, do they have everything they need? 

As for customs, the lady asked me what I was going to be doing in Canada, and I said I'm going to see a doctor.  I didn't show them anything except my passport and customs sheet I filled out on the airplane.  No big deal. 

Enjoy the ride, you are good hands, they will take good care of you.  Welcome to the club!

[Julie Marie]

eeek! My life would be flashing before my eyes, imagining them preventing me from entering the country. That must have put some stress on you.

I was going to just say 'vacation' (I'm traveling by auto, crossing the border in two weeks). I do have my customs document from Brassard's office. Julie, should I say 'surgery' or 'medical reasons' instead?

I want to get to the part where I can disengage brain, lol.

Good luck, Sarah! We'll be thinking of you on your big day.

When they asked where we'd be staying, I just wasn't in the mood to say Dr. Brassard's.  I was hoping to avoid the T stamp.  So I looked at Julie, she looked at me then I gave some vague answer. 

The guy said something to us and we started to walk to get our bags.  He then called out and told us we had to go the other way.  We looked around and he pointed at a glass walled room where there were a few other people and a long counter with uniformed men behind it.

We walked to the room and opened the door and went up to the counter.  I asked what the problem was.  The guy just asked for our identification and took our passports.  I again asked what's wrong and he said they were just checking some things and told us to sit down.  At one point I noticed him getting upset with our questions so we knew it was time to sit and hope for the best.

About twenty minutes of sweating it out later, they called us up, gave us our passports and thanked us for our patience.

Lesson learned, just tell them what you're doing and where you're going.  Don't hesitate.  They don't care if you're trans or have green toes.  They are only looking for people who look suspicious.

You can just say Dr. Brassard and hand them the letter.  We did that when it was Julie's turn and it was no problem.

[sarahb]

O'Hare airport lost my luggage. Well, they just didn't get it on the plane since the previous plane was late. They say I should get it tommorrow.

Anyways, I'll write more tommorrow when I'm less exhausted. Counting down to the final surgery now at 3 days!

~Sarah

[Dianna]

All the very best to you Sarah. 

[Sarah B]

Hi SarahR

Good luck and I'm sorry I could not help you with the customs stuff  .  I await with abated breath on the tales of your surgery in the post op forums!!!!

Take care and best wishes for the future.

Kindest regards
Sarah B

[Renate]

should I say 'surgery' or 'medical reasons' instead?

You should say "medical treatment". More specific than that, they do not need to know.
There is such a thing as medical confidentiality.
If they insist, you could just give them the name, address and phone number of the doctor.
Of course the doctor should only confirm that you are scheduled for "treatment"

As far as ever asking any sort of border personnel any sort of question, bad idea.

Good luck, Sarah. Have fun!

[mmelny]

O'Hare airport lost my luggage. Well, they just didn't get it on the plane since the previous plane was late. They say I should get it tommorrow.

Anyways, I'll write more tommorrow when I'm less exhausted. Counting down to the final surgery now at 3 days!

~Sarah

Yikes!! I hope I didn't curse you... freaking O'hara, I hate that place!!!!!  I have 3 complete sob stories during my transition the last 2 years, that all have a focus on that accursed place!!!!   May it be damned to .....

Blah, nevermind o'hara.... glad your luggage will be there soon, and that you made it safely!!!  Yay yooouuu, sleep and rest well, your big day is almost upon you!!!  Yay girl!!! .... and welcome to Canada!!

*huggs*,
Melan

[Sandy]

I hope you get your luggage soon Sarah!  As a resident of Chi, I apologize on behalf of the staff that misdirected your luggage.  Too bad you don't get air miles for your luggage too!

In any case, please let this be the worst part of your journey and may everything else go better than you expect.

-Sandy

[Julie Marie]

Sarah, as of this writing, you may be in surgery (if you're the morning person).  We wish all the best and hope there will be a big smile on your face when you open your eyes! 

[Flan]

Sarah, as of this writing, you may be in surgery (if you're the morning person).  We wish all the best and hope there will be a big smile on your face when you open your eyes! 

umm, today is surgery prep day for her

* FlanHusky points at ticker

[Julie Marie]

umm, today is surgery prep day for her

* FlanHusky points at ticker

Okay, just delay my comments til tomorrow. 

[MMarieN]

Best of luck on your surgery. Remember, sleep is your friend while you are recovering.

[Sandy]

According to your "ticker", you should be past your surgery.

Welcome to your first day of your rebirth!  I can imagine that you are all smiles now!

-Sandy