Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Has anyone had any rough encounters with the security at airports? 

I'm getting ready to fly first time while presenting as female but I still have the old ID that shows a male looking photo, male looking name, and a big "M" stamped on it.  Are most airport security personnel trained at dealing with gorgeous women like myself ; )  Any similar encounters you would like to share?  I'm freaking out a tad and not sure if I should tone it down a bit or just be myself.  You know, homeland security and all that crap.

I'm traveling in the US btw, but all parts of the world would be of welcome discussion.

Thanks!
S

I flew for the first time this past spring. I posted a similar post before that.
I have had my name changed, and I do have an F on all of my id's. If you have your paper work from your doc you should be ok, but I would not assume that. It might be better to call the airlines ahead of time and be sure. If you do not look like your photo id you may be in for an interrogation. Once you get past the security person you will have clear sailing/flying.

Deb

I've decided to fly as Suzie and I ain't calling the airlines to warn them.  We'll see what happens. 

The flight is this weekend.  I'm leaning towards denim skirt, I mean really, you can't go wrong, its very cute.

I am forced to use my old name when flying. I pretty much go without any makeup on which makes me look, well like a woman who does not have her makeup on. They look at the male id, look at me, and then call me Ma'am and usually use a feminine form of my first name. It is amusing and surreal at times but I have never had a hassle. MOF the last time I had to be wanded and patted down a bit I had to wait for them to send a woman over to do it.

Let us know how it went for you.

I don't think you'll have any problems.  You may have some jovial moments.  Just go with the flow!

When I've been faced with a situation where I have to out myself, I usually tell the person before I say anything else: "I'm about to make your day very interesting."  It breaks the tension and has always worked.  If I get a smile, I return it.  Why not make our journey fun along the way?  We can laugh at life just as well as anyone else.

Chin up! .... and all of that.
Cindi

Quote from: Cindi Jones on August 04, 2007, 11:47:12 PM
When I've been faced with a situation where I have to out myself, I usually tell the person before I say anything else: "I'm about to make your day very interesting."  It breaks the tension and has always worked.  If I get a smile, I return it.  Why not make our journey fun along the way?  We can laugh at life just as well as anyone else.

I had a moment like that today.  I went with my sister to buy glasses, I handed over the prescription -- written in the name of [____].  Oops, forgot about that one.  I said, "That's my old name.  Karen's my new name," while showing my California Drivers License (of course, it showed I'd failed SEX...)  She paused for just half-a-beat, and went on as if nothing at all was amiss. ;D

The bad people are in the minority.  Really...

Karen

There are times we just have to lighten up a bit. People have to do their jobs and try to do it the right way with no predjudice in mind. It is when they throw it into your face and act like a--holes. I have flown a few times and I have had hardly any problems. The only problem I had was in San Francisco airport. The guy found my dilators in my suitcase. He had to talk out loud. Of course, being shy and all, I responded back to what they were, out loud of course. I wanted to make sure he heard me and there was no misunderstanding. It shut him up.
Sheila

Well, I'm back from my trip and I have to say it was much ado about nothing.  Security didn't care, flight crew didn't care, and in retrospect, I should have guessed.  I almost wish I could add an awkward encounter to the thread.  Apparently tall women fly all the time ; ) 

But I had a good time in San Francisco.  One night, I went into a convenience store to buy something and the counter guy hit on me.  We were the only 2 people in the store at the time and it was on a side street off the beaten path.  I didn't accept (he wanted to get together)...but I flirted a little and it was a total rush.  Made my night.  God I needed that.

So, my advice to anyone who is debating to fly for the first time presenting as you true self, is to paint your toenails and bring something to read, cuz its still boring.

Suzie

Suzie, it is nice to hear that it went well. I didn't need to fly commercially while I was in that part of my transition, or I would have certainly been nervous. I did find myself in a somewhat uncomfortable situation, though, when I had to fly by company air shuttle after I had changed my legal ID and credit cards but just before I transitioned at work and changed my work ID and credit cards!

Since the air shuttle service goes by company ID, that part was easy -- I was still presenting as male for work only, and everything matched. (OK, I did forget to remove a hair clip from my hair before I arrived at the airport.  :embarrassed:) There was no TSA to deal with. I no longer had a legal ID to go with my company credit card, though and I needed to use the card to check in to the hotel. Fortunately, our company does a lot of business with that hotel and I simply laid my work photo ID on the counter when I handed over the credit card. It worked!