Community Conversation => Transitioning => Real-Life Experience => Topic started by: ChrissyRyan on March 30, 2025, 12:10:02 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Have you traveled as your female self (MTF) via air?
Post by: ChrissyRyan on March 30, 2025, 12:10:02 PM
Post by: ChrissyRyan on March 30, 2025, 12:10:02 PM
Have you traveled as your female self (MTF) via airlines and thus went through TSA security? Same for pickup up of your car rental?
Was this before getting your ID documentation and sex indicator changed, or only afterward, or both?
Was this before getting your ID documentation and sex indicator changed, or only afterward, or both?
Title: Re: Have you traveled as your female self (MTF) via air?
Post by: KathyLauren on March 30, 2025, 03:06:58 PM
Post by: KathyLauren on March 30, 2025, 03:06:58 PM
I have, going to and from my GCS surgery. It wasn't TSA, but the Canadian airport security is probably pretty similar. They send you through the body scanner.
I had heard about the scanner, and that there is a pink button and a blue button, for perceived females and perceived males, respectively. Just as I went into the scanner for the flight to Montreal, I whispered to the guard that she should press the blue button. I figured that I would rather have the machine register an anomaly on my top rather than my bottom if they are going to have to do a pat-down. As it was, the machine didn't think my boobs were big enough to register as an anomaly with the blue button. (Gee thanks, machine!)
Coming back from surgery, of course, there was no potential anomaly to worry about. I was in a wheelchair, since I was less than a week post-op. I had to get out of the wheelchair for the scanner. Everyone was very considerate.
My driver's license was up to date by that time, so identification was not an issue.
I had heard about the scanner, and that there is a pink button and a blue button, for perceived females and perceived males, respectively. Just as I went into the scanner for the flight to Montreal, I whispered to the guard that she should press the blue button. I figured that I would rather have the machine register an anomaly on my top rather than my bottom if they are going to have to do a pat-down. As it was, the machine didn't think my boobs were big enough to register as an anomaly with the blue button. (Gee thanks, machine!)
Coming back from surgery, of course, there was no potential anomaly to worry about. I was in a wheelchair, since I was less than a week post-op. I had to get out of the wheelchair for the scanner. Everyone was very considerate.
My driver's license was up to date by that time, so identification was not an issue.
Title: Re: Have you traveled as your female self (MTF) via air?
Post by: Tills on May 07, 2025, 12:22:51 PM
Post by: Tills on May 07, 2025, 12:22:51 PM
I've always travelled female since transitioning, even before documentation. Fortunately my breasts are very large.However, I've not yet had the full op below so hadn't considered that issue!
No one has misgendered me thus far. In fact, airlines have been brilliant - even the Middle Eastern carriers. I think it's probably aircrew training and, let's face it, a LOT of LGBGT representation in the male cabin crew. Plus I think it's the same sort of attitude as Thailand: if you look like you want to be called female, they'll do so.
It's on the ground in the UK now that I feel greatest threat but that's a whole different story.
xx
No one has misgendered me thus far. In fact, airlines have been brilliant - even the Middle Eastern carriers. I think it's probably aircrew training and, let's face it, a LOT of LGBGT representation in the male cabin crew. Plus I think it's the same sort of attitude as Thailand: if you look like you want to be called female, they'll do so.
It's on the ground in the UK now that I feel greatest threat but that's a whole different story.
xx