Hi all,

As body scanners become more and prominent I have concerns over travel. I've heard of the scanners detecting wrong body shapes (particularly with trans women as their shoulders are too broad when the scanner is trying to read them as female).

Anyone know what the score is here? Just worried about going through security and about being treated with disrespect.

Also worried about packing. I never go anywhere without my packer and feel I shouldn't have to remove it for airport security, it's something I have a right to wear to feel dignified.

The TSA site has a page on transgender screening and it says this:

"Prosthetics: If you have prostheses, you can be screened using AIT, walk-through metal detectors or a pat-down. You will not be asked to lift, remove or raise any article of clothing to reveal the prosthesis in a sensitive area of the body. You will not be asked to remove your prosthesis."

However, what is supposed to happen and what does happen is often two very different things.

Also, if I don't pack isn't that also likely to flag up something in the scanner as there will something rather obvious 'missing'??

I am only taking hand luggage. I'm travelling to escort my poorly Mum back home who became seriously ill while visiting us and she's paying for the ticket and has refused to pay for a check in. I wasn't going to explain to her why i would have preferred one. If I put my packer in my hand luggage just while going through security isn't it likely to be even more embarrassing if it gets flagged? As they are far more likely to pull it out in front of everyone without offering any privacy, including in front of my Mum. At least if I'm packing with it they'd take me to a room on my own.

I also heard that this Christmas just gone the USA decided that scanners were mandatory and you couldn't 'opt out in favour of a pat down' any more. I'm not traveling to or from the USA but other countries may have followed suit.

Any advice from recent travelers?  Preferably the last couple of months or who have been through body scanners.

Thanks

I went through a scanner both in California and Florida in September and October of 2015.

I did not wear my packer so as to not set off the scanner. I had no issues. It cannot tell that something is missing. Only if you have foreign objects. They changed how the image is portrayed so that shouldn't be the case. I even took my hormones and needles with me in my carry-on with no issues.

Hopefully this helps ease your mind.

Travelers in the U.S. can't choose a pat-down anymore??!!

I will have to research this. Gah.

ETA: I have just read that most people can still opt out. Only folks who have "failed multiple checks" absolutely must go through a scanner.

I went through a California airport last summer, and I pass pretty well. When I went through the scanner I was wearing my packer, and I had to step aside for a pat down. My dad, panicked (and unknowing that I was packing), confessed that I'm trans before the male airport guy could pat me down. They apologized and then asked me if it was OK if the lady gave me a pat down instead. I think they could tell I was very uncomfortable, so they decided to let me walk through the scanner again instead of patting me down. It was fine after that, although that made me think that they must've seen my packer or something or marked me as female and that's why my packer set it off idk.

When I came back, I went through an Oregon airport without my packer, but it was in my carry on. No problems at all when going through there. Honestly, I would go through the scanner again wearing my packer, but now my parents would know and I think the security would just offer a re-scan.

Been through the scanner at least twenty times (in the U.S.), always with a packer.  Have had no problems at all.  Twice got a quick pat down and was asked if I had anything in my pockets.  I said no and they sent me on my way.

Fab thanks everyone, I appreciate the replies. I was just starting to think I'll take it out and put it in my hand luggage until after I'm through security, but then HeyTrace19 your comment is making me wonder whether to just wear it.

Grrrrrrrr

I'm flying Sat!

I'm early enough in the process to still present as male going through airport security.  Bra straps when it's expecting a male set it off occasionally and get me a pat-down while they figure out what it is.   

I'm Gold with both United and American, BTW.  I go through airport security a lot, get a pat down on the bra strap about 20% of the time, and have never had a problem.  I'd assume you'd get the same professional treatment I normally receive.     

At this point I get flagged whether I bind or pack or one or neither, on both the male and female settings. I have been rudely confronted about it, I have been discretely and quietly asked if I had a prosthetic. I always end up getting a pat down and usually a hand swab as well (checks for explosives I think.)

Some people have wonderful luck and others get the ->-bleeped-<- end of the stick. I'm one of the trans people who got more of the ->-bleeped-<- end. Others have no problems. You honestly won't know until you get there, and some TSA agents will be nice, others won't, it's not universal. I don't think they all get sensitivity training, only some. Or some do and don't care, that's always a possibility.

My biggest advise would be to either bind and pack both or don't do either. Raise your chances of everything matching. I know many TSA agents will just scan you the other gender if you fail the first test and they'll do it discretely (i.e. They don't announce it, just ask you to go through one more time.) If you pass consistently as male then binding and packing is probably your safest option.

If they do ask you to remove something, politely remind them that they cannot ask you to remove a prosthetic.

You should be comfortable for your flight, so wear whatever would be most comfortable for you. I would bring a copy of the TSA's policy on transgender passengers with you, and if you encounter any issues let them know that you have a copy of the policy that applies to you if they would like to review it.

They all should be getting sensitivity training prior to starting AFAIK, but it's just like any other job training where some people are very attentive and can mentally reference policies and procedures effectively after the fact, while others aren't or can't. When in doubt, ask for a supervisor.

I'm not sure what your immediate travel plans are, but I am flying twice on the 24th and would be willing to pack and report back if you'd like.

Thanks everyone, I think it's likely I'll just wear it. Although might chicken out at the last minute and make a quick trip to the nearest gents. 

CursedFireDean I am lucky as I pass 100% (did pre T until I got older and my voice let me down, and have passed 100% since around month 2 on T.) I've also had top surgery so luckily no binding for me. I actually flew to the states for that (Dr Garramone) but at that time was blissfully ignorant so didn't worry about any potential problems. In fact my concern then was flying on my new passport in case something got flagged up through border control.

Thanks FTMax, I think you are right, and I have a right to feel comfortable too!!! Thanks also for the offer of the report after flying yourself. I am flying this Saturday and then back home Monday so that's after me, but I'd still be curious to see how you got on. I think others would be too, I imagine a lot of us worry about this problem.

The Americans are easy -- I have had more consistent problems going through security at Frankfurt/Main than at any American airport.  Third world scanning personnel often are corrupt,and will try to extort money from you in exchange for a questionale pass; you can be indignant and miss your plane or pay up.

Professional security folk are interested in only two things -- weapons and plastic explosives.  Weapons show up easily on just the metal scanner.  Plastique is the bigger problem.

The scanners can differentiate between human bodies and anything else.  For the MtF, something foreign in the vagina or not encapsulated by skin in your bra are reasons to be attentive.  There are documented cases of small breasted women being recruited to wear a bra padded with plastique.  And for the FtM, that packer could also be packed with plastique, though I now of no case where that has in fact happened. The fear here is not that you are going to blow up the airplane (which without batteries and a blasting cap cannot be done), but that like drugs, you are delivering a nasty substance to somebody else.  The explosive detector looks for a specific odor that is added to plastique (just like an odor is added to natural gas) just for this reason; plastique by itself has no odor and can be detected only by looking for unexplained body or dress cavities.

The TSA folk have absolutely no interest in your gender status, and like a physician, they have seen enough body parts not to be titillated by anything you may have.  And they seen enough bras to be able to ascertain very quickly that the metal parts to a bra are innocent.

In short, unless you really are smuggling drugs or plastique on or in your body, you have nothing to fear from a TSA checkpoint.  But when flying to, from or though Europe, I do try to avoid boarding a plane at Frankfurt.

OK, here's the update. I've been and gone. Neither way did I have to go through a body scanner so all was 100% fine.

I know I'm late to be helpful for this time, but since I travel a lot, I thought it might be worth it anyway. When I first started packing, I stuck it in my bag right before security. And every time it was mortifying. They'd go through my bag, and pull it out, not at all discreet and other passengers could see. One time, it got passed around to several personnel who all laughed before sending me on my way. (Not the U.S., before anyone freaks to much) Then I tried wearing it, and haven't had an issue since. Here, everyone gets a pat down after the scanner, and no one has thought anything of it. I have a much greater fear of the ID check point than security now. I still have a female passport and have had problems more often than not lately.

Quote from: HeyTrace19 on February 03, 2016, 05:32:23 PM
Been through the scanner at least twenty times (in the U.S.), always with a packer.  Have had no problems at all.  Twice got a quick pat down and was asked if I had anything in my pockets.  I said no and they sent me on my way.

@HeyTrace19 are you still packing ok in airports? What kind of packing are you using? maybe that is the secret!  Thanks in advance!

Quote from: jon_slimfast on August 31, 2017, 04:27:43 PM
@HeyTrace19 are you still packing ok in airports? What kind of packing are you using? maybe that is the secret!  Thanks in advance!

Hi Jon

  I'm Laurie, MtF. Hey I see that you are new here. So please let me say, Welcome To Susan's Place! Come on in and take a good look around.  Perhaps I can even get you to hop on over to the Introductions Thread and create a post to tell us a little bit more about yourself so we can get to know you a little better and greet you properly.

  I want to also say that this thread is pretty old as the last post was made « on: February 14, 2016, 01:54:40 am » You probably will not get an answer to your question because HeyTrace19 has not been active for about a year now. Sorry.

I would like to provide you with the following information as it may help you get a better site experience. Please take the time to look at it.

Hugs,
   Laurie

QuoteA Cautionary Note:
This is a public forum so please remember when posting that The Internet Never Forgets, and the various web crawlers and archival sites out there may retain information that you post.

We cannot ensure that any information you share on the site will be protected from public view and/or copying or reproduction. This warning is also listed in the Terms of Service listed below.

If you give out personal information on Susan's you are responsible for any consequence.


I also want to share some links with you. They include helpful information and the rules that govern the site.  It is important for your enjoyment of the site to take a moment to go through them

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

Not too informed on airport protocols outside of the US but if you're stressed about it  IF it's possible and comfortable for you I would just request a pat down. I do this every time the line is ridiculously long and normally it takes a few seconds to get cleared. I'm pre t so I just say I think the thing gives you cancer lol 

This might be helpful: https://www.transequality.org/know-your-rights/airport-security

I have not been through security in a binder yet, but if I go home for the dreaded December event, I will likely do so. Not sure about packing.

My socks have set off the scanner four out of my five last flights. I've had to lift the leg of my pants for that.

I'm likely flying with coworkers next spring. I have a male coworker I might ask to go through security with me and be my 'witness' if I'm taken away for closer inspection. He's calm enough to not intervene and get his ass tazed, but also capable of providing a clear, rational account of anything untoward later.

December, I'm on my own. Do not want. I hope my documents will all match by then.