hello, I am thinking of travel as jen and worried about airport tsa agents. would appreciate any thoughts and experiences, not quite sure how my breast forma will not attract agent interest? and how my male drivert license will work if I travel as Jen.
Hi Jen, Lately I am always stopped by TSA when I fly. While I do look almost exactly like my mother, there’s a lot of mileage on this 78 year old face. My intersex body looks much better than my face and I’m always stopped by TSA because the xrays show a female body but the face and ID say male (you can read my profile for more info). I now wear jeans and a body suit under an open shirt and when I'm stopped I just ask for a female agent to pat me down. I open my blouse and say "I'm an intersex person, I'm genetically male but have a womanly body" and then the agent pokes me a little in the chest and then says "OK, move on". It takes about 15 seconds. I found that it's best just to be up front right away and things will go quickly. I hope that helps you. Safe Journey, Marg
@margprodue thanks marg, seems that it is best to use my male name on airline reservations and tsa speedy check in line qualification and just tell them why i may look a bit differetn? and no real worry that they will thing my breast forms are explosive?
i see we are both in college hockey town hotbeds, have seen a number of great wisconsin hockey games but not for a bit, i do follow cornell still
be well
Thanks for the nice reminder that I lived in Corning for 23 years! I really miss Watkins Glen International.
It gets trickier if you are flying internationally. I present as male to match my passport otherwise, Jill gets the isle seat.
I've never had a problem with TSA. The agents are always professional and respectful. Their concern isn't what you look like. It's security and safety. Before I went on HRT, I flew with breast forms. They sometimes wanted to do a secondary screening. I was always checked by a female agent. A private screening room will be provided upon request. You have the right to request both. See this TSA webpage for more info: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-cares/gender-diversity
Liz
@jen I love Ithaca, nice collage town. I have to believe that it’s more accepting than where I am. Hugs Katie
Just be sure your paperwork all matches. I think the most complication would come if your driver license and boarding pass have different names on them. That's domestically of course. Internationally then your passport and boarding pass must match. These days I don't think your appearance would create much of an issue even if it's not matching your documents.
wow what a great site. As a senior citizen and a newcomer almost totally in the closet i am re assured that its ok, and I am ok. thanks to all and to T H . Now all i need is the courage to walk into an airport with my ticket and board, and i guess hope the plane does not get diverted to fly over a biologic bathroom state where they could arrest me for using the ladies room. Actually that was an zttempt at lol for airplane bathrooms are not gender specific?
love to all and thanks so much, i may check back if and when jen gets airborne.
jen
Ive flown both domestic and International as Roberta. I went ahead and got a Global Entry Card in addition to my TSA number. The facial recognition software security uses is a piece of cake. Security does not care what you look like as long as you are you. Even airline people don't care. In fact i get treated nicer and friendlier as Roberta by the airlines than anyone else. Always warm and friendly smiles . They always make me feel like one of the girls.
