Since I am sorely lacking, when asked for advice about flying like a lady, I usually point to a blog of a girl who flew en femme frequently, but that blog is now only accessible by invitation. So when German reader Christina asked about flying en femme in the USA, I had to scramble for a response.
I do keep up with such things (that’s my job), so my impression is that flying en femme in the States is not a big deal as long as you follow TSA rules. My impression was confirmed when I searched the Internet on the subject and found a frequent en femme flyer, who had this to say:
“I fly en femme all the time and my ID is my original birth gender and photo. I have not had any issues in the last five years.
“Before that, TSA was getting used to us and I was occasionally taken in the private room and searched a couple time by new employees, but they are well-versed now. Looking at the male ID and seeing the woman in front of them, they can see the resemblance.
“One word of advice: go all the way or not at all. I can’t count how many time in the earlier years when I was underdressed female, on how TSA remarked, ‘There seems to be something on your chest, Sir’ and I responded, ‘Yes, that's my bra.’ So it helps if you don't care that they know.”
I believe that is the state of flying as a lady in the USA these days. Your comments on the matter are welcome.
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| Wearing ModCloth |
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| Bernard Zette (in black) femulating in the 1988 film Bright Lights, Big City. |
Stana -
ReplyDeleteI presume you are talking about Kim's blog. I hope all is well with her AND that she's flying pretty again.
So far, I've flown pretty at least 3 times, and have cruised pretty even more. Yes, there are places where being pretty can cause us problems. But it you stay on the west coast or in the northeast corridor, it's not a problem. One thing of note - anyone who wants to fly female with a male id MUST use one's male name and show male identification at all TSA checkpoints. Beyond that, I wouldn't worry about it. And it's all thanks to Kim.
M
I have flown as a man in a skirt/dress a few times in US airports. Security was great. Airport employees were great. Getting stuck in a corral and snaking through slowly while surrounded by others in the line was scary and uncomfortable. But it was a non-event.
ReplyDeleteWalking down the concourse, and coming upon 300 people who just deplaned was also uncomfortable. On my first skirted flight, it seemed like over half of them looked at me. I don't know, it may have been two or three planes that had arrived. There were SO many people. But, on later flights, I did not notice many people look at me. Go figure...
At the gate, people talked to me and it did not seem like a big deal that I was wearing a skirt or dress.
I used the men's room. I used a stall, because it takes a couple layers of shapewear to hide my middle-aged tummy. At the sink, I saw in the mirror one guy looking at my outfit. He didn't realize that I could see him.
Wearing ladies' slip-on shoes was SO MUCH BETTER when going through security. I recommend that you wear comfortable shoes when flying.
A word of warning: you might run into someone you know. One time, I wanted to dress pretty on a flight, but I chickened out. I am glad I did. While collecting my luggage at my destination, I came upon some friends who were also getting their luggage.
Another thought: Be prepared for lost luggage. If all you are wearing is ladies' clothing, and then you don't have any luggage for a day, would you be OK with that? If not, bring at least one outfit in your carry-on. Also bring some shopping money, in case your luggage-less-ness goes on for more than a day.
Joey
Here is my blog post about one trip I took while dressed pretty:
ReplyDeletehttps://joeypress.wordpress.com/2017/10/08/flying-pretty-outing-part-1/
I have flown enfemme many times with no issues with the id check. A few times I have had issues with the scanner. Once for metal in my heals at an airport not requiring the removal of shoes. I had to take the shoes off and put them through the scanner. Several times my shoulder was checked by a woman for I assume my bra.
ReplyDeleteI always wear a wig with my forms and Dresstech hippads.
Airports I have been through are Chicago, Denver, Indianapolis and Tampa.
I wrote on this subject in some detail, see the post under Tami Knight Oct. 4, 2023.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Well done Tammy great info here Paula G
DeleteI started my blog in 2010 because I decided to fly pretty and didn't know I was not the trailblazer I thought I was. I thought it was unchartered territory, but should have known better. My experience with TSA was more entertaining than scary (like, one person looked at my ID and said I must've had the wrong ID, and I set off the metal detector and said "it's probably my cinch" and the man said "I don't know what that is" and called over a woman to wand me. She asked if I wanted to go to a private room and I declined.). If you're bored or in the mood for bad prose, check out the first two months of https://youcancallmemeg.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog enormously and was sad when you decided to finish. You may never know just how influential you were on many of us as we have travelled this "strange path"
DeleteI've flown pretty from Las Vegas to Bradley numerous times without hassle. I've experienced "extra" screening a couple of times because there were things scanned that didn't match the image presented to the workers and aside from one male TSA worker who was a bit flippant when I approached the scanner at Bradley, I've never had a real hassle. He asked me "how I wanted to be scanned?" I guess I initially didn't understand his intent but clearly he wanted to know if he should hit the M button or F button. Ultimately, I was scanned without issue.
ReplyDeleteI've had layovers at BWI, Nashville and Midway? and spent time in the concourses, eating either in their food courts or sit down restaurants without hassle.
When mother nature called, I answered by using the "family" restroom.
After arrival at Bradley, I would go to the rental car counters and queue up for my reserved car. Again, I've never had a problem AND sometimes the porter will bring the car right to the door for the lady and her bags!
Ultimately, I've come to accept that casual observers won't even notice a gurl like us in a crowded airport because most are 100% focused on making their flight connections, keeping their kids in line or being self important on their cellphone making "important business deals."
The best answer is to live your life. If someone else doesn't like it, oh well.
Heather
I am pleasantly surprised to read all these stories about successful trips while traveling enfemme! I traveled to Europe this summer and airport security was quite imposing and I actually wondered what it must be like if your appearance did not match your ID. I'm glad to read of these positive experiences! Bon yoyage✈️
ReplyDeleteI'm a girl full time now, I don't miss an opportunity to wear a sun dress when I fly. I often have women TSA be my regular screener, they clock me as biologically male living as a woman. They are always gracious, even cordial, and have complemented my dress, legs, etc., always discreetly. I wear my best lingerie (panties, bras, whatever) just in case I may get examined, but really, mostly for myself. My new US passport gender marker designation is now "X", for NOT MALE, and not female. I DO identify as female, but I'm not genetically female, so I make my peace with X, for now. I even have people, often women, ask me my pronouns. I proudly reply, "SHE / HER". I'm beginning to love being a trans girl almost as much as I've longed to be a genetic girl. Cheers Girls! :)
ReplyDeleteI have never flown pretty, but encountering T-Girl TSA agents has really made me consider it as an option.
ReplyDeleteNorah
Hello all
ReplyDeletei am the one who originally asked Stana the question. i will be in the USA in october and plan to spend most of the trip en femme. i have flown many times en femme in Europe, but i wasn´t sure at all about the USA, especially since some states have anti-transgender laws.
many thanks to all for your advice. i now look forward to it. usually i dress in business style, just to give the impression that i simply belong there. see here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cilii/2433649437
October is a lovely time to visit! I hope your stay is fantastic.
DeleteI've flown pretty five times now, to Atlanta, Georgia, to and from Richmond, Virginia, and Las Vegas. I've had zero issues and have gotten compliments, and a TSA agent who did a double check of my ID after looking at me.
ReplyDeleteHere's flying to Vegas: https://kandis-land.com/travelogue-dee-va-las-vegas-mon-dee/
...and returning...https://kandis-land.com/travelogue-dee-va-las-vegas-fri-dee/
Flying to Richmond, business professional: https://kandis-land.com/walk-away-renee/
And the return: https://kandis-land.com/nailing-it/
So yes, it's certainly doable--and a lot of fun.