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No, I didn’t mean on a broomstick. Though that could be a fantasy I suppose!
I meant travelling through airport security controls.
Being largely a timid and slightly concealed ‘under dresser’, the prospect of seeing my 46c bra and forms on that security x-ray image would be perhaps embarrassing. Even suspender (garter) clips causing the metal scanner to go peep-peep-peep or whatever it might do, might be a tad reddening. Especially to other passengers no doubt looking on, intrigued.
I have never tried to go through the scanner to see, though I did try to research TSA guidelines a few years back. I resorted to popping my en femme wardrobe (including my puppy forms, protected in trainer socks) in my tiny suitcase, only to find their scanner instantly picked up the forms in all their glory despite being ‘nestled away’. Challenged, “What are these?!”, I decided to risk the rubber glove in solitary and stood my ground. “They’re breast inserts. Forms.” Meeting still a furrowed questioning look, I offered perhaps the more accessible “Boobies!!” in a definitely louder and slightly defiant knight-takes-bishop voice. I saw the whirr-whirr brain cell cogitation and was resigning myself to them being confiscated, barrelled over amidst the highest security cortège to a remote compound and duly blown up, executed. My basque (also nestled ‘innocently’ between my man-shirts) would simply have to be filled with socks while away for my vacation week on the Greek island. Not my preferred choice by any means. The rook stayed calmly protecting the king, her look softened, I was allowed to stuff them back unceremoniously in my valise. I moved on swiftly, heart slightly pumping but defiant and determined, somehow morally secure.
I always check my bag now, still wondering whether they cause any raised eyebrows behind the scenes. They haven’t as yet. But it’s all part of the secret world of an ‘under cover’ agent.
How do you travel-fly?
I have flown dozens of times in the US. Not sure how different it is in the UK. I experienced the same issue when I packed my forms in the carry on suitcase. I also had to go to an embarrassing room when I was under-dressing with a corset in drab that also tripped the scanner.
However my experiences while dressed are completely different. I do avoid any metal in my shapewear and would recommend not wearing metal garters. I dress with silicone forms and Dresstech silicone hip pads. The only issues I have had was a few times they patted my shoulders I assume to verify I was wearing a bra. I did have an issue one time when they were allowing shoes through the metal scanner and the metal support in my heals tripped it. I had to step back and put the heals on the belt.
It is a scary experience feeling like you are trapped the first few times as there is no running back to the car. After a few times though the experience is great and I fly enfemme as often as the opportunity presents it self.
I did write an article about my experiences. https://www.crossdresserheaven.com/flying-pretty/
@valentina16 I've only done it once, admittedly mostly just to see what would happen.
It was a non-issue. Nobody cared, nobody stared, I was not in the slightest way hindered or questioned. Apart from one very keen-eyed young woman with excellent taste who told me I looked amazing, it was no different than flying in guy-mode. 🙂
Airport → https://www.crossdresserheaven.com/photo/airport-travel/
That’s fascinating - if you show up at the TSA station dressed female but present a male ID I would have thought they might give you grief.
then again i panicked just showing my ID to get into a night club for a performance. Thankfully the lady at the door didn’t bat an eye when I assure her that was me in the photo 🤗
TSA only cares about security for the airport and flights. They do not care what we wear as long as it does not affect their mission. They are trained to deal with trans/CD travelers. You may get the occasional jerk who holds up a corset for others to see, but they are trained not to. Not that we are likely to complain, but such behavoir would get a repremand of some sort if we did.
Most other countries seem to do the same. As an example, I was passing through TSA wearing a bra that showed up on a scan. It was little squares at the clap and underwire, very generic. I got a quick pat down by a trainee and he was a bit fluxomed by his findings. I simply said I am wearing a bra and the senior trainer said thank and have a nice flight. No doubt he then went on to explain to the trainee that some men wear bras.
There is nothing wrong with wearing en femme items fully or partially, or having such things in your carry on, but they may cause an inquitery or inspection. Nothing will come of it, but if you will be embarssed best not to travel as such. I have never flown fully en femme, but have traveled a lot undressed and with fun things in my bag, and never had an issue other then saying, yes I am wearing a bra. I have had my carry on searched many times for other, including just random searches, many times and never an issue with what is inside.
I’ve gone thru TSA lines several times in the past wearing panties and a pad, never been searched for that, usually a sweaty area from carrying my backpack. I’ve looked on the scanner screens and the pad does not show
Thank you all for the recounts of your experiences and the reassurances. This is something I want to do at some point so knowing it shouldn't be a big deal (and providing tips on how to make it less of an issue) is really great to read.
As I said, the TSA doesn't care, nor do the other passengers standing in line. Everyvody just wants to have a safe flight. Even if a mean agent holds up a bra or corset, just laugh and move on as you will never see any of them again. The only real concern is if you are traveling with somebody that you would rather them not know about your passion.
Hi Valentina, This was just mentioned at TGH and here's part of my response from there.... Just go and state whatever sex is listed on your documents as you and correct. I proudly and loudly announce to the TSA folks that I'm intersex and fly dressed as a woman while my documents still list me as M. I'm always flagged. They usually talk to me for 10 seconds and want to touch my upper body and then send me on my way. I wouldn't say anything to them unless you're flagged in the machine and given a pat-down. Go with pride and a sense of adventure. I always wear a body clinging stretchy top that they can pat through or I can just pull part way up for them if they really want to know what's underneath (they only pat my super model non-male top, which is about half of the time). There's not much to see on my skinny bottom so they leave that alone. The machines just can't figure out what to do with some of our bodies. If they complain about gel filled forms just refer to them as a prosthesis and that way they should be allowed. If you put forms in carry on they can technically refuse them since they are a gel. If you really don't want a problem then just put your forms in stowed luggage (not carry on). Remember they can't really afford to back the lines up or have people miss planes. Be calm and polite and you should be ok. Safe Journey, Marg
it SOUNDS like a lot of fun but I think by hour 3 of the flying process the novelty would wear off!!
Reading the replies, having travelled through the width a breadth of the Middle East, I can assure you that security in those areas of the world are not the "nice and open minded" TSA security agents within the US / UK or Europe. Just wanted people to be aware.
I have flown underdressed. Was paranoid of the metal detector going off if I wore a bra, so I wore a boobtube that removed the risk of that also wore knickers and a control brief with pants hose so I had no metal at all. On the top of my checked.in baggage was my breastfeeding forms, bra and girdle I got changed into at the airport on the other end.