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TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags
MTF/FTM Crossdressing
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The thread "TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags" has not received any replies for two months. It has been automatically closed as a result. You may start a new thread on the topic if the information in this thread is not sufficient. |
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Posted:
01-22-2010, 02:13 AM
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TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on BagsWell, flying down to Southern California was not an issue. No problems with security, they didn't bat an eyelash. Flying back, however, was another story. When I went through security at the San Diego airport, oh my. I was feeling a little nervous going through security. There was only a small line so there was little pressure on the TSA people to keep everyone moving. I went through the metal detector and stood by the exit to the x-ray machine to collect my bags. laptop made it through, check. Jacket + cellphone, check. laptop bag with a million cables in it, check. Bag with all my clothes. oh oh. the conveyer belt stopped. My heart sank when I saw the x-ray machine operator squinting at the screen. She was staring at my bag. I was going over in my head the contents of that bag. It had clothes. All my toiletries were in my laptop bag. Nothing but clothes, wig,... and Samatha's breastforms. She called over another person and starting pointing something out. This can't be good. Another TSA person was called over and the conveyer belt started rolling again. *phew* it's going to be ok. Until the TSA person pulled the bag, asked me if it was mine, and told me to get the rest of my things and follow him. Oh, this can't be good. We went over to a table, out in the open, still in the screening area. The TSA person, lets call him, Bob, said "Please. Take a seat." Oh, this cannot be good. Ok, so at this point, I'm starting to look a little nervous. Just barely able to keep calm. I make some small talk, and tell him that I've been sitting all day long and if it's ok, I'd like to stay standing. Bob opens up my bag, and starts rooting around in it. Meanwhile, visions of him pulling out my breastforms in front of everyone and... well, you know the picture. I'm looking at him from a few feet away, and see him stop rooting around. Yep, he's found them. At this point, I'm sure all of the blood has drained from my face and I almost have a look of sheer terror. My heart stopped. I'm sure my reactions are definitely NOT helping the situation. He reaches over and grabs a wand with a cloth patch on the end and starts swabbing something in my bag. Ya, I'm pretty sure I know he wasn't swabbing my lavender nightie or dress shirts. After he's done swabbing, he put the cloth wand into a special machine that runs tests on the cloth for explosive materials. As expected, the machine responds negative for bombs. He then zips up my bag and hands it to me. "Thank you sir, have a nice flight." I stared at him. I must have looked like a deer in headlights. "um, thanks" I responded and tried to smile without looking too jittery. My heart started beating again. Bob never took Samatha's forms out. He was professional, and didn't make a scene, didn't seem to be phased by what he saw. As I was walking away, I looked back, waiting for the snickers, the whispers and subtle pointing. I didn't see any. Bob went about some other duties and was not talking to any of his co-workers. .I quickly rushed to my gate and boarded my flight. TSA. Professional? wha? I am truly at a loss for words, but grateful. So, does anyone else travel with their forms in carry-on bags? Have you had any issues with TSA? -Samatha 
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| The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to SamathaCD For This Useful Post: | ||
Charlotte Sometimes (01-22-2010), Erin (01-23-2010), Jerica Truax (01-23-2010), Kasey (01-22-2010), Rachael67 (01-22-2010), Robin Kem P. (01-22-2010), TxKimberly (01-23-2010) | ||
Posted:
01-22-2010, 02:30 AM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags By the Grace of God I am what I am. (I Cor. 15:10)
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Posted:
01-22-2010, 02:49 AM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags .... Good Grief Charley Brown!
... so did you find out what they did? and why? Did they think your breast forms were explosive??  I love being a girl! ...... OFTEN!! Regards Andine
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Posted:
01-22-2010, 03:39 AM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags "Hi, can I ask you a question, I see these things called Nexus and CanPass, do you know what they are and the differences between them?". Nexus and CanPass btw are kinda like security bypass lines when going through customs at the US/Canada border. Anyways, not only did I not get my question answered, but I got pulled off at the next security checkpoint and got full body searched and all my bags opened up and manually searched. My clothes, everything was all over the table. Thank god I don't carry anything of Samatha's when I travel international. The previous time, I was in a massive throng of people going through security. I saw they had one of those full body scanners. You know, the ones that see through your clothes. There were no TSA people anywhere near me at all, and I made a comment to my co-worker, who was standing next to me. Something like "you know, if I got put into one of those scanners, I'd be scared sh**less". I said it in a very calm, quiet voice. Well, not 20sec later, I got pulled out of line and put into said scanner. Oh, and I'd like to add, I didn't see anyone else get put into the scanner before or after me. ya, so, I've learned the hard way. Never ask questions while going through security. -Samatha
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| The Following User Says Thank You to SamathaCD For This Useful Post: | ||
Kasey (01-22-2010) | ||
Posted:
01-22-2010, 03:49 AM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags I think not only have they seen it all and don't really care, but sometimes partners who are travelling together will put things in each others bags as theirs may be full.
So they can never be sure its for you - and they don't care as long as it's safe.
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| The Following User Says Thank You to Suzy Harrison For This Useful Post: | ||
Maggie (01-22-2010) | ||
Posted:
01-22-2010, 08:57 AM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags I agree with you Suzy, but it is still nice to read that everything went professionally.
Glad you made it through security. I know we should not be embarassed, but I too would be very nervious. I will be flying in February (into the states) and plan to take a few femme items with me. This is reassuring. 
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Posted:
01-22-2010, 12:26 PM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on BagsGlad everything turned out ok. But like you I would be so scared that those forms would be pulled out and it never fails I always run into someone I know at the airport when I travel. For now Rachael stays close to home! .GIF "Rose blooming") 
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Posted:
01-22-2010, 12:39 PM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags Hmmmm, here's me too. I don't fly (I have done once). Don't even have a passport yet. It's not the security that concerns me, but the amount of people that I know or may know me (not as Sarah though) through a couple of the airlines in the UK. Seemingly I know a few that work as cabin staff and also on the ticketing side.
Handy contacts to have should I need to travel, but difficult to hide, at least right now.
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Posted:
01-22-2010, 01:37 PM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags A hair rasing event indeed.
Just make sure everyone puts things back the way they found them. 
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Posted:
01-22-2010, 03:36 PM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags you handled that very well just 1 question did you have to change your panties lol. i dont know what i would have done
Denise  .gif "Girl power") .gif "Hugs")
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Posted:
01-22-2010, 06:26 PM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags It's the way the gel filled bags show up on the x-ray machine, hun! You can bet that each one weighs more than 3 oz's (which is all your allowed as carry on, remmeber?) ... so they had to be looked at. But TSA regulations do allow certain larger quantities of "liquids" to be carried on, and that includes medical prostheses, which breast forms obviously are.
The TSAs are somewhat humorless, though, (it must be part of their training) so it is a good decision to keep your mouth shut in the line. Some odd stuff gets looked at, too, though. I had spilled a cup of starbucks on the top of a suitcase just before I checked it once. The handler who took it from me asked what that liquid on my bag was. I told him "coffee" at the check in station. A month later, when I was buying a ticket from a good friend travel agent, she told me that there was a note in my airline file that I had once checked a bag with liquid spilled on it! WTF!!! Diabolus fecit, ut id facerem! .gif "flirting")
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Posted:
01-22-2010, 07:32 PM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags Quote:
No, didn't have to change my panties, but I swear my heart stopped for about 30 sec. -Samatha
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| The Following User Says Thank You to SamathaCD For This Useful Post: | ||
Maggie (01-22-2010) | ||
Posted:
01-22-2010, 09:08 PM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on BagsAs bad as you felt going through this experience I'm sure you'll be more confident on your next trip.
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Posted:
01-22-2010, 09:16 PM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags It's Friday afternoon. I just finished up work and headed to San Francisco airport. I'm tired was definitely looking forward to a good nights sleep. The line was long at security. Looks like I wasn't the only one heading home for the weekend. I put my bags on the conveyor belt and through the metal detector. I stand by the x-ray machine exit and... Laptop makes it through. check. jacket, cellphone, belt. check. Laptop bag with a million cables and electronics. check Clothes bag. Clothes bag? Oh no. Not again. I looked over to the TSA person manning the x-ray machine. He's staring at the screen and calls over someone else. I'll call this second person, Betty. He points to the screen and asks Betty's opinion. Mumbling about 'something strange.' My heart sinks again. Being the second time around tho. I'm not on the verge of falling apart now. Betty grabs my bag, and looks toward everyone and asks, "Who's bag is this?". I say it's mine. She tells me to collect my things and meet her at the end of the x-ray machine conveyor belt at a table. I look around. It's crowded. really crowded. There is absolutely no privacy at this 'table'. And there's a family with two small boys hanging around right next to the table, taking a long time getting their things back together. Oh, this can't be good. But wait, hey, they were nice the last time, it's not like they... Betty starts opening my bag and taking things out, putting them into a tray. There goes my dress shirts. Samatha's wig (thank god it's in an opaque bag). Oh no, this can NOT be good. I'm glancing around nervously now. the family is still literally standing next to Betty, getting all their things organized. Betty reaches in, I see her begin to lift out some lingerie... and she pauses. Houston, we have visual on the breastforms. So, at this point, I feel like one of those scenes from the Matrix, where time is standing still. Betty is the only one moving. I'm waiting for her to take the rest of Samatha's things out and put them on a tray. I know what she's going to do. Shes going to take out all my things, put them on the tray and run them separately through the x-ray machine, then hand them back to me to re-pack them into my bag. Oh, this can't be good. Betty doesn't remove any of Samatha's things from my bag. She takes her hands out, placing the wig and dress shirts back on top. "Ok, I've seen what I needed to see. Let me run one last test on your bag and you're free to go", she says. Betty takes the bag over to the bomb checking station, wipes down something in my bag (the breastforms, of course). Machine says negative for explosives. She then zips up my bag, hands it to me, and says something like "Thank you sir, have a nice day". As quickly as I can I pack up and head out to my gate. -Samatha
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| The Following User Says Thank You to SamathaCD For This Useful Post: | ||
Rachael Warren (01-23-2010) | ||
Posted:
01-22-2010, 09:37 PM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags
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Posted:
01-22-2010, 10:20 PM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags I hate flying so much now with the time that it takes and the hassles that I just don't do it anymore. I drive everywhere, fortunately, unlike Suzy, I don't have to cross the ocean with a very long snorkel! LOL
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Posted:
01-23-2010, 04:39 AM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags Just last month I was at the Manchester NH airport to see my son off, ( going back to that VERY hot sandy country) . At the securtiy check point I give the Fatherly hand shake and hug. A TSA agent sees this and asks me if I'm family ( well duh ... felt like saying "No, he's my young lover" but I know they don't have any humor) I say yes and she says if I go to the airline counter and ask for an "escort pass" because he's going back in country they'll issue me one if I have an I.D.
Not wanting to miss those last moments with him I tell him to wait for me and I'll be right back. Hustle to the counter, get what I need and head back to the check point. Now, I have two stents in my heart ( long story there ) so I have to be hand wanded when going through these check points. "Put your things on the belt sir" OK no problem, "Your shoes also sir" ( Oh great, wearing stockings, hadn't planned on this) [screw it, not gonna miss this chance] Hold up my "hand wand" card and hear "Male assist security check line 4" Here comes a TSA guy looking like the wrestler "Hay Stack Calhoon" "Step into the sterile area sir." Having done this a few times before I hold out my left arm and put my right one over my heart, expecting the wand to appear any second. Giant guy looks at me and asks what I'm doing. I tell him what I know about this process. "We do things differently here. Extend both arms and I'm going to hand pat you down" Great!!!  REALLY hadn't expected this, I'm wearing my padded underwire bra. "Are those your thinbgs at the end of the belt?" "Yes" "Please put your feet on the painted footprints and keep an eye on your items" Thinking, I'd like to but you're ten feet trall and as wide how can I? I stare straight ahead. "We can do this in private if you wish" "Private?" I think, gee dinner and a movie first would be nice, but I keep quiet and say "No, here is fine with me" Gotta say the giant was professional all the time, even when he "copped a feely" on the front of my shirt. Hands never slowed down while checking me out. "Sit in that chair please while I check the bottom of your feet.: Does the wipe thing with the sensitive paper, put it in the sniffer machine and gets a zero reading. "You may collect your things and have a nice day" Meanwhile, my son is standing back waiting for me and really doesn't see what happened. Hadn't planned on a "Baptism by Fire" introduction to TSA ... but now I know. Maintain a calm appearance, (no matter how you're shaking inside) no jokes, and do what the nice giant says.
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stacyB (01-23-2010) | ||
Posted:
01-23-2010, 07:31 AM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags Quote:
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.gif "No trolls")
talk to the hand 
because there is no 
Posted:
01-23-2010, 07:47 AM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags Remember when flying was a joyous adventure?
And you almost had to dress up in your Sunday best 'cos it was a special event? And everyone was so nice and polite? And ya got food to eat and pillows and magazines ? And if ya winked at the stewardess, she gave you a little set of wings to wear to school to impress your friends? These days it's like the Stations of the Cross, and every step is another torture to humiliate you and make you cringe! And you get to pay for the privilege with expensive tickets, outrageous airport fees and higher taxes! Sheesh! 
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Posted:
01-23-2010, 09:50 AM
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Re: TSA and Breastforms in Carry-on Bags I was grinning the entire time I read this because it was so obvious to me what was coming. As Deja said, the breast forms are gel filled bags, and there are countless signs at the TSA check points telling you that you are only allowed very small amounts of liquids and gels, and that they must be in a small zip lock bag that is sent through the xray machine on it's own. When they detected that gel in your bag, it was clear to them that you had not followed the rules and so your bag was pulled for inspection.
That amount of gel is not allowed in your carry on regardless of how you package it, but the breast forms are technically medical devices and so are exempt. That first airport you went through blew it. They should have caught it and pulled your bag too. Breast forms are really quite close in consistency to some explosives, so the person that failed to stop you the first time could just as easily have missed something that had the potential to bring your aircraft down. Scary aint it? I get a slip in my checked baggage every single time I have my forms in them saying that the TSA had opened and inspected my bag. I like that - it means the system worked, they saw something with the same characteristics as some explosives, and pulled my bag to inspect. I imagine you have figured it out, but when they rubbed a cotton swab across them, they were looking for explosives. They would then have taken that swab to a device, probably a Mass Spectrometer of some sort (my company makes a couple of varieties), and looked to see if it had traces of things that go "boom" on it. As for the TSA being professional, this comes as no surprise to me, and I've told folks for years now that this is the case. The TSA actually trains their people on how to deal with us, and has guidelines and procedures in place specifically for dealing with the transgendered. With the several dozens of flights I've now taken "dressed" or carrying things that made it obvious I was a cross dresser, I've only had two minor hick-ups. One guy wanted to be a jerk when I forgot I had nail polish in my laptop case and a new TSA employee was shocked when I showed her my male ID and had to call a supervisor over. All in all, two very small and minor hiccups out of many trips. Assuming that you are not flying "dressed", my recommendation is to check your things. Yes, they will probably still open and inspect your things, but it will be someplace a long way away from you and with out a group of people looking at you while they rifle through the things in your bag. Yeah, it's gonna cost you 20 minutes waiting for your bags to make it to the baggage claim, but it's a lot less anxiety and so worth it to me. By the way, it's little events like the one you describe here that have made me as confident and bold as I am today. Someone went through your bag, saw your things, looked you in the eye and KNEW you were a cross dresser, and you know what? Nothing happened! No one laughed, God didn't smite you, you didn't die of shame, and they didn't try and make you look or feel like a fool. Quite the contrary, they showed you courtesy and respect and went out of their way to NOT embarrass you. This is the norm - it is NOT the exception. So, now that you know the world does not end when a stranger knows you are a cross dresser, you may feel just a bit safer and bolder in the future. Hugs from Texas, Kimberly Huddle http://www.myspace.com/kimberly_huddle http://flickr.com/photos/txkimberly http://www.youtube.com/user/TxKimberly
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Charlotte Sometimes (01-23-2010), Denise in ny (01-23-2010), Lacelover (01-25-2010), Rachael Warren (01-23-2010), Rachael67 (01-23-2010) | ||
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