Article: Four Ways That The TSA Is Making Flying Easier

[Carolyn Marie]

https://www.aclu.org/news/lgbtq-rights/four-ways-the-tsa-is-making-flying-easier-for-transgender-people

 

I've been there and been through that, so yes, this is welcome news.

 

Carolyn Marie

[VickySGV]

I read this and frankly do not see where it does address the major issues we have had in the near or medium distance future.  It is not nearly the machinery as it is the attitude of the operators of the gadgets and their "enforcement outlook."  I can hope for things to be ok, and I have never really had the indignities that some claim, but TSA is going to have to show a record going forward that they money is where this glad-handing publicity is.

[Susan R]

2 hours ago, Carolyn Marie said:

I've been there and been through that, so yes, this is welcome news.

Me too, Carolyn Marie. I have taken several flights since the start of transition and never had any TSA groping issues until the flight for my GRS. I was delayed 10 mins so they could track down the female on-duty supervisor to pat me down as the others behind me proceeded quickly through the line. I never revealed I was trans because I frankly didn’t think it was any of their business and didn’t feel it would’ve helped my situation anyway…it’s all about following ‘procedures’. Of course, they found an anomaly on the scan exactly where you would expect them to find one on an pre-op MTF. I’m sure they knew exactly what ‘it’ was but they still needed an intense pat down in my crotch area. Sidenote: None of this happened after GRS🤔 Will wonders never cease?

 

From the article…

“The TSA stated that the new scanning technology will “advance civil rights and improve the customer experience of travelers who previously have been required to undergo additional screening due to alarms in sensitive areas,” with a rollout coming later this year.”

 

Oh! This sound so very technical..lol OK, Alright, it’s nothing but political double talk as far as I can tell. Unless the scan quickly informs them that you’re a pre-op trans woman, it’s not likely going to be able to do what they say. OK, this must mean it’s going to show them even more sophisticated detail….which I believe is another strike against one’s civil rights.

 

My 2¢

Susan R🌷

[MirandaB]

Bought some plane tickets the other day (that we ended up cancelling the next day because reasons) and wondered why the airline needs to know your gender at all? 

 

 

 

 

[DeeDee]

@RhondaS My assumption is that these things are similar to why everyone is photographed before going on the Niagra Cruise boats. It's main purpose is to help with identification in case of a major catastrophe, but it also helps law enforcement track down crims. As far as the scans go, I would agree that it is people and their presonal prejudices that are the most likely cause of hold ups and "random" stop searches and more training and accountability for this would go a long way. Some of the small airports I have gone through just have a 1 in 3 or 1 in 5 pat down system so while it could be worked on it helps keep objectivity and queues moving.

[KathyLauren]

I only flew once while I was pre-op, and that flight was to go for my surgery.  I was selected for the scanner, so I told the attendant to press the blue button.  All was fine.  (I guess it was a comment on the size, or lack thereof, of my boobs that they didn't trigger an anomaly for "blue-button" people!)

 

The security staff were very professional, and I have no complaints about them.  Of course, that was CATSA, not TSA, so maybe there is a cultural difference.  If there are problems with the staff, upgrading the technology won't fix it.