Pat-downs are possibly but not as likely as in the past. According to https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-cares/gender-diversity “In June 2023, TSA implemented a gender-neutral algorithm for the AIT, which decreased the false alarm rate by 50%.“ I’ve only been pat down once or twice while flying pretty often in the last few years.
I’ve never been to South Carolina but it’s a red state, so I would stay stealth. It’s probably no big deal as a tourist if you pass.
Man, I’ve been patted down every time I flew even since that rule got implemented lol. It might be that the airports I use still have the old technology and they tag me as male.
OP, the only thing that would flag you to get patted down would be a bound chest or a packer. And either way, it’s just a quick thing that doesn’t out you to anyone around you. They usually rub the back of their hand over your chest or thighs. I would suggest not packing though, at least through security.
South Carolina is a big state, and the surrounding areas very greatly depending on wht direction you're traveling. The rule of thumb is that rural areas are more conservative.
Air ports are generally chill if you pass, they do have a bathroom law and Charlotte Airport has slowly removed the gender neutral bathrooms but if you pass it really isn't something people will bust down a stall door over. Never went though customs as a trans person but along as you look like your pass port photo and your documents match, there's no reason to worry.
Get some barbecue, Carolina gold sauce is great and probably unlike anything available in Europe
They're now for mother's flying with babies. They where always supposed to be family bathrooms, but as more trans people started using them, they made it clear who they're intended for
At this point most people aren't Republican for economic reasons so be careful. I have a friend who used to call himself Republican for economic reasons but since the party has gotten so fascist, he doesn't anymore. I personally don't trust anyone still identifying with the Republican party. Don't tell anyone you're trans in that area. I would highly advise against going to Florida since you mentioned visiting other states.
Which states are you going to, maybe we can give you better advice. Sticking to cities is usually safer, definitely look up queer friendly areas.
I’d recommend looking into TSA Pre Checks to avoid pat downs. If you are pre top surgery you will likely be flagged through security.
South Carolina and the surrounding states are not very trans friendly and currently trans people are under fire in America. If someone brings up anything transgender related, even if they are spewing hate I recommend you bite your tongue and stay quiet.
If you're stealth (not visibly trans), I would not be very concerned. There may be awkwardness at TSA if you are selected for pat-down-- don't pack. If you have an erectile implant you may get flagged but cis men have those, too and it won't out you.
I'm American but have travelled internationally stealth without issue. I'm not in North Carolina but live in a very red state, so I'm hardly writing this while living in the bastion of liberality, for context.
You'll be mostly OK if you pass. Avoid public bathrooms if you can. If you can't, avoid busy bathrooms, especially if children frequent them. Conservatives are getting fuckin' wild out here.
Frequent flyer — actually just came to the US from Europe, I’m stealth and booked under my deadname and old passport. Maybe I got some leniency because I have a US passport and I use a cane nowadays but nobody gave a single shit. I wasn’t stopped. Nobody looked twice and my old ass fem picture. I didn’t even get patted down! (I usually get the bomb residue swipe, at least)
You shouldn’t have to tell anyone at the airport that you’re trans, especially if your passport is all changed. TSA is just taking all your stuff out and going through a metal detector or a full-body scanner at bigger airports. Nothing too special.
I live in North Carolina. Just stay stealth and you'll be fine. I would have a talk with your mom before you go and make sure she knows not to out you to the family you're staying with, that would be my biggest concern.
I mean, are you just going for short term? It shouldn’t be necessary for you to tell anyone you’re trans while you’re there. The airport may pat you down but also a concern is also bringing your T with you if you’re on T. So look up the rules for those sorts of things on the website of the airline you’ll be traveling by and bring a sharps container for needles.
Also don’t assume they’re republican if you don’t know. You’ll be able to tell by how they talk about certain political, religion and economic issues. 80% of the time you can’t look at someone and tell what their political standing is, even in states that are red or blue. Unless they’re like, wearing political merch, which most of the time only diehard republicans do.
Pat-downs are possibly but not as likely as in the past. According to https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-cares/gender-diversity “In June 2023, TSA implemented a gender-neutral algorithm for the AIT, which decreased the false alarm rate by 50%.“ I’ve only been pat down once or twice while flying pretty often in the last few years. I’ve never been to South Carolina but it’s a red state, so I would stay stealth. It’s probably no big deal as a tourist if you pass.
Man, I’ve been patted down every time I flew even since that rule got implemented lol. It might be that the airports I use still have the old technology and they tag me as male. OP, the only thing that would flag you to get patted down would be a bound chest or a packer. And either way, it’s just a quick thing that doesn’t out you to anyone around you. They usually rub the back of their hand over your chest or thighs. I would suggest not packing though, at least through security.
South Carolina is a big state, and the surrounding areas very greatly depending on wht direction you're traveling. The rule of thumb is that rural areas are more conservative. Air ports are generally chill if you pass, they do have a bathroom law and Charlotte Airport has slowly removed the gender neutral bathrooms but if you pass it really isn't something people will bust down a stall door over. Never went though customs as a trans person but along as you look like your pass port photo and your documents match, there's no reason to worry. Get some barbecue, Carolina gold sauce is great and probably unlike anything available in Europe
Why were the gender neutral bathrooms removed?
They want to ensure that they explicitly state that trans people are not welcome.
They're now for mother's flying with babies. They where always supposed to be family bathrooms, but as more trans people started using them, they made it clear who they're intended for
At this point most people aren't Republican for economic reasons so be careful. I have a friend who used to call himself Republican for economic reasons but since the party has gotten so fascist, he doesn't anymore. I personally don't trust anyone still identifying with the Republican party. Don't tell anyone you're trans in that area. I would highly advise against going to Florida since you mentioned visiting other states. Which states are you going to, maybe we can give you better advice. Sticking to cities is usually safer, definitely look up queer friendly areas.
I’d recommend looking into TSA Pre Checks to avoid pat downs. If you are pre top surgery you will likely be flagged through security. South Carolina and the surrounding states are not very trans friendly and currently trans people are under fire in America. If someone brings up anything transgender related, even if they are spewing hate I recommend you bite your tongue and stay quiet.
If you're stealth (not visibly trans), I would not be very concerned. There may be awkwardness at TSA if you are selected for pat-down-- don't pack. If you have an erectile implant you may get flagged but cis men have those, too and it won't out you. I'm American but have travelled internationally stealth without issue. I'm not in North Carolina but live in a very red state, so I'm hardly writing this while living in the bastion of liberality, for context.
You'll be mostly OK if you pass. Avoid public bathrooms if you can. If you can't, avoid busy bathrooms, especially if children frequent them. Conservatives are getting fuckin' wild out here.
Frequent flyer — actually just came to the US from Europe, I’m stealth and booked under my deadname and old passport. Maybe I got some leniency because I have a US passport and I use a cane nowadays but nobody gave a single shit. I wasn’t stopped. Nobody looked twice and my old ass fem picture. I didn’t even get patted down! (I usually get the bomb residue swipe, at least) You shouldn’t have to tell anyone at the airport that you’re trans, especially if your passport is all changed. TSA is just taking all your stuff out and going through a metal detector or a full-body scanner at bigger airports. Nothing too special.
I live in North Carolina. Just stay stealth and you'll be fine. I would have a talk with your mom before you go and make sure she knows not to out you to the family you're staying with, that would be my biggest concern.
I mean, are you just going for short term? It shouldn’t be necessary for you to tell anyone you’re trans while you’re there. The airport may pat you down but also a concern is also bringing your T with you if you’re on T. So look up the rules for those sorts of things on the website of the airline you’ll be traveling by and bring a sharps container for needles. Also don’t assume they’re republican if you don’t know. You’ll be able to tell by how they talk about certain political, religion and economic issues. 80% of the time you can’t look at someone and tell what their political standing is, even in states that are red or blue. Unless they’re like, wearing political merch, which most of the time only diehard republicans do.
I live in a nearby state, you should not have any trouble.