THE FRIENDLY SKIES




BY RACHEL RENE BOYD


Like so many things about crossdressing, I can't tell you why I have always
wanted to take an airline trip en femme. All I really know is that it's something
I always wanted to do. Talking with other Tri-Ess sisters, it seems many of us have
the same fantasy. Until recently, one of the concerns about flying was the need to
present proof of identification to the airline. Thanks to Rho Tau, that hurdle was removed.

Rho Tau is offering a Transgender Identification card that shows both your male and
female pictures and identifying information. When presented with other identification, like
a driver's license, it is sufficient for the airlines to allow you to board. I got my new
Transgender ID card recently and just couldn't wait to try it out. The opportunity for my
adventure came during a business trip to Houston. I had been there on business for
several days and "dressed for dinner" each evening. I decided the trip home would be a
good opportunity to experience flying as Rachel. The trip would be from Houston to
Washington DC, with a change of planes in Chicago. If that wasn't enough, I would be
returning my rental car to the airport in Houston, and hiring a cab in DC. Plus I was solo,
so I didn't have a friend to rely on if I got into an uncomfortable situation. Rachel was
committed to being Rachel all the way home! I had been in Houston at an internal company
meeting. My plan was to simply leave the meeting a little early on the last day and change
clothes before heading out to the airport. When the time came, I slipped out and went back
to my hotel. After my transformation, I left carried my bags to the rental car, ready to
depart for the airport. Then I noticed a run in my pantyhose. Now I certainly couldn't
travel all evening looking like that! Fortunately I had a new pair of pantyhose with me.

Then I realized I had just locked the hotel room with the key inside. So I had to go
to the lobby to request a new key. Of course the desk clerk had to see some identification.
I handed her my driver's license and the Transgender ID. She barely glanced at them
and gave me a new key. So now I know the Transgender ID serves its intended purpose,
even though I was wearing a wig quite different from the one on my Transgender ID.

Off to the airport, with a quick stop to refuel the rental car. At the rental car lot, all
goes well. The female agent who processes my return has a quizzical look on her face,
but nothing untoward. The rental car bus is crowded. No one seems to be paying any
attention to me. But I did notice that the only other lady on the bus sat down next to me.
Ever notice how women do seem to sit together in crowded places like buses and waiting
rooms? Men do too, but you notice it more with women, as there tends to be fewer women
traveling during the business day. This lady sat next to me like it was the natural thing to
do. In the airport, I went up to the counter to check my bag. I told the gate agent my last
name, where I was going, and handed her my drivers' license and Transgender ID. She too
looks at them only briefly, accepting what she sees without hesitation. She smiles sweetly,
hands me my boarding pass and says, "Enjoy your trip." Wow, that was easy! Then I board
the airplane. It is packed, and I'm in a center seat. But I'm prepared for that. I have a romance
novel I am planning to read so I won't have to talk to the people around me if I don't want to.

It takes forever to work my way down the aisle to the back of the plane. I make
eye contact with one or two women who give me a brief disapproving look. But most
people are oblivious to my presence. As I get to the back of the plane, there's someone
I know! In fact I see six guys from my company who have also ducked out of our meeting early.
I don't know why I didn't anticipate this would happen. I suppose I thought no one else would
be leaving as early as I did. You have to be prepared for the unexpected when crossdressed.
But seeing these guys didn't cause me any real concern because I know that even my close
friends don't recognize me in drag. So I calmly took my seat, and no one was the wiser.
The flight to Chicago was uneventful. I was sandwiched between a rather large lady,
and a young man, neither of whom paid me any attention. I was content to read my book.

I changed planes in Chicago. Wouldn't you know it, I had to walk from one concourse
to another. Fortunately, I was wearing rather sensible 2-inch heels, so the 15-minute walk
was not a problem. The second flight was less crowded and also uneventful.
I finally got to Washington about midnight. I claimed my bag, hailed a cab, and rode home.
My wife was already in bed asleep, so I didn't have to explain my adventure to her.

Why did I want to fly en femme? I don't know. Certainly it would have been easier
to travel en homme. Part of it, I'm sure, was just the adventure-finding out if I
could get away with it. But now I know that I can go pretty much anywhere I want to.

This article first appeared in A Chesapeake Rose, the newsletter
of the Tri-Ess chapter (Baltimore-Washington) of Chi Epislon Sigma.