Flying as a transgender person in 2025 is possible, so far...

Hi and welcome back,

With the last posting I announced a week away to see my Dad, older sister and her husband. The flight out from Vegas was chaotic. Delays and cancellations and poor communication from the airline led to losing an entire day of vacation. The original flight was departing Tuesday night with arrival around 8:00 am at Bradley. I checked in 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time, went to bed, got up for work, get there and open my phone to get the "two factor authenticator" allowing me to access the computer network and see a string of messages from the airline. First up was a message announcing potential weather delays which came through after midnight. Next was a series of messages received in short succession around 7:15 am telling of my flight's cancellation and if I chose to not fly, I could get a refund. Next was the details of the new flight and times. Leaving Vegas around 6:00 am and arriving at Bradley around 8:00 pm. Ugh. Ultimately, I didn't get there until about 10:45 pm after a series of weather delays and airport closures due to stormy weather. Got to the house around 11:30.

A bit of advice for transgender travelers, make sure your gender marker on your airline itinerary matches your "official state issued ID gender marker."  I vaguely remember changing my marker to X with the airline but my ID matches my photo taken in 2012. This added an extra trip from the security check point back to the airline check-in counter and if you're not careful it could really put you behind schedule. The security line was shorter than the one at check-in. It added about ten minutes to my trip through the airport. 

Yes, Heather flew from Vegas to Bradley. That was the only real problem I'd encountered. Because of the flight changes, my boarding position changed for the worse. Way back of the plane for both legs of the outbound flight. Among the last in and out of the plane. I discovered the "assistance" restrooms within the concourse at Bradley on this trip. I didn't want to shock my sister so I used the restroom and switched my top to a male t-shirt and removed my auburn hair and went natural. 

• I never had a time where I was able to come out to her. 
• I did show off my nails. I was honest about my natural nails constantly breaking, splitting and causing bleeding. Telling how it was one of the best decisions I've made.
• During this trip there was never a time when I wasn't wearing a bra and C or D breastforms. I don't know which I brought.
• No mention was made about this by my family.
• Visiting friends in New Hampshire, no mention was made about my nails or breast size. The host of Saturday evening has a transgender child. Usually, his family doesn't stick around long but this visit was much different. Wife and T child shared dinner with the friends and the conversation was amazing. It was pretty great.

It was a quiet visit. Aside from the trip to New Hampshire, I didn't do anything. 

For the return trip I wore basically the same clothes with a button up shirt over my blouse, found another "assistance" restroom and put myself back together for the long, uneventful flight west.  

What color did pick for my nails? Do I like them? What is the plan for the future of my nails? This and many other questions a will be answered below!

My nails have the color of a cup of "regular" coffee from Dunkin Donuts. The salon had just received a new color selection palette. I also learned that there is an option of matte finish or glossy! I picked the matte. 

Do I like how they look? Yep! I love the color and shape. While looking at the color choices, I saw one that in brick red. I'm doing that in two weeks with the matte finish. For the October choice, I think I'm doing a pink tourmaline look since it's my birthstone. 

For now, I'm signing off. I'll post again soon.

Thanks for stopping in

Heather

The state of travel in 2025.

Hi,

I recently shared that I'm going to see my family again. I'll be flying from Vegas to Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, CT. I'm due to get my nails done in about a week. I have to make some decisions. Do I go subtle or boldly? At this time, they're a root beer/cream soda/golden cat's eye metallic with an almond shape.

And do I fly fully presenting as Heather and shock my sister when she sees her baby sister in real life for the first time? When I'm there, I'll be seeing people I know in real life. Do I go big, bright and bold with my nails? There are people who won't be expecting to see a gender non-conforming person visiting them. The people who have no idea about this important part of me. Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. 

I'm not taking my nails down to their natural state for anything. Getting fake nails was one of the best choices I've ever made for myself. I love the fact that they don't break or split and they always get compliments, ALWAYS!

Maybe a subtle color will be right. Ugh, BORING! 

I do have to bring male clothes. Regardless of the nail situation, family and friends, I'm hoping to have at least one day where Heather can get out. Also, I think I've chosen to fly presenting as female, especially given the current opinion coming from DC. Tom Petty sang about how he "Won't Back Down" and if I give in to political pressure, I've released the autonomy over my life. We can't give up. 

What a bunch of blabbing up there! I'm all over the place. We'll see if I have the mental capacity to proofread it or will I just hit publish? (I'm guessing "publish.") (Nope, still scattered but did some editing.)

We can't give up. 

Here's a photo of the Goldfield, NV firehouse and their antique fire engine, taken 8/7/22. My kids and I went to Hot August Nights in Reno back in 2022 and when we passed through Goldfield, the annual Goldfield Days event was wrapping up. This trip was the first "going away" trip where Heather went without a way to chicken out and wear male clothes. I'm sure I've told the tale in this forum. It was the beginning of the best next chapter (current chapter) of my life and why I twice said "we can't give up."

Regarding my upcoming trip and the hopes for Heather time, I already have plans to see friends in Southeastern New Hampshire in boy mode and I would like to visit places like Salem and Salisbury, Mass or maybe Hampton, NH. I do have two swimsuits! These thoughts stirred the pot of ideas, now I'm looking into staying a night out there so I can have a day to myself. It would save lots of driving. I'll talk to my sister. 

Every one of us is living a life. Whether you're conforming or nonconforming with societal norms, we all lose if the bullies win. 

I'll update y'all on what happens in the next episode of "As the Heather Turns."

Thanks for reading my goofy page. I hope it's entertaining.

Heather