Packing and Airport Security: How to Avoid Airport Mishaps
Updated October 2026.
by: Aaron Capener
It’s finally here! Tickets are purchased, clothes are packed, alarms are set and you’re ready to go! But wait… What do you do about your packer??
Deep breath. We’ve got your back. Here's what to expect at airport security, plus some tips for getting through it.
Metal Detectors vs. Body Scanners vs. Pat Downs
Airport security can be an incredibly stressful space for trans folks. From humiliating questions to uncomfortable pat-downs, the TSA can do more than take the fun out of traveling. For those among us who are also immigrants or of Arab descent, a hiccup in the security line can have devastating consequences. And while advocacy groups and activists keep pushing for trans-sensitive policy, we've still got a long way to go.
Here is a general rundown of what you can expect when facing metal detectors, Body Scanners, and Pat Downs as it relates to packing.
Metal Detectors
Because these gadgets are only checking for metal on the individual, unless you’re packing with a DIY packer of nuts and bolts, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
The metal detector will not pick up on the silicone packer in your pants.
However, most standard security lanes now use full-body scanners. You're most likely to get a walk-through metal detector at a smaller airport or in a TSA PreCheck lane.
Side note: if you are a frequent traveler and are able to afford PreCheck, it's still worth a look for quicker trips through security. Just know it doesn't guarantee you'll skip the body scanner. Some PreCheck lanes already use them, and in October 2026 TSA said it plans new PreCheck lanes with body scanners at seven airports. We know PreCheck is not an option for everyone, so either way, read on.
Body Scanners (Millimeter Wave Scanner)
From personal experience as well as from polling the community, we’ve found that most issues trans people face in airport security stem from these full-body scanners.
For years, the TSA officer pressed a "male" or "female" button based on how they thought you looked, and the machine checked your body against that setting. In 2022, TSA said it would update the scanners with a gender-neutral setting, and its transgender passengers page still says that rollout was done by June 2023.
In practice, it's not that simple. Since early 2025, there have been reports of the gender-neutral option being removed at some airports, and travelers still describe officers picking a gender before the scan. So expect it to vary by airport.
Either way, the scanner flags "anomalies," and a packer, a binder, or a body the machine doesn't expect can all set it off. When flagged, an alarm is raised and a TSA agent must pat you down to make sure you’re not carrying anything that's a threat.
Of course, this process can be especially fraught for gender non-conforming folks. The TSA's tech has been built around the gender binary, and the fact that there may be no "correct" gender selection can be incredibly distressing to a GNC person.
Where the old male/female setting is still in use, how closely you are "read" matches how the machine "reads" your body will determine whether or not you are pulled aside for a pat-down.
Likewise, trans guys who get read as cis often report that they are flagged for not packing. There is a conspicuous lack of package where the machine believes there should be one and this lack sets off an alarm that must then be cleared.
Less often, trans guys who get read as cis report being flagged even though they are packing. It's unclear if this is a false positive (there are many reports that show the millimeter scanners can be unreliable) or if the machine can pick up a packer as separate from a person's body. People report all kinds of different experiences with packing and airport security.
What is clear, however, is that any time an alarm goes off, a TSA agent must "clear the alarm" by giving you a pat-down. You can also skip the scanner and ask for a pat-down instead, but expect it to be a thorough one.
Since you might be flagged either way, I suggest you do what feels most comfortable. If you think you might get flagged, stay calm and read on to know what to expect.
Pat Downs
If you’re planning on packing when going through airport security and are selected to receive a pat-down, I would first recommend deep breaths to calm the anxiety of a stranger patting your groin.
Who does your pat-down changed in 2025. TSA now says male officers pat down male passengers and female officers pat down female passengers. The officer goes by how you look at first. If you tell them they've got it wrong, the pat-down is supposed to follow the sex you tell them. Here is what one transmale traveler reported when he was flagged while packing,
"I recently packed through airport security for the first time and the body scanner definitely picked up on the fact that something was out of the ordinary. A TSA agent patted me down, grabbed both sides of my sweatpants near my quads and gave them a little shake. Then he nodded his approval and let me pass."
If you aren’t sure what to expect during a pat-down, you can check out this video, here, to see exactly how intrusive it will be.
The pat-down process should be the same if you are flagged while not packing, however, many transguys report distressing experiences in this case. For example, when I wasn’t packing, I was at first assigned a male agent, and he patted up my leg and froze when he realized I was missing something. He called over a female TSA agent to finish the pat-down while I gathered myself mentally and then continued my travels.
This type of public humiliation can be hugely upsetting but know that you can speak up. TSA's own page still says you can tell the officer your gender identity and ask for an officer of that gender. Your stated identity does NOT need to match the gender designation on your documentation. If you're non-binary, officers are told the pat-down has to be done by an officer of one sex, so ask for a supervisor if you can't sort it out.
I should also note that if at any time you are uncomfortable with being pat-down in public, you have the right to request a private screening. You also have the right to bring a traveling companion or someone you choose into the private screening as a witness. You should never be asked to lift or remove clothing to show a packer, binder, or any sensitive area. If that happens, ask for a supervisor.
Prosthetics and TSA Cares
A packer counts as a prosthetic. You can tell the officer where it is before screening starts, and you don't have to take it off. TSA says removing a prosthetic is your choice. It may still get a closer look, a wand, or a swab of your hands.
If you want help ahead of time, call TSA Cares at (855) 787-2227 or fill out their online form at least 72 hours before your flight. You can ask for a Passenger Support Specialist to meet you at the checkpoint. It won't get you out of screening or speed it up, but it can help things go smoother.
Traveling with T too? Read our tips on traveling with testosterone, syringes and all.
Your ID
The name on your ID has to match the name on your boarding pass. TSA says it doesn't look at the gender on your ID at the ID check. You'll need a REAL ID (look for the star) or a passport for domestic flights. Without one, TSA charges a $45 fee to verify who you are.
Passports are tougher right now. Since early 2025, the State Department only issues new and renewed passports with the sex assigned at birth, and there's no more X option. The Supreme Court let that policy take effect in November 2025 while the lawsuit against it (Orr v. Trump) keeps going. A passport you already have with an X or an updated marker stays valid until it expires. Changing your name on a passport now can also flip the marker back, so talk to a lawyer first. For the latest, check Lambda Legal's ID guide and A4TE's airport know-your-rights page.
TSA Agents
No matter the case, if you are having an issue with a TSA agent for any reason, calmly explain your situation. Make sure you know your rights, but never raise your voice or threaten a TSA agent. You can always ask for a supervisor. Hopefully, with respectful communication, they will realize your identity and get the appropriate team member over to assist you.
Drop us a comment below with any more packing and airport security tips and tricks you use to avoid mishaps at the airport to help out other guys!
Safe travels!