Bob CollinsShadi Petosky, a cartoon and comic writer and producer, regularly flies between Minneapolis and Los Angeles, she says. She was stuck in Miami yesterday, trying to get a flight to Minneapolis, because she’s a transgender woman and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wouldn’t let her on a plane.
Petosky revealed her “reality”, as she calls it but that wasn’t good enough. She tweeted her entire ordeal, giving the rest of us a chance to see a day in the life of a trans.
I am being held by the TSA in Orlando because of an "anomaly" (my penis)
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
The TSA at the Orlando Airport told me I couldn't take photos but this is denigrating. I have missed my flight pic.twitter.com/PHwBLiJ0cB
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
The TSA has left me in a room alone. There is an officer holding the door. pic.twitter.com/aFA0cQxAGx
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
TSA agent Bramlet told me to get back in the machine as a man or it was going to be a problem.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
TSA agents are now saying their are explosives alarm from my hands and the officers gloves when she gave me a full body pat down.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
I asked TSA agent Bramlet if he had any training in trans issues. He said "I know what I am doing"
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
I fly all the time and this has never happened. I really thought the TSA was good about trans issues. I am so dumb.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
Cop asked me what sex I was. I told him I wasn't going to answer that question. I am complying but come on.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
They're telling me they have to take my phone. I told them that I want to use this to keep a record of what is happening
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
A man a brown suit came and whispered to TSA agent Sean San Roman to make sure I am not taking photos or video.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
There are now 2 police officers, 1 explosives specialist and four TSA agents. They're taking my phone for screening
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
I am through. It was about 40 minutes, 2 full body pat downs, fully disassembled luggage. I missed my flight. pic.twitter.com/wLTvP3md9W
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
I don't think my body is an anomaly. I like tons of people with my body. Can there be more buttons?
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
They told me to rebook my flight at the gate, I rebook my flight at the counter I will have to go through screening and would be reflagged.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
I am going to look for any open American Airlines gate in the airport to rebook. I am prob being hyper vigilant about logging publically.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
A TSA agent is telling me to leave the airport. I asked them to please call a supervisor, I just want to get to an American Airlines gate
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
TSA told me to rebook at the gate but it is closed so they are making me leave until a
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
To get a new boarding pass through American Airlines. So I am back out of the secure area being escorting by a police officer.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
They told me to get myself together, I am sobbing, not belligerent.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
At American Airlines ticket counter trying to rebook. They say there are no more flights to Minneapolis today. I am asking for anywhere.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
American Airlines says that if I want to for sure fly out of Orlando today it's $955.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
People in the community are talking crowd funding initiatives but please don't. Class privileges aren't my current issue. Much love.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
My point of listing the prices is not to get money. It's to show cost when the TSA detains trans bodies (Plus time, denigration)
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
Reporters are calling me but please leave the lines open for American Airlines or actor Kyle Chandler.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
American Airlines manager is telling me that "in the future ask for a private screening"
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
I literally want to no lectures from American Airlines on how to travel while trans. I want the same privileges as cis people.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
They can put me on standby for an 8pm flight to Miami but there are storms there. Can anyone talk to whomever runs weather in Miami?
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
I guess everyone knows about my junk now. 99% sure I'll regret this tomorrow.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
I'm not going to lie. I zero percent want to be googled as the transsexual who's junk got flagged in Orlando.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
When the police officer asked me what sex I was I told him I wasn't to respond. He said this was not a game. Are trans civil rights?
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
TSA supervisor Ramon luckily heard the officer and stepped in and said me disclosing sex/gender was not an issue.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
News to me! I am in the corner charging my phone. How? Where? https://t.co/44rTXFBLBO
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
Then he told me I looked like a woman to him. Which I am sure he meant as a compliment, but what if I didn't? https://t.co/XRLNGtrP6E
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
I have to use the bathroom now but what are Florida's laws now that everyone knows that I am a beautiful lady with an anomaly.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
Still have no clue what is going on with @americanairlines. NBC news said the told them it was taken care of but I don't know how.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
Can anyone from @AmericanAir call anyone who works for American Airljnes at the counter in Orlando. https://t.co/AUcjl8U6YO
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015
Kaln at @AmericanAir is saying that she doesn't care what is being tweeted at me.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015
R. Santana at @AmericanAir is saying that her colleague gave me a boarding pass. I was not given a pass
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015
The police are telling @AmericanAir to give me a ticket
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015
What @tsa and @AmericanAir is doing publically is completely different than what I am experience
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015
The manager made it sound like @AmericanAir was giving me a free first class ticket, but they charged my card.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015
This police officer was very helpful. He told lecturet @AmericanAir manager that he wasn't going to remove me pic.twitter.com/qJweZxZXrO
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015
Back in the TSA line. Here goes nothing
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015
I'm in. Have an overnight in Miami. Blocking conservatives and radfems who think deserved now that they know my bits
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015
The TSA agent said "step back in please" and the manager ran over and was like "no no, you're good!"
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015
I am finding out this is completely routine for so many trans people.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015
It was weird when @AmericanAir told me the only flights available were standby pic.twitter.com/LWSCeax5VC
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015
For the rad fems attacking me — what brand of feminism defends security forces sight reading sex and pressing a pink or blue button?
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015
This has nothing to with my sex. This has to do with the perception of my sex/gender by the TSA agent. I disclosed my reality immediately.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015
I fly A LOT, usually between Minneapolis and LA and have never had a problem. This was an anomaly — or a Florida thing, not sure.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015
I can't sleep.
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 22, 2015
