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A black star for Virgin Australia
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Well resolved Amanda.
I take it Nicole means I.T. will will alter the form by adding ‘other’ or some such option.
I had not realised that the issue was in the way in which we are addressed but now I do.
Through your constructive complaint you have moved us one step closer.
Thank you.
Jan Wilson
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It’s great to hear that a well presented, lucid and reasonable complaint may receive a result that could auger well for all Trans travellers. I have to admit that of the three major carriers I would have thought Virgin would have had the foresight to recognise that Trans people travel on their airline and would be the first to amend their booking processes to reflect that.
Hopefully a little win for all TGs who fly Virgin
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This is an interesting thread.
I wouldn’t assume that IT will change booking arrangements. The far bigger picture is the seating arrangements for minors. I’ve come across that quite some time ago (pre CD).
What I would like to happen is for the boarding pass to show my femme name if I’m travelling femme. The booking details behind the scenes really doesn’t bother me but the boarding pass is my “public face”.
What are your thoughts Amanda. I will raise this with Qantas but it would be helpful to have an agreed position.
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Quote:What are your thoughts Amanda.Mmmmmmmmmmmmm
This is what I’m trying to push Virgin towards…
Back-office stuff does concern me…I’m not after some superficial change at the boarding gate (because the flight crews seem to take it in their stride).
Change 1: I have no problem being asked if I am Male or Female as long as the question asks what SEX I am. Sex is a biologically determinate thing and that is what is on your passport. Sex = M/F/X.
I would prefer they don’t ask for domestic flights where I use my NSW Drivers License as ID which doesn’t mention sex. But I understand the link to international flights in the big computer database probably needs to record sex. If they want SEX then don’t ask for GENDER.Change 2: My answer to the above question (my SEX) does NOT determine what if any salutation I associate with. If I tick the F, M or X sex box I shouldn’t be forced to be a MR or a MRS. I want to be referred to as Adrian Barnes and not as Mr or Ms Barnes.
I’m happy that my boarding pass has the first and last name on my ID. Any other arrangement would be a security hazard. I’m happy with my first name and have no need for femme names. I can’t see airlines printing non-legal names on boarding passes.
As for the seating arrangements for minors – I think that’s just a PR smoke screen. The seating for my flight was selected and allocated online. If when i come to fly they will probably re-ticket me if I end up next to where a minor will be sitting. This has happened to me on Virgin before. Anyhow if they have sex in their computer they can still avoid minors coming in contact with males presenting as females!
Do I expect any changes from the IS department….yes… if for no other reason they are going to have to add the X choice for sex before very long. I’m waiting and watching!
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A final (I expect) update to this saga.
I flew Virgin to Adelaide last weekend.
On both trips the boarding card had MR ADRIAN BARNES on the left hand (large) side, and ADRIAN BARNES on the right hand section.
Following the excellent advice from this forum I clearly crossed out the MR.
On the outward leg no one ever looked at my boarding card (other than scanning it at the boarding gate). The cabin staff were obviously more interested in filling the plane quickly than checking who was boarding.
On the return trip I presented the card to the senior flight attendant on boarding, and after looking at it she said “Clearly you are not a MR”.
Sort of made my day….
