List of Airport Alternatives without Full Body Scanners
#46
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: PDX
Programs: TSA Refusenik charter member
Posts: 15,978
#47
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Amtrak S+, HH GLD, AA 1MM, SPG, UA, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 371
Tuesday updates are in
Thanks for the latest feedback! If I missed anyone, please post or PM. Notice that, when someone makes a suggestion for a metro area, I tend to research and fill out all the entries for that area. Hopefully that's incentive for folks to keep contributing.
According to the sources linked off the first post, I don't see evidence of NoS. So I've started a section on SAT and added AUS. Excellent alternative to SAT.
I don't believe either has a NoS based on current information, so I'll add them to the list. SRQ looks like a pretty good alt for TPA; thanks for the suggestion. And who'd have thought there was alternate service 2 hours from LAS? I had no idea. I now have a LAS section with SGU listed!
Thank you. I've done exactly that.
Finally, it pains me to remove SMF from the list. It appears, from the FT sticky, that there's at least one scope in place.
According to the sources linked off the first post, I don't see evidence of NoS. So I've started a section on SAT and added AUS. Excellent alternative to SAT.
Regarding Tampa on the list, if Sarasota, FL (SRQ) hasn't installed the NOS , that could be an alternative to TPA being 45 minutes - 1 hour away. A much smaller airport with not much of a choice of airlines.
Regarding Las Vegas, St. George, Utah (SGU) is 2 hours away although they have very few flights other than regional jets to Salt Lake City for those willing to connect. Don't know if this small airport has the NOS either.
Regarding Las Vegas, St. George, Utah (SGU) is 2 hours away although they have very few flights other than regional jets to Salt Lake City for those willing to connect. Don't know if this small airport has the NOS either.
Finally, it pains me to remove SMF from the list. It appears, from the FT sticky, that there's at least one scope in place.
Last edited by gatelouse; Nov 16, 2010 at 8:37 pm
#49
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Amtrak S+, HH GLD, AA 1MM, SPG, UA, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 371
Thanks and Welcome to FlyerTalk, freedomfighter! I've added TUS to the PHX list. Compared to the other alternates on the list, the TUS flight schedule is actually quite robust.
#50
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13
A possible alternative to CVG would be SDF, which is reportedly NoS free and intends to stay that way as long as the airport staff can manage; approximately 100 miles or so from CVG, straight down I-71 hence to I-264. (Of note, several folks already do use SDF as an alternative to CVG, especially as far as bargain flights or non-Delta carriers go--even with most flights being regional jets, it's still cheaper to fly out of SDF than CVG much of the time. )
A potential way to avoid NoS for CVG would be Amtrak, but service to Cincinnati is less than daily; a better alternative is to fly from SDF to Chicago, then take the L to Union Station and the Amtrak terminal there (or take Metra trains to one of the alternative airports in the area not using NoS).
Another possible alternative (which is technically closer) is LEX, but is even more regional-jet-heavy and avoidance of NoS (as with SDF) depends on mapping out flights to hubs that are NoS-resistant.
I am uncertain whether DAY uses NoS, so I'm hesitant to list them as a CVG alternative just yet; further confirmation would be appreciated from someone in that area. Drive time--approximately 45 minutes, 50 miles or so north of CVG. (This may also be an alternative for CMH if it's confirmed DAY is not using NoS; it's also approximately 50 miles/45 minutes from Columbus.)
A potential way to avoid NoS for CVG would be Amtrak, but service to Cincinnati is less than daily; a better alternative is to fly from SDF to Chicago, then take the L to Union Station and the Amtrak terminal there (or take Metra trains to one of the alternative airports in the area not using NoS).
Another possible alternative (which is technically closer) is LEX, but is even more regional-jet-heavy and avoidance of NoS (as with SDF) depends on mapping out flights to hubs that are NoS-resistant.
I am uncertain whether DAY uses NoS, so I'm hesitant to list them as a CVG alternative just yet; further confirmation would be appreciated from someone in that area. Drive time--approximately 45 minutes, 50 miles or so north of CVG. (This may also be an alternative for CMH if it's confirmed DAY is not using NoS; it's also approximately 50 miles/45 minutes from Columbus.)
#51
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: AA Plat, CO Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 107
SGF (Springfield, MO) doesn't have them yet and the TSOs don't have attitudes. May be too far for some folks but is an alternative for STL, TUL, and MCI. Mostly traffic free 3 hour drive on nice higways. Non-stops to ORD, MEM, DEN, ATL, DTW, DFW, MPS. On selected days (allegiant) TPA, MCO, PHX, LAX, LAS.
#52
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Amtrak S+, HH GLD, AA 1MM, SPG, UA, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 371
Thanksgiving updates
I've done some work on CVG, CMH, MCI, and STL today based on recent feedback. And I'm sad to de-list ONT, which appears to be getting scopes soon. (Airport directors, please fight back!)
Thank you for the suggestions; I've incorporated them into the CVG list. It looks like DAY is receiving scopes soon, so I've omitted the airport.
It's a long drive, but still worth adding to the list, as our options are dwindling as TSA forces more of these devices into mid-sized airports. Thank you.
A possible alternative to CVG would be SDF, which is reportedly NoS free and intends to stay that way as long as the airport staff can manage; approximately 100 miles or so from CVG, straight down I-71 hence to I-264. (Of note, several folks already do use SDF as an alternative to CVG, especially as far as bargain flights or non-Delta carriers go--even with most flights being regional jets, it's still cheaper to fly out of SDF than CVG much of the time. )
A potential way to avoid NoS for CVG would be Amtrak, but service to Cincinnati is less than daily; a better alternative is to fly from SDF to Chicago, then take the L to Union Station and the Amtrak terminal there (or take Metra trains to one of the alternative airports in the area not using NoS).
Another possible alternative (which is technically closer) is LEX, but is even more regional-jet-heavy and avoidance of NoS (as with SDF) depends on mapping out flights to hubs that are NoS-resistant.
I am uncertain whether DAY uses NoS, so I'm hesitant to list them as a CVG alternative just yet; further confirmation would be appreciated from someone in that area. Drive time--approximately 45 minutes, 50 miles or so north of CVG. (This may also be an alternative for CMH if it's confirmed DAY is not using NoS; it's also approximately 50 miles/45 minutes from Columbus.)
A potential way to avoid NoS for CVG would be Amtrak, but service to Cincinnati is less than daily; a better alternative is to fly from SDF to Chicago, then take the L to Union Station and the Amtrak terminal there (or take Metra trains to one of the alternative airports in the area not using NoS).
Another possible alternative (which is technically closer) is LEX, but is even more regional-jet-heavy and avoidance of NoS (as with SDF) depends on mapping out flights to hubs that are NoS-resistant.
I am uncertain whether DAY uses NoS, so I'm hesitant to list them as a CVG alternative just yet; further confirmation would be appreciated from someone in that area. Drive time--approximately 45 minutes, 50 miles or so north of CVG. (This may also be an alternative for CMH if it's confirmed DAY is not using NoS; it's also approximately 50 miles/45 minutes from Columbus.)
SGF (Springfield, MO) doesn't have them yet and the TSOs don't have attitudes. May be too far for some folks but is an alternative for STL, TUL, and MCI. Mostly traffic free 3 hour drive on nice higways. Non-stops to ORD, MEM, DEN, ATL, DTW, DFW, MPS. On selected days (allegiant) TPA, MCO, PHX, LAX, LAS.
#55
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: BHM
Posts: 118
Merge/repost from the main NoS thread:
ONT will be getting them "soon" it seems. Not sure why, since it's such a ghost town out there. There's also a little tidbit in there from the TSA Talking Head saying the scan or pat downs "should take no more than a minute."
BUR and SNA are the best alternatives to LAX, for a whole host of reasons. If you're out in the IE though (and want to admit it, that is ) neither is convenient.
BUR and SNA are the best alternatives to LAX, for a whole host of reasons. If you're out in the IE though (and want to admit it, that is ) neither is convenient.
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Dec 3, 2010 at 1:28 am Reason: merge consecutive posts
#58
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,145
Any idea where it is located...which terminal?
#60
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Amtrak S+, HH GLD, AA 1MM, SPG, UA, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 371
Greetings, fellow NoS detractors!
While it is far, I suspect some of the larger, closer alternatives will start to get scopes unless the airport authorities fight back. So I'll add PSP in anticipation of better alternatives' going away. I personally love that airport. TSA was friendly, and the open-air atrium reminds me of tropical airports.
Indeed, but too close for comfort for me, so I've deleted ONT from the LA list. I really hope that BUR fights the scanners tooth-and-nail.
That's the plan. I expect our alternatives to drop one by one. Please lobby your city councils and airport authorities to fight installation of the scopes. For instance, I know that COS has come out openly against them. I'll reward the city by sending all my DEN business to COS.
Thanks, but I don't believe JAN is on my list. I'll try to remember not to add it, though!
According to the FT master list, the B2 checkpoint. So, most checkpoints at SMF should be safe for at least another month or four. These things multiply like, well, lice. Be wary.
You're most welcome. And be sure to thank FriendlySkies for his master list; there's a ton of work that goes into keeping his list up to date.
Indeed, but too close for comfort for me, so I've deleted ONT from the LA list. I really hope that BUR fights the scanners tooth-and-nail.
You're most welcome. And be sure to thank FriendlySkies for his master list; there's a ton of work that goes into keeping his list up to date.