Best way to avoid NoS at ONT
 

Hi all. I've been lurking around the forums since early August when then NoS started going national, but I just signed up. I'm sincerely looking for some advice on how to avoid the NoS at ONT.

I've been avoiding flying since the NoS went national: I drove 1500 miles at Christmas and I plan to take the Greyhound or Amtrak in March.

I have to fly for a family function. There is no way I can physically get to the location and back without losing my job by taking alternate means, so I have to fly. (Unless someone out there in the forums has a private plane and wants to fly to me from one coast to another ... then I am all for that option.) I haven't flown out of ONT since they NoS came in, and I'm terrified. The thought of having to be frisked (because I will opt out of a the digital strip search, on principle) leaves me having panic attacks and shaking. I am not a criminal for flying; I don't like being treated as such. I used to fly once or twice a month, but I haven't gotten on a plane since November.

Oh, let's add to the creepy factor by pointing out that a year ago an off duty TSA agent asked me on a date while I was at this airport; I declined politely, but now I feel physically ill that this same individual might get to have some inordinate power over me and my ability to see my family.

In summary, what's the best strategy for getting out of the NoS at ONT?

The best strategy for getting out of the NoS at ONT?

Depart from SNA. :p

Sorry, I really have no idea about ONT.

Interested to know as well...I have a flight out of Terminal 2 next week, and while I've been trying to use SNA as much as possible this year, it's ONT next week. Hoping I'm there early enough on a Sunday that it's roped off.

I also would like this information. My mom flies out of ONT. If she ever has a medical emergency and I MUST get down quickly to see her, I will have to return through there as well. NOT something I want to have to do. Any guidance warmly appreciated.

I'll tell you what I know, but I'm not sure it will be useful. I flew into Ontario once and out twice in December. This was when the MMW scanners were first installed; in fact, when I arrived in Terminal 2 there were no scanners; I was surprised the next day when departing from Terminal 4 that there were scanners; and ten days later, Terminal 2 had them as well. I was lucky though; the scanners were roped off both times.

If the scanners were to be used, however, I didn't see any way that one could avoid them. Each terminal has two scanners as well as two WTMDs. The scanners and WTMDs are next to each other.

That was my first time at ONT, and it looked like a nice airport. It's too bad that it probably will be my last time due to this "enhancement".

Rare, which type of scanner were they? Backscatter or MMW?

I will be going through on Sunday. I will check it out if you have not already gotten an answer.

Guess I was a bit too wordy... ;)

This article has a video from there, though you can't see the whole checkpoint.

InkUnderNails, I'd be interested in what you find out on Sunday. Always good to have an up-to-date report.

Rare, that was a very helpful article you referenced. I sent it on to my mom, who will be flying out again in June and has not yet experienced a scanner. Knowing her, she'll just do whatever they tell her, bless her heart, whether she likes it or not. I'm the one who's in danger of being carried off in handcuffs, kicking and screaming.

The video is helpful, but it's hard to see how they're doing the actual line. It used to be that it was one line and you could go to the first metal detector that was open, but I have no idea how it works with the new Rapescanners.

I'm trying to think of ways of not having to go through the scanner or be sexually battered to fly.

@Deinonychus I can't fly out of another airport, because I am so close that people can drive me to ONT on their way home from work. The people paying for my ticket are pretty much kettles and part of the "anything for safety" camp, so they won't understand why I'd fly out of another airport and would be extremely angry if I got arrested protesting.

I guess I'm more worried because I've been using my Twitter account to actively voice my displeasure and I spent most of December calling my two main Congresscritters daily (also giving my name). Oh, and I donated a small amount to the WeWontFly billboard. My fear is that I managed to get myself on some kind of government list that singles me out for "extra special" treatment, regardless of whether I set off the metal detectors or not. I don't know how I will be treated if I have managed to get myself labeled a "domestic extremist" as Big Sis and Pissy seem happy to label a law-abiding citizen who uses the First Amendment.

Other than the agent asking me out last year (and the thought of this same person determining if I fly and/or getting to see my naked image in some side room to masturbate to makes me shake), I have not had problems with the agents there. There are the occasional barkers, but nothing confrontational.

However, apparently the agents decided to harass some environmental activists flying out of ONT: http://www.prisonplanet.com/gulf-act...n-youtube.html
I'm sorry to link to such a controversial site, but the original article that was run by a local newspaper doesn't show up when I search Google.

I'm thinking that I might wear a bikini and strip down in protest if I get "randomly selected" (aka singled out by the guy I spurned or maybe one of his friends).

The future other half of LittleSparrow doesn't understand my complete and utter terror and disgust at having to fly now. When I found out that ONT was getting the scanners, I began shaking and crying. I haven't flown out of ONT since, and the local officials are baffled (gasp of shock) at why the revenues at ONT have been tanking over the past six months.

Thanks InkUnderNails for being willing to report to us. I usually fly out of Terminal 4, so if that's the one you go out of too, that would be good information to know.

Silly question maybe...
 

but why is the "peeper in the backroom" wearing gloves? If that person isn't going to go out and won't see the actual pax or be involved with the pax in any way, why are the gloves being worn?

safe sex

Don't forget to check the TSA status site: http://ofsevit.dynalias.com:8081/ari/tsa/

And, of course, report what you see, even if you are just going to pick someone up.

Which is exactly why I dread having to fly out of ONT. :(

Alternate airports really are the best way. If you've already bought a ticket ex-ONT, you can read on. At the airports I've visited, there are times of day or days of week when the NoS is less likely to be used. From what I've observed, these appear to include times of reduced staffing or high passenger volume.

If you have a few hours to spare, consider arriving early as if to greet an arriving passenger and observe how the checkpoint is operating. Suppose they're using the NoS when you arrive. A half-hour later, they may turn it off. (It's TSA mini-golf! Don't hit the windmill!) Or you might notice only one lane with the NoS on. There's some risk involved here, as a BDO might question you if you appear nervous (as you likely would). But if you can act like you're just waiting for someone, then give it a shot. The checkpoint can change on a regular basis.

I've always wondered if one could bypass the NoS this way: if the checkpoint is using the WTMD when the NoS is occupied, have a colleague directly in front of you demand to try out the Super-Cool NoS and refuse the WTMD, thereby blocking the NoS for those behind! I wonder how the TSOs would handle such a situation.