Scanners & Air Shows

[Kumba]

There's two air shows in my area this month -- Joint Services Open House at Andrews AFB May 16-17th, and then Air Expo '09 at Pax River NAS May 23-24th. The curious question, do they allow one to take portable scanners on site during the show? The JSOH, at least, you have to park at FedEx Field and be bused in, so they'll probably check you as you get on the bus. Air Expo, you're allowed to drive onto the base to designated parking. Neither of their security sections on the sites addresses scanner-like devices, so I wasn't too sure.

Thought of this when I noticed several JSOH TGIDs listed in the Andrews database. Haven't decided yet if I'm going to try an attend, but thought it'd be good to know that if I do, whether I can drag my scanner along with my camera gear.

Thanks!

[AlabamaRS]

Just call the base dept of public Info or whatever they call it & ask

[canav844]

I can't speak for that show, however, I've attended roughly 6 air shows per year for the last 6 years all over the country (FL, New England, WI, CO, IL, CA) on and off military bases and never once been given a second look as far as park access goes. Airshows tend to draw out hobbyists with scanners (even many that listen to just air freq.) so they tend to be pretty understanding. Just plan a little extra time and be willing to run back out to the car and tuck it out of site out of mind should they say no.

And calling in advance certainly won't hurt either.

[SkipSanders]

There's no comment one way or the other on the official site about scanners, but they normally DO include them in the 'prohibited' lists if they care about them, so probably ok.

Allowed Articles/Items
Small Coolers (Medical Purposes Only)
Fanny Packs
Purses
Camera Bags (Smaller then 1 cubic foot)
Diaper Bags
Portable Lawn Chairs
Collapsible strollers
Umbrellas

Prohibited Articles/Items
All other Coolers (Hard or Soft, unless medically required)
Backpacks
Camelpacks
Narcotics and Paraphernalia
Camera Bags (Larger than 1 cubic foot)
Roller Blades, Skates, and Skateboards
Weapons
(including, but not limited to knives, firearms, explosives, bio/radiological substances)
Bikes
Pets
Beverages, Open or Closed (except baby formula)
No Political Activity

[Kumba]

Gotcha, thanks for the info! Guess I'll find out if I go. I'll have to measure my camera bag...It's a big Canon one for SLR gear, so I think it's definitely larger than 1 cu/ft :)