Traveling from Latin America to SEA without stopping in US?

manly5000 · Post by **manly5000** » August 7th, 2014, 11:30 am

Hey guys,

As my time to leave draws near, it's possible that I might have a bigger fund than I originally planned on and so, before settling down in Latin America, I might be interested in spending a few months in Southeast Asia to explore and have a bit of fun. If I do so, I will need to figure out a way to get from Latin America to Southeast Asia and back again without having a layover in the USA. Why? Because I flat out refuse to fly from within the US due to the TSA and their asinine bullshit, and refuse to support with my business the airlines that support and condone the TSA.

I might be able to arrange something through Canada, but from what i understand the CATSA is only a little bit better than the TSA. Thus, I'd prefer to go direct from LA to SEA, and I'm trying to figure out how to set it up from either Mexico City or Sao Paulo, depending on if I go from Mexico or Brasil.

Anyone have any experience or knowledge with this? Anyone offer insight on the CATSA vs TSA? I WILL NOT go through a nude-o-scope body scanner, and i WILL NOT allow myself to be sexually assaulted by way of "enhanced" pat-down just to fly.

Appreciate it gents!

hammanta · Post by **hammanta** » August 7th, 2014, 12:57 pm

If you are in Sao Paolo why not fly into Johannesburg or Cape Town or Pretoria, then fly out across the Indian Ocean? Or if you are in Mexico City, fly into New Zealand or Australia? I'm not positive on the prices or mileage but it's worth a look.

manly5000 · Post by **manly5000** » August 7th, 2014, 1:02 pm

Ya I just might have to build a custom itinerary... I believe I saw some options from Sao Paulo that pass through Dubai of all places!! Never expected to ever see that place, but when you have nothing but time on your hands and plenty of money saved up, I guess you can check out some unexpected and unique places in this world.

Thanks for the suggestions brother.

Rock · Post by **Rock** » August 7th, 2014, 1:10 pm

Easiest, fastest, and probably cheapest way is to fly directly to a city in Australia and then fly up from there.

manly5000 · Post by **manly5000** » August 7th, 2014, 1:13 pm

Ya but from what I understand, Australia is even WORSE than the USA with their security process. I believe you HAVE to go through the nude-o-scope scanners and there is no "opt out". I absolutely refuse to be stripped search to board an airplane. So Australia is in the same boat as the USA for me -- a no go. Which means I'll never get to explore Australia unless I either arrive by boat, or these asinine brown-shirt "security" procedures go the way of the dinosaur...

hammanta · Post by **hammanta** » August 7th, 2014, 1:14 pm

manly5000 wrote:Ya I just might have to build a custom itinerary... I believe I saw some options from Sao Paulo that pass through Dubai of all places!! Never expected to ever see that place, but when you have nothing but time on your hands and plenty of money saved up, I guess you can check out some unexpected and unique places in this world.

Thanks for the suggestions brother.

Yea custom tends to be a lot more expensive though and Dubai is a popular route. I'm from DC region and whenever I fly to SE Asia I always see a flight to Dubai then Mumbai then to Manila. It's about 36 hours (decent layover) but I have seen it as low as $900 taxes included. Unfortunately I hate layovers so I always choose the more expensive but shorter flight over the Pacific.

manly5000 · Post by **manly5000** » August 7th, 2014, 1:33 pm

hammanta wrote:Yea custom tends to be a lot more expensive though and Dubai is a popular route. I'm from DC region and whenever I fly to SE Asia I always see a flight to Dubai then Mumbai then to Manila. It's about 36 hours (decent layover) but I have seen it as low as $900 taxes included. Unfortunately I hate layovers so I always choose the more expensive but shorter flight over the Pacific.

Yup I can totally understand that... in the past I've always had the mentality of "gotta get to the destination as quick as possible!!" when I've gone on vacation. Been rushing and racing my whole life. But now, for me, my great adventure is all about the journey, so I'll gladly take some extra time in weird places to get where I'm going, if I can save money that will help me extend this whole endeavor as necessary (if I haven't started working and earning income abroad yet).

I'm ready for the journey my friends. The legendary journey.

Rock · Post by **Rock** » August 7th, 2014, 1:38 pm

manly5000 wrote:Ya but from what I understand, Australia is even WORSE than the USA with their security process. I believe you HAVE to go through the nude-o-scope scanners and there is no "opt out". I absolutely refuse to be stripped search to board an airplane. So Australia is in the same boat as the USA for me -- a no go. Which means I'll never get to explore Australia unless I either arrive by boat, or these asinine brown-shirt "security" procedures go the way of the dinosaur...

I think you can fly from Sao Paulo to Singapore or Bangkok via Italy, Spain, and/or another European city on Singapore Airlines.

OutWest · Post by **OutWest** » August 7th, 2014, 5:01 pm

manly5000 wrote:Ya but from what I understand, Australia is even WORSE than the USA with their security process. I believe you HAVE to go through the nude-o-scope scanners and there is no "opt out". I absolutely refuse to be stripped search to board an airplane. So Australia is in the same boat as the USA for me -- a no go. Which means I'll never get to explore Australia unless I either arrive by boat, or these asinine brown-shirt "security" procedures go the way of the dinosaur...

Be aware that security services profile travelers whose routes seem unusual or circuitous. If you think
the TSA is bad...try the Malaysian or Brazilian Security people.

manly5000 · Post by **manly5000** » August 7th, 2014, 5:44 pm

OutWest wrote:Be aware that security services profile travelers whose routes seem unusual or circuitous. If you think
the TSA is bad...try the Malaysian or Brazilian Security people.

Well I'm sure lots of people travel from continent to continent without stopping over in the USA along the way... Considering I will only be flying once in a great while, I'm not too worried about it.

In what way is Brazilian security bad?

Jester · Post by **Jester** » August 7th, 2014, 9:51 pm

Brazil bought Chertoff's scanners, but keep in mind, a lot of countries bought them but don't use them much. Almost like they had their arms twisted or something.

And anyway, pat-downs are said to be less offensive outside the Anglo-Zionist zone.

Mexico is to the best of my knowledge scanner-free, as is Peru.

Re routes, Sao Paolo to South Africa or Dubai makes sense. Should be interesting, either place, if you stop over. Maybe a good route for RETURN trip to LA from SEA.

Re outbound, Chile to SEA flights have existed before, but not sure if they still do. Long haul, fuel is expensive.

Mexico has flights from Tijuana to Japan. I think Mexico City flights to Japan all stop in Tijuana. But you need to check with your travel agent to make sure that there won't be a "refueling" stop in the USSA. Also check the airline a day before, maybe, to confirm no stops.

As a last resort there is Cuba. If you get there via Mexico, then obviously Cuba to Europe flights bypass US.

Venezuela and Cancun have charter or seasonal flights to Europe. Dont know what the season is.

I think Spain is scanner-free, maybe Germany too. I think England and France are the only big Euro countries that have them.

Please post what you find.

TSA was the last straw in getting me to leave the US. They made it the equivalent of getting arrested to go see my mother.

Jester · Post by **Jester** » August 7th, 2014, 9:52 pm

BTW I think you're right to see SEA first, then LA.