Safer to fly into at night Biloxi or New Orleans Airport?

Biloxi. They have mostly rebuilt all by themselves without a lot of whining and blaming. And that says something about the kind of people who live there. I would feel safer in a town of mostly responsible solid people than in a town of free-loafers and thugs.

No offense to THR members who live in NO, I'm sure you guys are responsible too. But you're in the minority in NO.

I went to Tech school and 7-level school at Keisler AFB in Biloxi. Even before the hurricane, I can't imagine it would be wilder than Chocolate City.

And I wouldn't think any area, especially unfamiliar territory, is safe enough to go unarmed.

Traveling to Biloxi or NO

JLSTORM
I'm from Pass Christian, which is mid way between NO and Biloxi. There is no comparison between the two. I carry in both places but Biloxi is several hundred times safer than NO. I highly recommend carrying when you land in Biloxi but chances are you wouldn't have a problem if you depart the GPT airport directly for your assignment. We have a huge number of transient workers staying on the coast now and conditions aren't perfect but things are really sad in NO.Good Luck!

Been to both. Biloxi by faaaaar.

Also, Biloxi is much smaller, and everything is easy to find.

Biloxi for sure!!! No other way to put it!!! New Orleans is just as if not more dangerous than ever!!!

Actually, I believe Slidell is still in La.

Just over the Miss. state line.

Armstrong International Airport, the major airport serving the greater NO area is not in NO. It's in Kenner which is in neighboring Jefferson Parish and in fact almost to the St. Charles Parish line about 20 miles to the west of NO. Short approach road to I-10 and you are on your way to Slidell or MS to the east. The crime problems in Jefferson Parish lately have been on the west bank of the Mississippi River (drug gangs), not at the airport. Plus, Jefferson Parish has Sheriff Harry Lee who has a reputation for taking an aggressive approach to crime and I have not heard any reports of violent crime at the airport. You will drive past NO but you can't even see the skyline from I-10 heading east to Slidell. As is often the case in urban America, if you are not a young black male engaged in illegal (drug) activities and stay on the beaten path statistically you will more than likely be ok. Crime is bad but it is not a free fire zone. No snipers from the interstate overpasses. Yet.

Slidell is in St. Tammany Parish which is the major bedroom community for NO. Any motel on an interstate has some risks but crime there is not out of control by any means.

Biloxi is a very nice place. Either is ok. Go see for yourself. Drive downtown to NO. Have some coffee and beignets in the Quarter. Throw some money in the slots at Harrahs. Take a disaster tour. Don't forget the body armour.

Please post on your experiences. One other recommendation. If you get a chance to eat out, try Cafe Maspero. Right in the Quarter at 601 Decatur Street, very good food, casual. One other tip, if anyone wants to bet you they can tell where you got your shoes, the answer is "on the street." Actually, that's a distraction tactic which can end up to no good. Don't answer and keep walking.

Biloxi.

FYI, you can legally carry in a car in MS (and I think in LA) w/o any permit, provided you are a non-felon sober, etc., adult, and not on a federal park, etc. In MS the gun may be open or concealed in the car - either is legal. I suggest concealed to minimize attention.

If you have a permit in your home state check for reciprocity.

I flew into Baton Rouge six days after Katrina and spent a month working mostly in and around Slidell. At that time there was no fuel, power, water, lodging or cell coverage in the area. They did manage to lose my luggage for two days, but otherwise things went as well as could be expected given the situation.

My Idaho carry permit is valid in LA but my employment forbade me from carrying at that time. Whether you carry or not, stay in condition yellow and remain situationally aware and you'll be fine.

...

Flown into both -- numerous times.

Biloxi all the way.

Frankly, I lived in New Orleans (Old Metairie, actually) for 5 years and didn't let the door hit me in the arse when I left.

I don't mean to upset anyone who has a fondness for NO, but I find it to be a very dirty city, and you encounter a lot of foks that you'd prefer to keep you guard up around.

I've always enjoyed (as much as you possibly CAN in an airport) flying into Biloxi.

Oh.... I forgot.... Jackson, MS airport is about as much fun as New Orleans to me-- and Jackson is getting as dangerous as NO has been. I add this in case it seems I am just picking on NO.


John

I stay out of airports, period, but if any reputable THR member needs a local ride to/from Jackson, MS Int'l. or Hawkins Field, just email me here.

New Orleans metro area now has the highest murder rate in the US (96 per 100,000 people), as reported this month in the Baton Rouge Advocate and in the New Orleans Times-Picayeune. http://www.dailyhaha.com/linkout.asp?LinkID=3695&cat=news

Yes, Kenner is a better area than downtown N.O. The problem is that the savages are mobile - they have vehicles. Never mind that they may well have stolen it rather than purchased it. They are mobile, so they can get to Kenner if they wish to.

Biloxi area is far better, statistically, than the greater N.O. area. Plus, you'll be in condition yellow at all times in either location - right ?

The airport is not the problem area. If you are not a drug dealer, or live in certain areas, you are very safe in NO. The murders there are very specific as to is involved.

NO is kind of funny, there are places you can go by your self when it is dark and the biggest problem your going to have is cleaning your shoes the nest day. Other parts of the city I wouldn't go in with anything less than a platoon. Best bet still is just no to go.