Wildcard: McCarren airport security

[Wildcard]

I was in Las Vegas Jan 22-24, and this past Friday and Saturday.

There is simply no way I can properly describe the lines entering security checkpoints for Gates C & D.

Trying to leave on Friday, Jan 24th was a horror! The lines were of equal length on both sides of the upper level (you can look down on baggage claim), 4 abreast and almost out to that little orangy colored T-bird. Had to be 2 thousand people there...I began to wonder if the walkways could handle such weight. Of course, there was a convention of 80,000 builders who were trying to get home.

I didn't make my flights, and about noon decided to return to my favorite casino to play for a few hours before catching a flight to LA then to Atlanta. From D-41 to the sidewalk and back, took me just over 1.5 hours! The sidewalk was jammed with at least 2-3 hundred in the taxi line. So, I was caught in the going home crowd and coming in crowd.

Yesterday morning I thought at 5:15 AM it would be a snap, not so! Not only was the Delta check-in line approaching overflow, but upon entering the corridor for the D gate area it was backed up to the mid point. You stand four abreast and funnel into a single file, then back and forth like a Disney ride. As I made it to security, I glanced back, and the line behind me was now well outside, and I could not see the end!

The security process is not bad...once you get there. Take off your shoes and avoid the hassle of any metal. Seems I have some in the soles of my shoes...if you don't, well, more delay. Remember, you still have to catch the tram and then up the escalator with a fair walk...the people mover does help the heart rate. :-)

You would do well (if you haven't flown in or out of McCarren in a while) to add at least 1.5 hours to your departure time to be arriving at curbside, and 2 hours would be better.

Regards,
Wildcard

[Norm Wattenberger]

It varies incredibly. Flew in last Sunday and it was very quite. There was not a single person in the taxi line. Coming back, one person in front of me at security. Passed through in less than a minute. Would have been perfect if American had managed to get my bag on the flight They delivered it at 1:40 am.

BJStats

[Wildcard]

> It varies incredibly. Flew in last Sunday
> and it was very quite. There was not a
> single person in the taxi line. Coming back,
> one person in front of me at security.
> Passed through in less than a minute. Would
> have been perfect if American had managed to
> get my bag on the flight They delivered it
> at 1:40 am.

Did you pass through gates C or D? If so, how incredible that you experienced such ease!

I'm certain the taxi thing was the influx of superbowlers, but between getting out of that mess and back through security was a thing to behold!

[Norm Wattenberger]

Gate C. Managed to win on an airport VP machine too. Some days are better than others.

[Wildcard]

> Gate C. Managed to win on an airport VP
> machine too. Some days are better than
> others.

Simply AMAZING!!

[Norm Wattenberger]

Only a fool would gamble in the airport. But, I won the last two trips waiting to board. I'm thinking of writing a new book on my experiences. Just fly to Vegas, play in the airport and fly home. Think of the advantages. You don't have to go through security. No taxi line. No hotel expense. No packing & unpacking. All the donuts you can eat. If the airport gets any larger it's going to be the largest casino in the world. Now if we can get the airport to pay RFB....

BJStats

[phantom007]

> Now if we can get the airport to pay RFB....

They do! You are comp'd free chairs to sleep in, unlimited use of the water fountain, and if you are savvy, you can pick out half-eaten pretzels from the trash can (before they absorb something and get soggy).

Last LV trip, was amazed as to the prices at TJ Cinnamon's:

---Bottle of Milk...$2.59

---Bottle of Water...$2.79!

Now, I realize that this a desert, but I cannot see how water should be more expensive than milk.

Be careful playing Airport Slots...a friend of mine hit a $300. Jackpot just as his flight was called. His carry-on became extremely heavy, and then he had to carry it back next trip to cash in.

Good Cards (and Coins, if applicable).

phantom007

[SOTSOG]

Monday night, January 27th.

Took all of 10 minutes to get thru Security.

The clue is you were leaving at the same time as the Builder's Convention (one of the largest conventions Vegas has). Obviously, when you are leaving at the same time as 80,000 other people, things get overloaded.

I bet if you try to leave at the same time as the National Rodeo Finals, or the CES convention, Etc., you will find the conditions. The rest of the time things run pretty smoothly.

In fact after the Federal Takeover of security, I feel better. It seems the x-ray screeners are actually looking at the baggage now. Before security was a big joke and a sham, and provided zero value in safety.

[Wildcard]

> Only a fool would gamble in the airport.
> But, I won the last two trips waiting to
> board. I'm thinking of writing a new book on
> my experiences. Just fly to Vegas, play in
> the airport and fly home. Think of the
> advantages. You don't have to go through
> security. No taxi line. No hotel expense. No
> packing & unpacking. All the donuts you
> can eat. If the airport gets any larger it's
> going to be the largest casino in the world.
> Now if we can get the airport to pay RFB....

I'll buy a copy if you can tell me how to disable the never-ending "Wheeeeel offff Fortunnne". :-)

You may be onto something, surely there's room for BJ and craps tables...what a thought!

[Wildcard]

> Monday night, January 27th.

> Took all of 10 minutes to get thru Security.

> The clue is you were leaving at the same
> time as the Builder's Convention (one of the
> largest conventions Vegas has). Obviously,
> when you are leaving at the same time as
> 80,000 other people, things get overloaded.

> I bet if you try to leave at the same time
> as the National Rodeo Finals, or the CES
> convention, Etc., you will find the
> conditions. The rest of the time things run
> pretty smoothly.

> In fact after the Federal Takeover of
> security, I feel better. It seems the x-ray
> screeners are actually looking at the
> baggage now. Before security was a big joke
> and a sham, and provided zero value in
> safety.

You certainly make your point. Had I known ahead of time that all those builders were heading home that Friday I would have made other arrangements.

What's even worse is I could go any time of the week, just so happened we picked the wrong time to go home...imagine the lines almost back to that T-bird on display!!

I agree about security, it was pathetic in the past.

Glad you and Norm didn't have to endure my experience, it's a long day when you see the sun rise and set at D-41.

[SOTSOG]

They have a link to the Las Vegas Convention Bureau which shows a calendar of what groups and activities are going on.

The National Broadcasters Assoc. Convention is another biggie that most people don't know about.

[Norm Wattenberger]

> I'll buy a copy if you can tell me how to
> disable the never-ending "Wheeeeel
> offff Fortunnne". :-)

Incredibly annoying. And those machines will never go away. I'm working on earplugs that recognize the phrase and cancel it out with negative feedback.

[Wildcard]

> They have a link to the Las Vegas Convention
> Bureau which shows a calendar of what groups
> and activities are going on.

> The National Broadcasters Assoc. Convention
> is another biggie that most people don't
> know about.

Thanks, good idea!