a.bentonab
Expert
So here's a rundown of our recent vacation to Las Vegas.
We started by having a friend drop us off at the Indy airport. I must say that we are lucky to have such a nice one. After all the different ones I've flown through I relalize that Indy is one of if not the best airport I've been in.
So I got to Indy security. I didn't bring my G19 on this trip as I don't think I could have had it in Vegas with me legally. I had already put my leatherman in my checked bag. I did have my streamlight microstream flashlight, but I had a spare in my checked bag in case they decided to take it. After all, they did take my Grandma's hair picks in Louisville. My wife and I had already talked about the scanners and that they basically see you naked. I believe the ones in Indy are the safer ones as far as radiation amounts, so that is not as much a concern with the machines here. Wouldn't you know it, we were selected to go through them. It seemed like they chose every 6-7th person (and who they were traveling with) to be scanned. My wife went through it and was done in a matter of a few seconds. I opted out.
The machine operator radioed that he had an opt out and we waited for someone to give me an enhanced pat down. While waiting, the operator leaned over and says "you know, I can't blame you." After a couple minutes or so I was escorted by another TSA fellow to the pat down area 10-20 feet away circled by clear glass (blast shield
). He asked if I wanted a private screening and I declined. He then pretty much ran his gloved hands over my whole body, using the back of his hand over my butt. I was told rather shortly to "pull my pants up." Well shoot your friends over there told me to take my belt off! Anyway, I obliged. He then ran his gloved hand up my thigh until he felt my "resistance." One of his TSA buddies swabbed his gloves and put the swab in a machine. "What's that for" I asked. He told me that it was to test for explosives. I did a quick check and realized that I had washed this particular set of clothes since the last range trip. It was fine and I was allowed to continue. Took about 5-7 minutes from "I opt out" to "you can go."
Also, with regards to medicines going through the security checkpoints: My wife and I have several prescription medications, one of which is an epipen auto injector. I've heard from some sources that x-rays from the machines can damage them, especially the epipen. Therefore, I asked to have all my medicines hand checked. The lady directing us through the metal detector says "We have epipens go through all the time." "yes, but I'd rather have ours hand checked" "It'll be fine. Just put it through" "Ma'm, I've heard it can be damaged. I want our medicines to be hand checked" "OK fine, it's your right I guess" The medicines and everything from my pockets, including my micro stream, that went through the x ray machine were waiting when I was done with my pat down.
We flew Continental because we had a credit with them. I don't recommend them. There were no direct flights from Indy to Vegas so we connected in Chicago going and Cleveland coming. I don't think any of our 4 flights left on time. They ranged from 20 minutes to 70 minutes late taking off. You'd think the pilot would try to make up time in the air but one flight was actually more late landing than taking off. Southwest is the way to go.
VEGAS TIME
This was our second time in Vegas. We stayed at a condo behind Harrah's. They had great free shuttle service to downtown, a grocery store, several strip casinos, and they are within walking distance of many as well. They saved us hundreds in cab fair.
Between this trip and our last, we have been in every Strip casino and most Fremont Street ones. If you ever consider going, sign up for the rewards cards! Even if you don't plan on gambling much or at all they still give you free stuff. We got several t shirts. I play blackjack while the wife plays video poker or slots. If you plan to play blackjack, please learn basic strategy. Maybe it was becasue I was at the cheap tables but there were so many people standing on 16 vs 7+ that it blew my mind. Just google blackjack basic strategy. You can print the chart and bring it with you to the table, but you can't use an electronic device at the table. Her limited playing earned us a few things (think free drinks or coozies) and my blackjack playing of only about 30 minutes at each place at $5-10 a hand got us a few free buffets. For the slots you just put the card in the machine and at the tables give your card with your money to the dealer. We gambled at a dozen or so places, but we liked (aka made money at) the Four Queens downtown, Mandalay Bay at the south tip of the strip, Tropicana, and Flamingo. I'd say we came out even or maybe a little ahead. That with all the free booze means a good trip to me! Also, if anyone doesn't know, you get free alcohol if you are gambling in any casino. You are expected to tip the waitresses $1 a drink or so. A bigger tip may mean a shorter wait next time, while no tip may mean the opposite.
SHOWS
We saw the Riviera comedy club where Gerry Bednob headlined. He's the "turban guy" from the 40 Year Old Virgin. We also saw the Tournament of Kings at Excalibur. We are in our early twenties and had a freaking blast at this one. The show is similar to the Medieval Times shows as I understand. Fire, explosions, jousting with wooden lances being shattered into splinters by hitting their opponent with them. Plenty of rowdy people cheering for their sections knight. Note, drink beforehand as you have to pay for your drinks in the theater. We also saw the Madame Tussauds wax museum in front of the Venetian. It was very cool! Most of them are dead ringers for whoever they are meant to be but a few weren't that good. There's a large variety of stars, some popular movie stars, some from bygone eras, sports stars from today and years past. Many picture taking opportunities in there. There's a "haunted house" near the end that is optional but free. We did it and trust me, you won't miss anything if you skip it. Last time we went we saw "The Price is Right" at Bally's. No it's not the one on TV, it's a scaled down version. They call 5 new people down to contestants row after every game. If you win, you get up on stage. If you lose, back to your seat and you get a t shirt. They also randomly announce prize winners in the audience. With all that, probably 1/3 of the audience gets to play or wins a prize. I myself got up on stage and won nearly $5000 worth of prizes! Needless to say we made a bit of money on that trip.
If anyone is planning a trip to Vegas feel free to ask me anything.
On the way back, vegas security was much less eventful. They had scanners but noone was going through them. They also gave me no grief about hand checking our medicines.
We started by having a friend drop us off at the Indy airport. I must say that we are lucky to have such a nice one. After all the different ones I've flown through I relalize that Indy is one of if not the best airport I've been in.
So I got to Indy security. I didn't bring my G19 on this trip as I don't think I could have had it in Vegas with me legally. I had already put my leatherman in my checked bag. I did have my streamlight microstream flashlight, but I had a spare in my checked bag in case they decided to take it. After all, they did take my Grandma's hair picks in Louisville. My wife and I had already talked about the scanners and that they basically see you naked. I believe the ones in Indy are the safer ones as far as radiation amounts, so that is not as much a concern with the machines here. Wouldn't you know it, we were selected to go through them. It seemed like they chose every 6-7th person (and who they were traveling with) to be scanned. My wife went through it and was done in a matter of a few seconds. I opted out.
The machine operator radioed that he had an opt out and we waited for someone to give me an enhanced pat down. While waiting, the operator leaned over and says "you know, I can't blame you." After a couple minutes or so I was escorted by another TSA fellow to the pat down area 10-20 feet away circled by clear glass (blast shield
). He asked if I wanted a private screening and I declined. He then pretty much ran his gloved hands over my whole body, using the back of his hand over my butt. I was told rather shortly to "pull my pants up." Well shoot your friends over there told me to take my belt off! Anyway, I obliged. He then ran his gloved hand up my thigh until he felt my "resistance." One of his TSA buddies swabbed his gloves and put the swab in a machine. "What's that for" I asked. He told me that it was to test for explosives. I did a quick check and realized that I had washed this particular set of clothes since the last range trip. It was fine and I was allowed to continue. Took about 5-7 minutes from "I opt out" to "you can go."Also, with regards to medicines going through the security checkpoints: My wife and I have several prescription medications, one of which is an epipen auto injector. I've heard from some sources that x-rays from the machines can damage them, especially the epipen. Therefore, I asked to have all my medicines hand checked. The lady directing us through the metal detector says "We have epipens go through all the time." "yes, but I'd rather have ours hand checked" "It'll be fine. Just put it through" "Ma'm, I've heard it can be damaged. I want our medicines to be hand checked" "OK fine, it's your right I guess" The medicines and everything from my pockets, including my micro stream, that went through the x ray machine were waiting when I was done with my pat down.
We flew Continental because we had a credit with them. I don't recommend them. There were no direct flights from Indy to Vegas so we connected in Chicago going and Cleveland coming. I don't think any of our 4 flights left on time. They ranged from 20 minutes to 70 minutes late taking off. You'd think the pilot would try to make up time in the air but one flight was actually more late landing than taking off. Southwest is the way to go.
VEGAS TIME
This was our second time in Vegas. We stayed at a condo behind Harrah's. They had great free shuttle service to downtown, a grocery store, several strip casinos, and they are within walking distance of many as well. They saved us hundreds in cab fair.
Between this trip and our last, we have been in every Strip casino and most Fremont Street ones. If you ever consider going, sign up for the rewards cards! Even if you don't plan on gambling much or at all they still give you free stuff. We got several t shirts. I play blackjack while the wife plays video poker or slots. If you plan to play blackjack, please learn basic strategy. Maybe it was becasue I was at the cheap tables but there were so many people standing on 16 vs 7+ that it blew my mind. Just google blackjack basic strategy. You can print the chart and bring it with you to the table, but you can't use an electronic device at the table. Her limited playing earned us a few things (think free drinks or coozies) and my blackjack playing of only about 30 minutes at each place at $5-10 a hand got us a few free buffets. For the slots you just put the card in the machine and at the tables give your card with your money to the dealer. We gambled at a dozen or so places, but we liked (aka made money at) the Four Queens downtown, Mandalay Bay at the south tip of the strip, Tropicana, and Flamingo. I'd say we came out even or maybe a little ahead. That with all the free booze means a good trip to me! Also, if anyone doesn't know, you get free alcohol if you are gambling in any casino. You are expected to tip the waitresses $1 a drink or so. A bigger tip may mean a shorter wait next time, while no tip may mean the opposite.
SHOWS
We saw the Riviera comedy club where Gerry Bednob headlined. He's the "turban guy" from the 40 Year Old Virgin. We also saw the Tournament of Kings at Excalibur. We are in our early twenties and had a freaking blast at this one. The show is similar to the Medieval Times shows as I understand. Fire, explosions, jousting with wooden lances being shattered into splinters by hitting their opponent with them. Plenty of rowdy people cheering for their sections knight. Note, drink beforehand as you have to pay for your drinks in the theater. We also saw the Madame Tussauds wax museum in front of the Venetian. It was very cool! Most of them are dead ringers for whoever they are meant to be but a few weren't that good. There's a large variety of stars, some popular movie stars, some from bygone eras, sports stars from today and years past. Many picture taking opportunities in there. There's a "haunted house" near the end that is optional but free. We did it and trust me, you won't miss anything if you skip it. Last time we went we saw "The Price is Right" at Bally's. No it's not the one on TV, it's a scaled down version. They call 5 new people down to contestants row after every game. If you win, you get up on stage. If you lose, back to your seat and you get a t shirt. They also randomly announce prize winners in the audience. With all that, probably 1/3 of the audience gets to play or wins a prize. I myself got up on stage and won nearly $5000 worth of prizes! Needless to say we made a bit of money on that trip.
If anyone is planning a trip to Vegas feel free to ask me anything.
On the way back, vegas security was much less eventful. They had scanners but noone was going through them. They also gave me no grief about hand checking our medicines.
