I will be going on an UA flight from Las Vegas to LAX, in the early afternoon of Jan 4.

What should I expect, in terms of the time and extent of the security and check-in process there.

Note- I am a Star Alliance Gold member, through Air Canada - so I can check in at the first class line at UA.

PS-Does the airport have curbside check-in?

I am flying to to Vegas on United. My friend is flying in on American. Neither of us will have checked luggage. Our flights get in at the same time.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a place for us to meet at the Vegas airport?

Thanks

Meet by the lizard at the bottom of the escalators at the D Gates.

American uses the east side of the D gates, United has the west side.

So follow the signs to the tram to the Baggage claim, but don't get on. As you go down the HUGE escalator, you'll see these 2 huge sand sculptures (lizards) in the floor by the pay phones... there are also some arrival/departure screens by them.

good luck!

-nate

Thanks for the advice - I am sure we can find the lizzards

In mid July, I will be flying out of LAS on a 8:40am flight on a Monday morning on United Airlines. I've heard horror stories about wait times to go through security, does anyone have any recent experiences with this?

Is it really going to be 60+ minutes for me on a Monday morning?

UA has the following on their website:

Las Vegas, Nevada, McCarran International Airport (LAS)

Customers with checked baggage should arrive 120 minutes before domestic or international flights
Security line information
Peak Times: 6:00am-3:00pm
Peak Days: Sunday, Monday
Peak line wait: 60 plus minutes
Off-peak line wait: 15 minutes

Horror stories were a result of the airport not being able to handle large number of travelers after major conventions.

Figure that peaks times are those highest number of folks would be traveling FROM Vegas, so Mon AM is not unreasonable. Also depends on what airline your flying, as only those going out of the C/D Terms (I think?) have the longer waits becuase they have less scanner at present. More scanners are being added, which should allveiate the problem (we hope).

I went to Vegas recently. All I can say is to get there early unless you have a late evening flight. They (TSA) look to be terribly understaffed.

Last Thursday night @ 6:15pm to Term D -- 0 minute wait.

There appears to be a lot of construction going on to expand the security gates, but that'll take a while to complete.

Yesterday AM 6/23 (AA 1208, dep 0857) D gate lines were fairly long would say about 20 to 25 mins. I was the solitary pax in the F class line.
I think its absolutely wonderful to able to upgrade out ot LAS if only to use the F security.
mike

Monday, 6/28 10AM -----5 minute wait for D gate security

I flew out of LAS on a Thursday afternoon 3 week ago. American Airlines (not sure which gates they were in). No line at all at the first class checkpoint. The regular line looked pretty short. Could not have been more than 5 minutes.

I fly out of LAS D gates weekly on Sunday afternoons. They have not been too bad for a couple of months. Keep in mind that the new gates are almost completed and that there will be a transition period when they will be putting C and D together and it will probably be rough for a little while.

last monday, i flew out monday mid-day with no delay at all. the tram ride to outlying terminals can be 10 minuntes if there's a crowd. but unless there's a huge convention in town, it's really not too bad. the check-in lines can be outrageous on UA, however. (i flew Ted.) so if you can e-check-in, do it.

I think its absolutely wonderful to able to upgrade out ot LAS if only to use the F security.

Unless of course, you're flying on United. :(

yes, there is a seperate line for first class for D gate area the reason if mainly because most airlines use D (Delta/song,United/Ted,American,airtran,spirit,Northwest,Sun Coutry,Frontiere,US Airways,Midwest) C is used only by Southwest and Aloha but southwest has the most flights in/out of vegas A and B are used by Continental, Alaska, Jetblue, and america West (hub city) A and B share a check point. Americawest has all the gates in B and some in A and with the exeption of America West the other airlines in A only have 8 N/S destinations. But if you get to D early you should have no problem the two hours can be much longer if you fly at the end of a holiday weekend or if a convention is in town. The train takes about 5-10 minutes as D is a satalite bouilding and the tram runs under the taxiway. if you have a frequent flyer card and plan on using the kiosk the check-in all the airlines use the same kiosk and when you look at the screen you will see the logos of all the airlines that use the kiosks at LAS when you tap your airlines logo (NOTE Ted is a seperate icon and if you select united it won't find your flight. the same goes for Delta and song) the machine prints your boarding pass and will ask you how mank if any bags you will be checking-in it will not print a luggage tag but most airlines have special lines for people who have already been issued a boarding pass see signs above podium positions at ticketing counter. lines will be getting longer as I guess they will be transfering screening selectees for the gate area to the security check point (has anyone be screened at the gate recently for that mater). On a final note for those privledged few the only airline club is opperated by america west and is before security but we have a FF line for america west Flight Fund elite members and first class passengers.

Let me know if this helps

P.S. for those on UA/Ted economy plus is not considered grounds for the first class line. Also all international (not opperated by an airline with flights out of terminal one such as America west who flys to Mexico, Canada, and centeral America.),Charter, and any flight on ATA, Alligant, hawaiian,or Champion will depart/arrive at terminal 2 other airlines at terminal 2 are air Canada, Virgin, Aeromexico,Mexicana,Jets Go, west jet(seasonal), Airtransat (seasonal), and JAL

My waits at the D gate has never been longer than 15 minutes unless it's a Mon morning and then the longest wait I have had was about 30 minutes.

SNOW

Yesterday AM 6/23 (AA 1208, dep 0857) D gate lines were fairly long would say about 20 to 25 mins. I was the solitary pax in the F class line.
I think its absolutely wonderful to able to upgrade out ot LAS if only to use the F security.
mike

I'm going to LAS this weekend for the Consumer Electronics Show (along with a few thousand of my friends). I'm taking DL. My flight from LAS-DFW is pretty full, so I doubt if my U/G will clear. But my 2 following segments cleared and I'm in FC.

Can I use the elite security line if I have a B/P for a later segment that day in FC? If not, should I check the C line to see if it's shorter? Is there a way to get from C to D?

I'm going to LAS this weekend for the Consumer Electronics Show (along with a few thousand of my friends). I'm taking DL. My flight from LAS-DFW is pretty full, so I doubt if my U/G will clear. But my 2 following segments cleared and I'm in FC.

Can I use the elite security line if I have a B/P for a later segment that day in FC? If not, should I check the C line to see if it's shorter? Is there a way to get from C to D?

I flew out of LAS 745 on 1/3 on AA also to DFW and for the first time in a year my upgrades did not clear. Flight was out of D8 and from entering the terminal to clearing security it took about 20/25 mins.

First I seriously doubt they will allow you to use the F BPs for another airport, they scrutinize them pretty carefully, ever since they stopped along non F elites using the F security.
You can look at the C line to see if it is shorter since its just on the other side of the hall( and accessible), but most of the times it seems that D line is shorter anyway.
I would not bother though the security at LAS has got to be the most efficient in any US airport. They really do have it now down to a science and will pull people out of line turnbacks to head directly to screening to speed up the lines.
What took about 10 mins would have taken 30 mins any other airport.

mike

If you are an elite and check-in on a coach ticket, the ticket agent may stamp your ticket "first class" with a rubber stamp, which will get you access to the priority security line.

If you are an elite and check-in on a coach ticket, the ticket agent may stamp your ticket "first class" with a rubber stamp, which will get you access to the priority security line.

No, not anymore, this was stopped about 3 months ago supposedly at the request of the TSA.

I specifically asked the AA CSR at the F checkin on 1/3 and she said no way.
Which was a waste since there was asbsolutely not one single pax in that line.
I really believe not many F flyers even know about the line or are being informed by the gate agents.
mike

No, not anymore, this was stopped about 3 months ago supposedly at the request of the TSA.

I specifically asked the AA CSR at the F checkin on 1/3 and she said no way.
Which was a waste since there was asbsolutely not one single pax in that line.
The line seems to be used pretty sparingly. It could certainly handle a bigger load.

Who told you the TSA asked for it to be stopped? That's not their business -- the airport is in charge of who gets to use that line, not the TSA.

I confirmed a couple weeks ago with LAS's security/operations manager that the policy the airport and airlines agreed to is that pax with "first class" stamped can use the line. And there seems to be no reason for AA (or whomever) to refuse to stamp the BPs of elites. Maybe someone should contact the AA station manager at LAS.

(edited to add) I went ahead and e-mailed AA's customer relations, asking them to check with the station manager at LAS and come up with an official policy on the matter. I suggested that since the FC line tends to be short, they should stamp elites' BPs. I also mentioned that I'm not aware of any airports where the line is only for FC pax and not elites.

No, not anymore, this was stopped about 3 months ago supposedly at the request of the TSA.

I specifically asked the AA CSR at the F checkin on 1/3 and she said no way.
Which was a waste since there was asbsolutely not one single pax in that line.
I really believe not many F flyers even know about the line or are being informed by the gate agents.
mike

UA stopped doing it as well at about the same time. A UA agent told me that the airport authority found out that elites flying coach were receiving the stamp on their boarding passes and ordered UA to stop using the stamp as UA no longer offers F out of LAS anymore. More info on the UA board.

UA stopped doing it as well at about the same time. A UA agent told me that the airport authority found out that elites...
That's odd because an AA FTer had confirmed with the airport manager a couple years ago that they used "first class" on the sign, but elites were also welcome to use the line.

I couldn't find the thread, however. So I don't see how the airport could have just "found out" when the manager told the FTer quite some time ago what the policy was.

That's odd because an AA FTer had confirmed with the airport manager a couple years ago that they used "first class" on the sign, but elites were also welcome to use the line.

I couldn't find the thread, however. So I don't see how the airport could have just "found out" when the manager told the FTer quite some time ago what the policy was.

According to the UA agent, the policy is that only those paxs with an F boarding pass can use the special line. If the policy several years ago was that F/elite paxs could use the special line, that policy has been changed. If you want to try the special line without an F boarding pass based on what was told to an FTer by the airport manager several years ago, be my guest.

I have actually got the AA counter to stamp my BP for use the F line but that was in 02/04 ( 4 other trips in 04, upgrades had cleared)

The change was mentioned here some months ago by another Ftalker.

I believe part of the problem is that the personnel sheparding pax to the lines are LV airport authority employees and the airlines have no control over them.

LAS had always been a little different than most airports. It one of the few that still match luggage claim stubs and they have refused to give the airlines permission to install automatiic check-in koisks.

mike

and they have refused to give the airlines permission to install automatiic check-in koisks.
Some airlines have their own kiosks, and now the airport also has special banks of airport kiosks that work with most or all of the airlines there.

Some airlines have their own kiosks, and now the airport also has special banks of airport kiosks that work with most or all of the airlines there.

Yep you're right, I forgot about the multi-airline ones now installed on the second level havent noticed any on the ground level, perhaps since I always fly AA I havent paid too much attention to the others.

mike

I've been flying America West to LAS ... a big reason is that the security lines are much shorter on the A/B site.

Be warned that the security lines after CES have been insanely long in previous years, so don't arrive too late or you might miss your plane.

................

Lines on the WN side were extensive today at 11am
Lines on the AA side were none existent

Hower, 130K people are leaving Vegas today

Yep you're right, I forgot about the multi-airline ones now installed on the second level havent noticed any on the ground level
Yes, not a very intuitive spot to locate them. Usually one would not go upstairs without a boarding pass.

Some airlines have their own kiosks, and now the airport also has special banks of airport kiosks that work with most or all of the airlines there.

Were'nt they supposed to introduce the multi-use kiosks in some of the hotels? I thought I read about that somewhere.

I left LAS on DL @ the D gates today. Lines @ security were non-existent @ 9AM. My flight was @ 2 but I got there early because I was worried about the lines, so I jumped on an earlier flight. :D

AA gave me a non-response response to my e-mail. I was quite specific and I have a pretty good command of the English language. It infuriates me to no end when these customer service people respond in a manner that does nothing to answer the questions or address the issues I wrote about :mad: :mad:

We are doing all we can to ensure our frequent travelers have a smooth airport experience in the midst of heightened security. At various airports, AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum® and AAdvantage Gold® members, AAirpass® holders, as well as First or Business Class customers may use special entrances to security checkpoints.

Please note, however, that premium security checkpoint access varies based on local TSA staffing constraints. Also, local regulators at some airports may restrict access to AAdvantage Executive Platinum members only.

To ensure the continued improvement of the airport screening process, the Department of Transportation has asked us to advise customers to contact the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) directly with feedback or issues concerning security checkpoints. The TSA Consumer Response Center may be accessed toll-free at 1-866-289-9673 or you can use their convenient online customer contact form available at http://www.tsa.gov/public/contactus.

In addition, I've shared the details you provided with our General Manager in Las Vegas and our Corporate Security personnel. The airline industry and our government are working in mutual cooperation to ensure the safety and convenience of all airline passengers.

Were'nt they supposed to introduce the multi-use kiosks in some of the hotels? I thought I read about that somewhere.

I know they had them at the convention center, and I think I did see them at some of the hotels.

I left last Sunday evening after the CES show and the security line was maybe 20 people. I was surprised at short it was after hearing the horror stories last year. Took about 3 minutes to get through.

.....

Will be flying out of C (Southwest) on 2/21, departing around 9PM. The TSA site shows that lines normally aren't long for Southwest in the late evening, but I thought it might be busier since it is the end of a long holiday weekend. Any thoughts?

By Roger Yu, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — McCarran International, the sprawling airport serving fast-growing Las Vegas, topped travelers' list of favorite big North American airports, satisfaction tracker J.D. Power said in a report issued here Thursday.

Lines for check-in and security checks move quickly, terminals are clean and it's easy to get around, says Jim Gaz of J.D. Power. The airport, serving more than 44 million passengers annually, increased the number of security checkpoints to 34 from 25 in the last 16 months...

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-06-29-airports-survey_x.htm?csp=34

http://www.jdpower.com/travel/ratings/airports/indexratings.asp?v1=Large

Well, compared to DEN or ATL it's OK, but nothing to write home about. Not much food skyside unless you like Taco Bell or Burger King. Taxi lines can be a b***h. The moving walkways have been down for what, two years now.

What a joke. Really, the longest security lines anywhere, filthy, ugly concourses and very few services airside.

Although, I suppose, USA Today readers whose primary vacation destination is LAS would probably love the place.

It has good entertainment options though.

I specifically fly America West to avoid the huge security lines on the United/American/Southwest side.

The survey probably just favored non-home airports that people have actually used. I doubt Omaha got many votes.

What a joke. Really, the longest security lines anywhere, filthy, ugly concourses and very few services airside.


The D terminal is quite nice.

The D terminal is quite nice.
Yeah, it is but you still have to take a train to get there.

My top picks for domestic airports:

AUS
SEA
DFW (or more specifically, Terminal D)

And I bet IND will be a new fan favorite once the new terminal is completed.

This award surprised me. I guess someone had to win. I wonder did people just make an association between a good vacation in the airport and the city of Las Vegas?

This award surprised me. I guess someone had to win. I wonder did people just make an association between a good vacation in the airport and the city of Las Vegas?

Compared to LAX. LAS is great. But the best ?? Not so sure.
Maybe when they get done with the construction on A&B Gates.
Seems like its been going on for 3 years plus.
Yes, as long as you are smart enough to avoid the cab line
when is 100+ outside. And 300 people are ahead of you. Yikes.

I think its partly psychological. Flying into LAS is always a blast.
You are there for the total escape and several days of heavy
party. That leaves a good memory for alot of travelers.
For as many people go through LAS, it may also influence the numbers.

It would be nice to have something to eat other than Dell Taco.
The Cheers restaurant was nice. Its gone now. And I miss the free
pass to the HP club at LAS with my "Y" seat.
Thanks to USAIR thats gone now too.

Going back in September. Will see how LAS is doing then.

It would be nice to have something to eat other than Dell Taco.

I wish it were Del Taco in A & B, but alas it is Taco Bell. Dining choices in the A/B concourse are severely limited.

As an alternative, you can hop the shuttle bus from HP terminals B to WN terminal C and select from COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF, FRANKLY GOURMET, JOSE CUERVO TEQUILERIA, LAS VEGAS SPORTS LOUNGE, SBARRO, SUBWAY, THE ORIGINAL UNO CHICAGO PIZZERIA, or WOLFGANG PUCK EXPRESS restaurants.

Yeah, it is but you still have to take a train to get there.

I think that's half the fun! I'd rather take a little train like in LAS or ATL or DEN, than have only moving walkways, or worse - buses!

I wish it were Del Taco in A & B, but alas it is Taco Bell. Dining choices in the A/B concourse are severely limited.

As an alternative, you can hop the shuttle bus from HP terminals B to WN terminal C and select from COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF, FRANKLY GOURMET, JOSE CUERVO TEQUILERIA, LAS VEGAS SPORTS LOUNGE, SBARRO, SUBWAY, THE ORIGINAL UNO CHICAGO PIZZERIA, or WOLFGANG PUCK EXPRESS restaurants.

You are correct. Its Taco Bell. And it sucks. I thought they would put something in where "Cheers" was. Will have to take Jet Blue out of LGB
and use the "C" terminal for a change. With all the traffic in A&B you would think there would be some choices ? Just seems really odd.

Don't forget that McCarran is smoker-friendly, also. I've quit smoking, but when I did, I certainly appreciated the easy access smoking lounge at the D gates. I'm not sure about the other terminals.

Don't forget that McCarran is smoker-friendly, also. I've quit smoking, but when I did, I certainly appreciated the easy access smoking lounge at the D gates. I'm not sure about the other terminals.
There is a smoking lounge at the rotunda between A&B gates as well as inside the respective terminals. C has one by the tram and IIRC another one by the moving walkways in the new part of the terminal. Perhaps USA Today only surveyed smoker ;)

Two words: Slot machines.

Two words: Slot machines.
So true! I won $250 waiting for my delayed flight in Jan. I wouldn't condsider it bad considering I had only put in 10 bucks!

they probably picked people who just won $$$$ :)

Two words: Slot machines.

The payout tables on the Video Poker machines at the airport are outrageous.

If you are into people watching, McCarran is the place to watch "entertainers" arrive Friday afternoons and evenings.

If you are into people watching, McCarran is the place to watch "entertainers" arrive Friday afternoons and evenings.

I remember a few years back. Think it was for a Comdex weekend.
We flew in from LAX. About half the pax were "entertainers".
It was a blast. The girls were all talking about what a great weekend it was going to be. The wardrobe department had been working overtime on them.
Nothing like flying with about 50 "Entertainers".

The payout tables on the Video Poker machines at the airport are outrageous.

Dude, its the airport! Whoppers and Personal Pan Pizzas are like 30% more too! :)

Security is so fast and efficient there. :rolleyes:

Seriously. Worst part is it seems to have some of the greatest variance in security waits, making planning especially difficult.

Seriously. Worst part is it seems to have some of the greatest variance in security waits, making planning especially difficult.
Agreed. But using this FlyerTalk Trick (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4823789&postcount=9) for transfering from the A-B gates to C-D gates can help make it less painful when the security lines run long.

I have a MR next Friday night that drops me in LAS between 10:30 PM and 1:00 AM. I've never been to Vegas and it's a shame I can't spare more time there.

I won't be leaving the airport. How would you kill 2 hours at LAS? What's open?

I have a MR next Friday night that drops me in LAS between 10:30 PM and 1:00 AM. I've never been to Vegas and it's a shame I can't spare more time there.

I won't be leaving the airport. How would you kill 2 hours at LAS? What's open?


sorry to hear that..... they've got some restaurants... and plenty of slot machines :D

take a ride to/from the Las Vegas Blvd if you can... some hotels may have free shuttles...

Well, you will have your choice of slot machines in the airport! There is free wi-fi throughout the airport, but it is still an airport, not too much to do. I can double check what may be open when I get there on my MR Tuesday night.

You can visit the Aviation Museum, open 24 hours, above baggage claim on level 2.

If you get off the plane very quickly, I don't see any reason why you wouldn't leave the airport. Maybe just a quick trip to Mandalay Bay... which is super close to the airport. As long as you have a return boarding pass (don't have to check-in) and you arrive on time or early.... you should be OK; IMHO, the security line of Friday night (for a 1am flight) is rather short...

Heck, worst case... you'll miss the 1am and stand by for the 6am --- then you get the whole night in Vegas. :D

there's a US-SCARE club.

and I second the aviation museum. There is also a 24 hour fitness (not far from the USSCARE club) if you need a workout.

IMHO, the security line of Friday night (for a 1am flight) is rather short...

I've waited over an hour for security for the red-eye TED flight to ORD. if the OP is going to D or C it may be a gamble (pun intended).

IMHO, the security line of Friday night (for a 1am flight) is rather short...

Heck, worst case... you'll miss the 1am and stand by for the 6am --- then you get the whole night in Vegas. :D

I wouldn't rely on short security lines for the red eye timings-wasn't my experience on other nights at LAS-admittedly not Fridays.

I've waited over an hour for security for the red-eye TED flight to ORD. if the OP is going to D or C it may be a gamble (pun intended).

I like to gamble... :D

and, I have only had experience with the FC security line... but, worst case would be a Sat. AM flight (standby, of course).... which is probably not that much of a gamble; --- now, Sunday/Monday AM; that would be a real gamble (for standby).

sorry to hear that..... they've got some restaurants... and plenty of slot machines :D

take a ride to/from the Las Vegas Blvd if you can... some hotels may have free shuttles...


I will echo others comments and recommend NOT leaving the airport unless you are planned to spend the night after missing your connection.

I would also urge you to NOT be hungry, as the prices in the Vegas airport restaurants are quite high, as I found out when I bought my $9 Burger King meal!

some hotels may have free shuttles...
Which ones?

Personally, I don't think that 2 hours is enough to leave the airport, get the strip, actually do anything and return.

Which ones?

Terrible's :D

I wouldn't leave LAS with only 2 hours either. Slots should take on a good 5-75 minutes (depending on how well you do). Perhaps a good book or DVD.

You can also walk around.

I will echo others comments and recommend NOT leaving the airport unless you are planned to spend the night after missing your connection.


I was just suggesting a ride to/from the strip. and just see it.. i think
you can easily do it within 30-40 minutes by a taxi.. and/or if you get lucky
with a shuttle. (dont know if there are any free shuttles.. i always drive)

I was just suggesting a ride to/from the strip. and just see it.. i think
you can easily do it within 30-40 minutes by a taxi.. and/or if you get lucky
with a shuttle. (dont know if there are any free shuttles.. i always drive)

to and from the strip? certainly no time for up and down the strip. or no more than 5 minutes for a table game.

Terrible's :D

I wouldn't leave LAS with only 2 hours either. Slots should take on a good 5-75 minutes (depending on how well you do). Perhaps a good book or DVD.

You can also walk around.

24 hour fitness for a workout!

Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm going to skip the fitness club becuase I'm not carrying a change of clothes and don't wish to offend those on the return flights. I habitually walk the concourses of airports between and before flights for exercise and will probably do so. Hopefully that will make me a little sleepier for the return.

I will not leave the airport or extend my stay on purpose, since I really want to spend as much time at home the following day before I take off again Sunday for a "real" trip. I'm not a museum fan, but will try the aviation museum. And, I'm not a gambler, but will waste some coinage in the slots - I mean you have to, right?

I realize in most airports the lounges aren't open 24/7, but I was hoping there was a CRC/PC/WC and it being Vegas, they would be open all night. Oh well.

24 hour fitness for a workout!

24 Hour Fitness is good! You can also ride the Tram back and forth from the Terminal to Baggage claim a couple of times. :D

Get a book, sit and read, play slots.

I don't think I'd try to leave and get back in 2 hours.

I decided to stay in concourse D, where I landed. I was worried that getting on the tram would take me past security and I didn't want that hassle.

I did a little Christmas shopping before 11:00 and played a few slots. I netted a $4 profit on the slots, but spent 20X that in the shops.

The tram does not take you past security, but there is nothing to do unless you exit security except return to terminal D.

QL

You can definitely occupy yourself with low-payback slot machines for two hours. Playing quarters there for that long will cost you about $4000.

Another reason to love McCarran International is the First Class Lounge at Gate 3, Terminal 2. This Lounge is for the exclusive use of First Class passengers, travelling on Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, Aero Mexico, Hawaiian Airlines, Condor, Mexicana, bmi, and LTU. Complimentary cocktails and snacks, espresso and capuccino, and free computer access, it's where I'm posting from now!

Think I'll have another cafe Frangelico. Ciao!

There is a smoking lounge at the rotunda between A&B gates as well as inside the respective terminals. C has one by the tram and IIRC another one by the moving walkways in the new part of the terminal. Perhaps USA Today only surveyed smoker ;)

no more smoker areas.

Hello,
I've seen mentioned about checking in to your hotel at the airport in Las Vegas. Do you know if you can get an upgrade offer using that? I'd like to pay for a room upgrade if possible. Do I have to wait and check in at the hotel?

greatdanelovr, as we have an active thread on Travel -> Las Vegas, let me move your Q there for further discussion. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz

greatdanelovr, you can check in at the airport for the following properties: MGM, Bally's, Caesars Palace, Harrah's, Paris, Flamingo and Rio. You can always ask for a room upgrade, I've done it myself at MGM.

ocn,
Could you give me a link? I'm having a hard time finding Travel>las vegas. Is it under travel and dining forums?

King. is it a computer checkin at the airport or via phone and I actually ask for the upgrade? Thanks. we're staying at the flamingo

ocn,
Could you give me a link? I'm having a hard time finding Travel>las vegas. Is it under travel and dining forums?

King. is it a computer checkin at the airport or via phone and I actually ask for the upgrade? Thanks. we're staying at the flamingo

by clicking on this thread you are already at the Las Vegas forums :).

The check in for Flamingo would be at the Caesars check in at the main baggage claim area (Flamingo is part of the Harrahs Group). There are attendants there to assist you with check in. Enjoy your stay.

Thanks for the help. I did find the link.

Hello,
I've seen mentioned about checking in to your hotel at the airport in Las Vegas. Do you know if you can get an upgrade offer using that? I'd like to pay for a room upgrade if possible. Do I have to wait and check in at the hotel?

Aloha, greatdanelover!

Here's the link to the Flamingo's McCarran Int'l. airport express checkin kiosk, which should help you out a bit! Click here! http://www.harrahs.com/casinos/flamingo-las-vegas/casino-misc/airport-registration-detail.html

I wondered previously if the kiosk was staffed by a person because wanted to know if the $20 tip was an option at the airport checkin?

I wondered previously if the kiosk was staffed by a person because wanted to know if the $20 tip was an option at the airport checkin?

Hi, again! It is staffed by a couple of people; I've seen it, but never used it; It's designed to look like a faux hotel lobby check in, if I recall correctly - but at any rate there is a real person or two there for you to try to snag an upgrade. Come to think of it, if you're so inclined, and really want to play the $20 game to the max, I guess you can try it at the airport, and if it's not working, tell them to hold off checking you in as you're gonna see if a front desk agent at the property wants your $20! ;)

Good luck!!!

You can check in for Harrahs properties at the airport. They have a contract with one of the shuttle bus services, I think Bell Tran, which is totally incompetent: (1) You can wait nearly 30 minutes for a bus to arrive, (2) and then another 30 minutes to fill up, (3) they seem to like using the tunnel, which can take longer than using Paridise Road, (4) they charge you more than if you bought a ticket directly from the shuttle company. You might be able to walk to your casino and get there faster than with their shuttle route.:)

http://www.lvrj.com/business/8639412.html

hopefully they will also turn down the volume on the stupid informercial played non-stop on the monitors...

It's about time - just not sure how long it will take before the new space will be crowded by new slot machines ... :rolleyes:

Part of the problem is all the hired drivers standing around holding name placards for arrivals.

That's right, it's about time they do so.

I plan on flying out of Vegas on a Monday morning late January (flight late morning or early afternoon) and have my choice of airlines between Jet Blue, US Air & Delta. I know the check-in and security lines have been pretty bad there in the past so I was just wondering if that's still a problem and if any of those airlines are particularly better than others mid to late Monday morning.

Thanks in advance for any answers.

My experience is that US Air is the best, but everything will probably be a mess on Monday morning.

Have you seen this TSA website? http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html?
It can probably serve as a rough guideline but definitely not 100% accurate as we got stuck in a jam at SEA and a bit beyond their guidelines.

And at the risk of stating the obvious, do you do web check-in or self check-in? We flew out of LAS on US Airways last Thursday and did the self check-in using a terminal at the car rental facility and dropping off our checked luggage was a breeze. No waiting. No line-up. The regular full service check-in was probably 30-40 persons deep.

Have you seen this TSA website? http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html?
It can probably serve as a rough guideline but definitely not 100% accurate as we got stuck in a jam at SEA and a bit beyond their guidelines.

And at the risk of stating the obvious, do you do web check-in or self check-in? We flew out of LAS on US Airways last Thursday and did the self check-in using a terminal at the car rental facility and dropping off our checked luggage was a breeze. No waiting. No line-up. The regular full service check-in was probably 30-40 persons deep.


Thanks for pointing out that site - I wasn't aware of it and it's obviously a pretty helpful guideline. I do try to do web/self-service check in at the airport where appropriate. Where/how did you drop off your bags when you checked in at the car rental place?

USAir with an elite card is the way to go.

All the info is here: http://www.baggagecheckin.com/

Where/how did you drop off your bags when you checked in at the car rental place?

We flew Delta last time and checked in at the curb with skycap. The airport was busy but we were good to go in less than 5 minutes. We walked in and there was quite a line at the Delta counters. I'd say we'd have been waiting about 30 minutes if we'd gone inside. Of course, remember that if you do this you need to tip the skycap to make sure your bags actually leave the curb ;)

I'm currently booked on a 11:20am that is a brisk 6hour return through CLE. I'm considering trying to jump on the 1:00am LAS-IAH-EWR-ALB. A lot more flying but gets me home at 1pm instead of 8:20pm.

What's the security scene like at this time in Vegas? Will I have any problem getting through with my 11am boarding pass? The flights are all wide open so I don't think I'll have any trouble getting on.

I've done the Continental red-eye flights out of Vegas and at that time the security lines are pretty quick. You should consider doing the $25 confirmed standby.

I do try to do web/self-service check in at the airport where appropriate. Where/how did you drop off your bags when you checked in at the car rental place?

You still have to bring your bags with you to the airport. All we did were check-in and print my boarding pass at the car rental facility. It's pretty much the same thing as web check-in.

Once you get to the airport, near the entrance doors, there's a special desk where they weigh your bags and confirm your docs. This desk was empty and the staff were gabbing away when we were there. Then you take your luggage to the main desk and on the far right side there is a sign that said luggage drop off. Some guy comes over and puts your luggage on the conveyor belt. [We actually went to the luggage drop off first and he directed us back to the first desk which is a bit hidden from view behind a pillar from the main desk.

Good advice from kingalien about getting the confirmed standby if you can. Should you not be able to get on that 1 AM flight you may have to wait five or six hours for the next block of eastbound flights to start.

bj-21.

Be aware that the elite checkin line closes at 12am. As long as you arrive 60-90 min before your flight, you will be OK. Be advised that the 1am flight rarely has F seats available.

Hi All -
I'm passing through LAS on a mileage run this weekend (1/12/2008) and appear to have a 3.5hr lay-over. My departing flight is a red-eye on UA leaving at 11:35pm.
I was hoping to hop out and tool around for a bit before heading back. As a lifetime regular visitor to LAS and former resident, I must admist that I've never flown into/out of LAS on a Saturday!
Would it be reasonable to expect it to be fairly quiet?

Thanks!

Hi All -
I'm passing through LAS on a mileage run this weekend (1/12/2008) and appear to have a 3.5hr lay-over. My departing flight is a red-eye on UA leaving at 11:35pm.
I was hoping to hop out and tool around for a bit before heading back. As a lifetime regular visitor to LAS and former resident, I must admist that I've never flown into/out of LAS on a Saturday!
Would it be reasonable to expect it to be fairly quiet?

Thanks!Assume you have no checked baggage issues. Best guess 20 min cab line outbound. You didn't say what you would want to do in town, you might be able to get in 60-90 mins at the MGM. 5 min cab ride to-from LAS, but again you might encounter a cab line departing whatever place you are visiting. I would have a skycap take my carryons to the cab, thereby skipping the LAS cab line. Likewise, check your bags with the bellhop wherever you go, and said bellhop will help you skip the cab line on the way back. Probably no security delays at 10:30P on a Sat.

Last time I flew from LAS on a Saturday night, the airport was dead. No line at all at the A/B security line (UA is on the other side).

5 min cab ride to-from LAS, but again you might encounter a cab line departing whatever place you are visiting.

Yeah, and if you decide to leave at a time a show lets out it will be a good 20-30 minute or more taxi line wait.

You should be fine returning to LAS 45 minutes before your flight.

Fun story.

My sister and brother-in-law bought tickets through Expedia to OGG. The itinerary was/is: DEN-(US)-LAS-(TZ)-OGG-(TZ)-LAS-(F9)-DEN

The US flight is, obviously, operated by UA/Ted.

When they checked in at DEN, the UA agent said their bags are going to be checked all the way through to OGG, but they need to get a TZ boarding pass in LAS (TZ does not fly to DEN). They had only an hour in LAS.

They arrive in Concourse D, and TZ flies out of Concourse C. Naturally, they exit Concourse D and then realize they just left security. Now, they run over to the Speed Check, only to find out TZ doesn't use it. Then they run over to the TZ counter where they get their boarding passes printed, but with a very short amount of time left. Fortunately, they were able to make their flight with 5 minutes to spare, but it was something they don't want to do again--except they have 90 minutes on the return on Sunday evening (:eek:) and have to do a TZ/F9 transfer.

A few questions...

* A ticketing agent in LAS said to them that a TSA agent can escort them from Concourse D to Concourse C (and I assume vice-versa) without having to clear security again. I laughed when I heard this, but is it true?
* Is there any way to smooth this transition in LAS? F9 doesn't have operations to Hawai'i, but I guess they could do on-line check-in at an internet cafe near OGG. Does F9 use Speed Check?

So what is the latest word from the experts?

Are Sunday afternoons still hell at the C and D gates?

What about Mondays? We're thinking about staying an extra night (Sundays are cheap) and hoping to avoid the crush. :)

So what is the latest word from the experts?

Are Sunday afternoons still hell at the C and D gates?

What about Mondays? We're thinking about staying an extra night (Sundays are cheap) and hoping to avoid the crush. :)

Yeah, I've got an 11:40 AM Sunday flight on Southwest - the last few times I've been it's been worse and worse each time. What are the wait times now, for anyone who's been there on a Sunday morning lately?

Is there a way to get from the A/B/C gates to the D gates without having to go through security again?

Ben

Is there a way to get from the A/B/C gates to the D gates without having to go through security again?

Ben

I know that Mrp Alert did a whole cool post on this very subject, and it's somewhere in this forum; I can't remember where.

Maybe you can find it by perusal and process of elimination.........

Maybe Mrp Alert can point us to it also!

Paging Mrp Alert............... ;)

Is there a way to get from the A/B/C gates to the D gates without having to go through security again?

Ben

Check the consolidated threads sticky for Airport and Airport Transportation threads. In the meantime, this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=646215) may be of help.

I know that Mrp Alert did a whole cool post on this very subject, and it's somewhere in this forum; I can't remember where.

Maybe you can find it by perusal and process of elimination.........

Maybe Mrp Alert can point us to it also!

Paging Mrp Alert............... ;)

Thanks kingalien. The lines are horrible since TSA took over ID checking. I highly recommend taking the shuttle.

I am in charge of my brother's bachelor party and nearly all attendees excluding myself have a Montana DL. The issue is that the Safe ID is implemented on May 11. Montana's governor and legislature has told the TSA and the Fed Gov't to stick Safe ID you know where. The issue is that we are all flying out of LAS on May 11. Needless to say, some attendees are freaking out about this. How likely is it that TSA in LAS will refuse to let them through security? Most of them do not have passports so that isn't an option.

I am in charge of my brother's bachelor party and nearly all attendees excluding myself have a Montana DL. The issue is that the Safe ID is implemented on May 11. Montana's governor and legislature has told the TSA and the Fed Gov't to stick Safe ID you know where. The issue is that we are all flying out of LAS on May 11. Needless to say, some attendees are freaking out about this. How likely is it that TSA in LAS will refuse to let them through security? Most of them do not have passports so that isn't an option.

If you check the "travel security" forum you'll find a few threads where people discuss how you are processed when you don't have i.d.

The short answer is that anyone can fly without i.d. - they will just subject you to a time consuming secondary search.

My guess is that they will treat "questionable i.d." in the same manner as "no i.d." but you would be better off raising this question with the experts in that forum.

As for Montana i.d., I doubt you will be hassled if you have valid i.d., but you never know with the TSA

Thanks for the referral Boraxo. As if on cue, MT's governor and the head of Homeland Security have both claimed victory on this issue yesterday. Apparently MT DL's meet Safe ID standards but don't have the seal of approvals from the Feds. Supposedly, TSA will accept them after the deadline but I don't trust anything bureaucrats and politicians say. I guess May 11 in LAS for us will be a bit like Checkpoint Charlie during the Cold War. "Papieren, bitte."

My family and I (my wife & I, grandmother, father and a 3 year old) are flying back from Vegas tomorrow AM on Ted.

.Bomb shows that it has Premier Lobby, but it seems to show that the premier lines are for 1K and higher. I've seen several threads about sometimes allowing 1P though.. (which I am).

If we get our boarding passes at the hotel, does LAS have the bag check like Ohare's premier lobby does?

Any recommendations for United/Ted at LAS?

Thank you

My family and I (my wife & I, grandmother, father and a 3 year old) are flying back from Vegas tomorrow AM on Ted.

.Bomb shows that it has Premier Lobby, but it seems to show that the premier lines are for 1K and higher. I've seen several threads about sometimes allowing 1P though.. (which I am).

If we get our boarding passes at the hotel, does LAS have the bag check like Ohare's premier lobby does?

Any recommendations for United/Ted at LAS?

Thank you

IME (last time was mid April)... you can use the Premier line (unless you are refering to security, which you MUST be 1K/GS, I was denied entry in Apr).

IIRC, unless you are OLCI, the only place you can get BP's is at the LVCC. but use the same line to check bags.

Recommendations: LAS has free wifi, but the food is pretty blah.

Also, IMO the title is still misleading... change it to something like LAS departure question.

IME (last time was mid April)... you can use the Premier line (unless you are refering to security, which you MUST be 1K/GS, I was denied entry in Apr).Agreed. To be a little more explicit, there are Premier check-in lines that can be accessed by all elites, but only those bold 1Ks and higher may use the elite security line.

If you are not checking any bags bypass the lobby and walk directly upstairs. There are tons of online checkin machines up there that will print out boarding passes for any airline before you hit the security lines.

Normally I fly AC out of T2 at LAS, but my company booked a flight on the owner's AMEX points so I'm coming back on US Air out of T1. The last time I flew out of T1 I did not have status and missed my flight even though I was there 2 hours before the flight. Does anyone know what the line ups are like if you have status? Is 2 hours sufficient? If I recall there is a priority security line too in T1?

My flight leave on Thursday Dec 4 at 6:30pm

Cheers,
Jeff

I think that with that sort of departure time, make sure to leave plenty of space between your arrival at the airport and your scheduled departure time. My last departure from T1 was several weeks ago, but it was a Saturday departure at 7:32 am, and we sailed through in 15 minutes. We had priority check-in, saving us perhaps 20 minutes, but we went through security the old fashioned way, and that took us 10 minutes, tops.
My advice would be to get the skinny from someone that went through T1 at roughly the same time, and the same day, in order to get a really accurate picture of the situation.

Has AC moved to Terminal 1 in LAS? I have a flight booked with them, and on AC.com it is still showing they are out of Terminal 2...Even for flight status of today...they are out of terminal 2?

Has AC moved to Terminal 1 in LAS? I have a flight booked with them, and on AC.com it is still showing they are out of Terminal 2...Even for flight status of today...they are out of terminal 2?

No, they are in T2, but I am flying on US Air this time which is out of T1, which is why I was asking.

You might want to check orbitz.com this Thursday around 6:30pm. Maybe someone stuck in line will post something....

Actually, I just checked orbitz for you....
The history says that security wait times around Thursday 6pm is quite short. That said, I don't know if it's reliable info....

Local news broadcasts are pushing stories about Travelocity assigning bloggers to report on the busiest airports this Thanksgiving. They interviewed the Las Vegas blogger, she a real cutey pie, apparently a British woman.

The *G line takes 10 minutes or less regarless of time of day. If it is really backed up for some strange reason, walk away from A/B security and go through the old C security line. From there, ride the shuttle bus back to A/B. I highly doubt this will be necessary.

Normally I fly AC out of T2 at LAS, but my company booked a flight on the owner's AMEX points so I'm coming back on US Air out of T1. The last time I flew out of T1 I did not have status and missed my flight even though I was there 2 hours before the flight. Does anyone know what the line ups are like if you have status? Is 2 hours sufficient? If I recall there is a priority security line too in T1?

My flight leave on Thursday Dec 4 at 6:30pm

Cheers,
Jeff

Yes, there is a security line for Elites (its on the far righr hand side). Also, I think that Star A will get you into the US Airways loungs which is just outside of security to the right of the secuirity entrance.