Las Vegas - What's the deal with the idiotic security at the Venetian?

Just got back from the Venetian. Had a great time.

But why do they have the idiotic security where they check the trunks of all vehicles entering the property?

When we first arrived our cab driver came in the back entrance from Coval(?) and there was quite a backup. I thought he was just trying to run up the fare but later I saw there was a fair backup at the front entrance too.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by zippyh:
But why do they have the idiotic security where they check the trunks of all vehicles entering the property?
</font>

That would be to prevent guests who want a decent view from leveling the monstrosity sitting atop the parking garage. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/rolleyes.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by zippyh:
Just got back from the Venetian. Had a great time.

But why do they have the idiotic security where they check the trunks of all vehicles entering the property?

When we first arrived our cab driver came in the back entrance from Coval(?) and there was quite a backup. I thought he was just trying to run up the fare but later I saw there was a fair backup at the front entrance too. </font>

This your first trip to Vegas?
You perhaps can thank "your idiot govt" for this.
Anyhow this has been going on at many, but not all, casinos since at least Dec 2002
perhaps you havent been to Vegas recently.
mike

I imagine they don't want someone driving a car bomb into the hotel. Sheldon Adelson, owner of the V, is a big supporter of Israel.

QL

Bellagio has been checking auto trunks for bombs since 10/01. Not a big deal.

The trunk of my cab wasn't checked last week when I arrived.

Mary

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by zippyh:

But why do they have the idiotic security where they check the trunks of all vehicles entering the property?
</font>

This is not idiotic at all, there are plenty of people out there who would love to target a high-density area like a big strip hotel. I am glad they take these measures. There is absolutely nothing idiotic about these type of checks.

Case in point, 3 terrorrist bomb attacks on western housing in Saudi yesterday,numerous dead.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MIKESILV:
This your first trip to Vegas?
You perhaps can thank "your idiot govt" for this.
Anyhow this has been going on at many, but not all, casinos since at least Dec 2002
perhaps you havent been to Vegas recently.
mike

</font>

Actually I was there in August 2002 and February 2003. The February trip was the day after we went to Orange alert. Didn't have a single trunk check at any of the casinos we cabbed to, nor at the airport.

The implementation of the "security check" certainly fits my definition of idiotic. Basically vehicles were driving up and popping their trunks. The security guys weren't even looking in the trunks. And if they did look, wouldn't they just see suitcases?

I had two cab drivers say that the Venetian was the only place doing this.

It is up to each hotel to implement this level of security. In some cases, it seems to be tied to the threat level. I've experienced it at different MGM-Mirage properties as various times. I suspect there may be other reasons that the hotels will not discuss publicly.

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A terrorist could easily pack enough explosives throughout the body panels of a car in addition to the suitcases to cause major damage.

I have NEVER seen any of these security guards actually search a suitcase.

Basically, it's nothing more than window dressing to make the guests feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

hockeystl

Venetian does it constantly and most obstruvisely.. but I've seen it at other casinos. At Bally's they made me show ID to park in the garage. Private property so it's their right but it's soo stuipd.

Luckily I gamble off-strip which I guess isn't as tempting to blow up or something.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pitflyer:
Venetian does it constantly and most obstruvisely.. but I've seen it at other casinos. At Bally's they made me show ID to park in the garage. Private property so it's their right but it's soo stuipd.

Luckily I gamble off-strip which I guess isn't as tempting to blow up or something.</font>

In April they were checking cars' trunks at the California Hotel downtown...

Was at the Venetian in Feb. Had to laugh when I arrived in a taxi and the trunk was searched with my 2 pcs of luggage inside. Open trunk, look, close trunk. I guess they were looking for the round bomb with fuse on top labelled ACME.

Bellagio checks the trunk pulling into the parking garage.I had my ID checked at the entrance to the NYNY parking garage in January but they didn't inspect the trunk.

"I guess they were looking for the round bomb with fuse on top labelled ACME."

The memo the Venetian security guard was holding stated the exact same thing! Good one :-)

I have also encountered the ID check at NYNY and Ballys/Paris. I guess they figure no terrorist could possibly obtain a state issued ID/driver's license? Obviously they aren't aware of the ease of obtaining one in the state of TN.

hockeystl

[This message has been edited by hockeystl (edited 05-14-2003).]

Yes, foolish and will NOT make anyone safer. Well, okay it will make us from any terrorists that really stupid.

They look at your ID, and then do what? Just making sure you have an ID that does not say TERRORIST on it?

As mentioned above, bombs could still get through rather easy with the bad stuff inside body panels, seats or even inside suitcases.

Window dressing. Foolishness. No value.

Only shows how dumb the hotel mgmt is.

My observations:

ID check is not really to see who you are (nor to make a judgement as to let you on the property) but delays your entry to the garage long enough for them to photograph the car's registration tag. Confirmed by the "security" guard at Bellagio.

Treasure Island did not check ID/trunks because their parking deck is so far from the main building. Venetian/Bellagio parking is much closer to the populated areas.

Of course, none of this will stop anyone who is determined to carry out this kind of action.

A year later and billion$$ gone and we are really not any safer, just hassled. Are they still taking pics of the car registration?

Dumb - it could be a rental car, stolen car or stolen plates. What good does this do?

Its like a drive-in, they just want to be sure you aren't trying to sneak anyone on the property.