BeatCal

My "favorite" United story is when I was in Chicago. Somehow they got a copy of Delta's very frequent passenger list and sent me a free first class ticket to try them. So, i did. I boarded and was sitting drinking a scotch (full first) when the GA boarded with another passenger and told me that Mr X was one of their premium passengers and that since I had a free ticket, I had to move to the back. I refused and have never flown United since

MSPeconomist

WOW, what a great way to make a good first impression and acquirre your competitor's best customers.

GRALISTAIR

Exactly what I was thinking.

DYKWIA2014

As the old saying goes "you never get a second chance to make a first impression"!

kettle1

BRILLIANT!

OP: What year?

NotHamSarnie

And, more important, what scotch?

brocklee9000

I don't think so. LAX-LAS is like 30 minutes from rotation to touchdown. And I'm certainly not one to spend 3.5 hours in an airport. Assuming good weather, no delays, and I check a bag, I'll show up 45 to 60 minutes early (depends on whether the airport has a minimum drop off time, and if it's a lengthy journey, such as at LAS from the ticket counter, up and over to security, then a ride on the tram), go through security quickly, and be at the gate for a minimal amount of time, so that I don't have to stand at a crowded gate (again, something like D41 at LAS accommodating a 757).

StuckOnSegments

If you're a FF and this isn't your game plan, I'm worried about you. 4-5 hours at the airport? That's just insane(unless you have to connect obviously).

MSPeconomist

Some people do this for the lounges.

brocklee9000

The last time I had a 4 hour layover was a while back, at BUF on a mileage run. I used it to my advantage and hung out with the flight crew. They had a long layover before they turned around the same aircraft, a shiny new CR9. So I got a personalized tour of the plane, hung out on the flight deck, and got a glimpse at a day in the life of an airline pilot (which was particularly nice, since that'll be me in a few years).
But other than that, I try to keep my layovers at 1hr30 or less (maybe 1hr45 if there's just not a better or more affordable option), if practicable.

kettle1

Was this a 2am arrival and a 6am departure? If not, why would any airline not turn the AC sooner? Just wondering?

Congrats on becoming a pilot!

CarmenOM

Exactly.

I once scheduled a six hour layover at JFK on a MSP-JFK-LHR itinerary on which I was connecting from DL to VS and Terminal 2 to Terminal 4. The renovated Sky Club had just opened and I'd never been in the Clubhouse; I wanted to check out both. (And yes, of course, the Clubhouse was the better option)

brocklee9000

Well it was definitely the most fun MR I've ever done. I took a redeye SLC-JFK, had breakfast in the T2 club, then hopped on the Endeavor flight to BUF. I had a 4 hour layover before my flight to ATL, and theirs was almost equally long. I'm not sure why the turnaround was that long, because I've been on Endeavor flights for MRs where our turnaround was maybe an hour long (and there's always at least one FA that's like "Weren't you just in that same seat an hour ago?" hahaha). Regardless, the same two pilots prepped the same plane, and flew back to JFK right before my MD88 boarded for ATL. In a couple semesters I'll be taking an airline scheduling and dispatch operations class, maybe I can give you some insight then.

WestSideBilly

I live/work 40 minutes from LAX. LAX-LAS is a wash in terms of time flying vs driving. 40 minute drive, 15 minutes on the parking shuttle, 5 for security, try and walk up to the gate at ~30 minutes out (gives me 20 minute leeway with traffic), 50-60 minutes in the tube, get a cab (this is often the longest part) and be at my hotel about 3 1/2 hours after I left work. This is cutting a LOT of margins closely and leaves very little room for traffic, parking, or security (precheck helps a ton here, obviously, and checking a bag is not an option). A more sane person would probably allocate closer to 5 hours for the process.

Driving is usually 4-5 hours, but can be longer, especially coming back on a Sunday.

Flying to LAS and taking a car to Primm is probably not faster, but would be much less stressful than trying to escape LA traffic.

There are some airports where a 4 hour layover means you can leave and do something interesting (going to In-N-Out by LAX and watching planes takeoff/land is a popular one).

Sousaphil

I've definitely gone to LAS way earlier than necessary because of the AMEX Centurion lounge. Complimentary buffet and cocktails before my flight home? Yes, please.