Las Vegas

[tomcat]

Pernie just back from Vegas and said the place is almost dead. They went to the Stardust and the horsebook was the only thing going. The Mexican Restuarant is closed, the buffet is not open for breakfast or lunch and just a few gaming tables were open. He said it is the same at the other casinos. The locals are keeping the place going.

Who would have thought...?

[fred4now]

I was there last month, same thing. Not sure how long they can take this. Got to see Jay Leno for free though.

[Ken Massa]

Interesting and distressing news Tom and Rick. Our friend Steve K wanted to pass along that he was laid off for awhile at the Excaliber where he is a crap dealer. He is off HTR for now while he and Donna lay low with a tight budget. She is still employed at the Bellagio. He wrote to Ernie and I recently and said he is back to work at the Excaliber, but on graveyard shift and the tips are paltry.

If Pernie came back from the Stardust without hitting a royal flush on the video poker machines, then you know things are bad! Seriously - let's hope our annual seminar at the Stardust is not in jeopardy of a budget cut. We were immediately invited back for a 7th consecutive year in 2002 - but who knows what the future will hold for hotel management decisions on tight purse strings. HTR members have been getting such a gracious and fun annual weekend from the Stardust for so many years...... keep your fingers crossed.

[hurrikane]

One thing I find interesting. With all this going on...I haven't seen any rate reductions. I was thinking of taking a vacation there....air fare was higher than I have seen it recently...if they want people to fly lower rates....the casinos had no big specials of any kind. The Belagio had some type of promo going but not enough to get me there.

I thought these people were king of marketing. They need to offer some incentives to get the people out there.

That and kill the F'in UBL

[George]

Hurrikane.....ouch.....you just hit one of my hot buttons........airline BS....

The majors are not interested in low fares to Vegas....most travelers to there are using their "airmiles" from various business travel programs. Ninety percent of seats to Vegas are "free" and rarely does a major airline actually "sell" a seat. This a slow time of year to there every year anyway and they won't worry unless it continues into spring.

What really po'S me is the pretense of financial strain in the industry. AA financially is smelling like a rose if you dig in to the numbers.

1) each plane that went down was insured for 5 times replacement.
2) no lawsuits allowed by govt to relatives of NYC victims
3) govt subsidy money
4) laid off (fired permanaently) tens of thousands of high cost workers with 20+ years in
5) replacing with cheap green card workers

Now if they can just get the public over their unreasoning fear of flying there will be no reason to reduce fares :)

[hurrikane]

Great points George. Seems like the boys are crying wolf. Be interesting to see how this plays out.

[Glen]

Sad story about Vegas. It should all turn around soon...I hope. BTW, I tried to get a cheap air ticket to New Orleans. No such luck..

[Donnie]

Guess I was lucky...went out a week after 911 and got roundtrippers from KC to RI (sue's parents) for less than $100. Wish they were booking for june back then; would bought a block for people traveling from KC.

[hurrikane]

Yeah Donnie...I remember one airline was offing $1 tickets to Vegas right after 911. Only problem was I figured with the plane full they wouldn't get enough money to fill up the tanks and probably stop half way and hit us up for a couple more bucks. :D
Since then seems every thing is status quo..except they have 5 billion in taxpayer money. Wonder why they didn't give anything to the small airports that were closed down and went out of business?

[Donnie]

we had $30 roundtrippers from DM (normally $450!!) to Vegas days after 911. As you said, back to normal now!!

[Bernie]

Hurrikane,

I've also been thinking about a trip to Vegas and found some interesting hotel deals. If you register for free with handicapping.com, they give you 2 nights (Su-Tu) for free at the Boulder Station, including transportation to and from the airport. Right off the strip, Stratosphere Hotel is offering a $20 a night rate with a 2 night minimum and a M-W arrival date - see www.lowestfare.com. Finally, The Suncoast, a nice place that many locals play at (including ace handicapper Ernie Dahlman) on the west end of town near Summerlin, offers 3 nights and other goodies, including airport shuttle, for $120, Su-Tu arrival - suncoastcasino.com.

You might check with hotwire.com for airfare deals.

[hurrikane]

Thanks Bernie...will check it out