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Just some thoughts on our trip last week

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by queuetee, May 4, 2019.

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  1. queuetee

    queuetee VIP Whale

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    My Trip Report

    I am not a big trip report person but wanted to list some highs and a low of our Bellagio vacation 4/23-5/1.

    We were able to get a direct flight out of Boston via Jet Blue for the first time. Great comfort and service .
    We left Boston at 5:45 am and got to LV at 8 am. We got into our room right away so that was like the first vacation day---not a wasted travel day.

    Added some new restaurants to our rotation--Loved Lago. Not a fan of small plates, but they also had a regular entree menu which suited us. I think the view of the fountains is fabulous from their windows and the E Tower now lights up, so that really adds to the experience.

    Also ate at Mr Chow at CP----what a beautiful restaurant with perfect service. Loved it.

    Weather was very warm for April--in the 90s.

    Enjoyed every moment of our vacation but the one low was TSA decided to give me their complete check out---a 71 year old female who uses a cane really is a possible threat. The pat- down was close to a dr's physical plus I had my hands swabbed. I had to stand there for quite a while without my cane while they did all this patting of my body . Dh was livid but I took it for what it was and while I was annoyed, I did not show it as that would not have helped anything.

    Overall another great LV visit.
     
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  2. NCAAHoops

    NCAAHoops VIP Whale

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    Glad to hear you found some new places to eat. we are always looking for a new ine to try. lago may do it on our next trip out. Thanks for the tip. Sorry to hear about TSA, yes some think they are saving the world one swabbing at a time
     
  3. mrstealth

    mrstealth VIP Whale

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    @queuetee Thanks so much for your observations on your recent trip. I've been wanting to try Mr. Chows as I've only heard good things about it and now it is on my "to do" list for my next trip.

    Now, my "rant". I understand the TSA has to do a job, and I am thankful for their helping keep air travel safe, HOWEVER, it is time that they all received some Customer Service Training. Traveling is already stressful for most of us that don't do it every day, those of us that travel with families, and those of us who deal with Health and Age issues. In the last 3 months I've done quite a bit of air travel, half personal, and half with the family, and have had negative TSA experiences on virtually all of them. They have little to no empathy for passengers, and do not communicate well.

    Looking at your story it also appears they have no common sense. Why in the world they would subject you to that kind of inconvenience is ridiculous.

    ** I also wish there was a way to eliminate the liquids restriction.
     
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  4. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

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    Thanks for sharing your thoughts about your great trip! :D
    Sounded like a blast!
    Other than the handsy folks :eek: at the airport, that is!

    RICHARD
     
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  5. casinoshar

    casinoshar Low-Roller

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    We all know they are doing their job and I have been searched swabbed ,but i have to say USA customs are a lot more helpful friendlier i wear a brace and have a cane.The worst airport is Toronto Pearson Airport in Canada just not a pleasant experience.
     
  6. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    You must look like a crook! Maybe you have shifty eyes, lol. :poke::kill:
     
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  7. K-9treatbaker

    K-9treatbaker VIP Whale

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    Never have heard or seen a hand swab. Why do they do that?

    Las Vegas on our return trip did totally search my carry on, totally unpacked it, then said to me, you're good to go. I re-packed my bag, while everyone else had to go around me. LOL Although, I do suspect, since I did have a small bag of coins, that is why they searched it. And I did notice a lot of other people were having their bags totally un packed as well.

    I agree the liquid thing is beyond me. Allegiant only allows one quart bag per traveler so that really made packing interesting. LOL

    Since we are only five and half hours away from Vegas, we may drive for our Sept. trip.
     
  8. gr8whitenorth

    gr8whitenorth VIP Whale

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    Could not agree more. I have spent the last 5 years traveling all over North America. I've traveled through about 75 airports at least and Pearson by a country mile is hands down the worst.
     
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  9. kkinwi

    kkinwi VIP Whale

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    I received the pat down/swab at our local airport flying out last week (68 yo but no cane). Luckily, small airport so I could see my bags while this took place. Flying out of Vegas was totally different than past experiences....plenty of agents to check tix, and very helpful agents while getting my stuff into bins (he actually moved my stuff to only use 2 bins). I'm used to hearing alot of screaming at passengers going on at LAS!!
     
  10. LB9

    LB9 PH Blackjack Degen

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    The hand swab is, and this is what I've been told by TSA verbatim when they did it to me, to check to explosive materials that may be concealed on your hands in some fashion.

    I remember hearing this and why I'm all for safety, thought it was a bit much.
     
  11. queuetee

    queuetee VIP Whale

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    I had read about the hand swap at some point so I knew what it was.....any residue from explosives....

    Enjoyed the pool at Bellagio as always---well run and comfortable so I spent a lot of time there. We did hit the big thunder storm that broke the heat wave. ThelLightning over the mountain range wa spectacular---not something we see so clearly in our area.

    Also enjoyed our first night tradition on the patio of Mon Ami. Beautiful night to be there so we were grateful for the chance to be in LV again.

    Also ate at LeCirque on Saturday---another tradition which we continue to enjoy every trip.
     
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  12. jhpa

    jhpa VIP Whale

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    Re TSA: it makes so much more sense to me to develop a profile of potential problem travelers and concentrate on those subsets of our population with highest likelihood of concern. The problem is, the political correctness police do not allow it. So the TSA has to broadly screen from every demographic category. Inefficient and inconvenient. But politically correct.
     
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  13. Merrymeet

    Merrymeet Tourist

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    Sounds like you had a relaxing trip and enjoyed all that the beautiful Bellagio had to offer. I,too, endured a full body scan, and couldn’t understand what triggered it. Later, it occurred to me that the Shalimar body powder I sprinkled on showed on the scanner and raised concerns about possible explosives. Thanks for your report!
     
  14. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Glad you had a good time!
     
  15. alexm

    alexm VIP Whale

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    TSA screening cannot in any way appear to be profiling and as such it is typically a random process that happens as soon as a passenger is checked in. This is not a decision made at the start of a check in line, but one made much earlier, and typically independent of any actual human being. TSA can choose to pull additional people for further screening based on a variety of visual indicators as ou move through the line.

    As to the TSA employees, they are not customer service agents and they are not guides, yet they are constantly getting asked questions about where they need to go and flights being delayed. They also are not supposed to need to communicate. The signs in the airport and audio announcements tell you what you need to do and what you can't do or have (no excess liquids, belt and shoes off or on, laptop in or out of case etc). These signs and announcements make it fairly simple Their job is predominantly visual in that they are trying to watch everyone and everything and as such there is very little time spent doing anything else.

    A good friend of mine is employed by TSA and her biggest complaint is a lack of understanding from passengers that taking time to have a conversation with you or even offer a simple explanation like why one line over another is taking their eyes off of doing their actual job which could have devastating impacts.
     
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  16. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

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    You are in good company. Diana Ross got a TSA pat down recently. She went on a rant. I have had the complete full body TSA rub down at the Vegas airport. She asked me if I would like to step aside for privacy. Initially I said yes. She then said she would have to call for another agent and she did not know how long I would have to wait. So I let her feel me up in front of hundreds of other passengers.

    We will be at Bellagio in August. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2019
  17. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

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    What did you eat at Mr. Chow? It was good, huh?? I love that restaurant, but wouldn't pay to eat there . . . . :rolleyes:
     
  18. Geogran

    Geogran VIP Whale

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    Traditions make for great memories - LeCirque is one of our traditions and it never disappoints. I’ve had the hand swab once but the weirdest one was the iphone swab, what? I didn’t ask o_O.

    Sounds like a great trip @queuetee ! Thanks for sharing.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2019
  19. DiamondJim21

    DiamondJim21 High-Roller

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    Thank you for the info. Always good to get updates. Sorry about your experience with TSA. Sometimes I think they pick people that look really nice hoping not to encounter any problems.
     
  20. queuetee

    queuetee VIP Whale

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    Mr chow was great....we had spare ribs and some seafood dish for the first course. I ordered the filet---came sliced with a great sauce and Dh ordered the ginger lobster.

    The two sides were shrimp rice and the green beans that were delish in a pepper sauce.


    I did hear about "Miss Ross" getting the full TSA pat down and she felt "violated". I wish I was there to see that whole thing as she does have a real sense of entitlement when dealing with regular folks.
     
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