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Chapter 2: Las Vegas! "Here we come!" 2.3 OK. How do we get there? Driving to Las
Vegas
That is not to say that Nevada’s major cities are desolate. They are not. Most Nevada’s residents live near Las Vegas and Reno. Las Vegas and its suburbs have more than doubled in population during the last ten years. And the state of Nevada leads the nation in growth. But there is not much outside of these cities.
So it is important that you take your car in for a complete checkup before you head for Las Vegas. You would do well to carry extra water, travel food and spare tires on your trip. And pay particular attention to your car engine temperature and fuel level. Flying in to Las Vegas Some travelers fly into Los Angeles, rent a car, and drive four or five hours up hill across the Mojave Desert. You simply take Interstate 15 from LA for 272 miles right to the Las Vegas Strip. The LVCVA says that more than 38 thousand cars cross the NV/CA border on I-15 daily.
Flying in, you will see the Las Vegas Strip and the high rise hotels that line Las Vegas Boulevard ...or the bright lights of the city if you come in at night. Don’t be surprised if you see the Eiffel tower, an Egyptian pyramid, the canals of Venice or the Statue of Liberty. They are all there. Negotiating the airports
(1.) If you wish to lock your baggage, use a TSA recognized lock so that screeners can open and re-lock these bags. TSA screeners have tools for all accepted and recognized locks. Screeners will always try to open a bag without breaking the lock. Most locks on the market are not TSA-recognized so you will have to leave your luggage unlocked. If a bag is locked, the TSA is allowed to cut the lock off. The TSA can also open most locked American Tourister and Samsonite luggage. (2.) Prohibited items are weapons, explosives, incendiaries, and items that are seemingly harmless but may be used as weapons - the so-called "dual-use" items. There are very specific rules as to what you can bring in checked and carry on luggage. And they are different! The TSA has a chart of items that are permitted and prohibited in your carry-on or checked baggage. For example: cigarette lighters and safety match books may not be checked, but are allowed in carry on luggage. Metal scissors and knives with pointed tips (blunt tips are OK), golf clubs, box cutters, tools (screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, etc.) may be checked but are not allowed in carry-on luggage. Personal care items (such as nail clippers, nail files, safety razors, umbrellas, etc) may be either checked or carried on. Place valuables such as jewelry, cash, laptop computers, and cash in carry-on baggage only. (3.) Metal items may set off the alarm on the metal detector. If possible, avoid wearing shoes, clothing, jewelry, and accessories that contain metal. (4.) Place mobile phones, keys, loose change, money clips, PDA's, lighters, large amounts of jewelry, metal hair decorations, and large belt buckles IN your carry-on baggage prior to entering the screening checkpoint. (5.) Do not pack wrapped gifts and do not bring wrapped gifts to the checkpoint. Wrap on arrival or ship your gifts prior to your departure. TSA may have to unwrap packages for security reasons. (6.) Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on baggage. Checked luggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film. Also carry on any medication that you may need during your trip. (7.) Keep your airline boarding pass and government-issued photo ID available for each adult traveler until you exit the security checkpoint. (8.) Take your laptop and video cameras with cassettes OUT of their cases. (9.) Be aware that it may be necessary to “pat down” passengers to detect explosives at the security checkpoints. TSA policy is that screeners must use the back of the hand when screening sensitive body areas. For non-sensitive areas, screeners will use the front of the hand. (10.) Jokes or statements regarding bombs and/or threats during the screening process are taken very seriously. They may be grounds for both civil and criminal penalties, and could cause you to miss your flight. (11.) Check to determine your airline’s baggage policy, including number of pieces you can bring and any size or weight limitations. Carry-on baggage is limited to one carry-on bag plus one personal item such as a handbag or briefcase. Be sure to remove any old destination tags from your luggage. You certainly don't want your bags ending up in the wrong city! (12.) Do not overpack bags. If screeners have to open them, closing overstuffed bags can be difficult and may result in that checked bag being delayed until a later flight. (13.) Remember to put identification tags in and on all baggage including laptops. Many bags look alike! Try marking your luggage with something unique ...such as a colorful ribbon or a fun sticker. This will make it easier for you to identify and more difficult for someone else to mistake as theirs. This will also come in handy if you lose your bags and need to describe them to an agent (14.) Want to determine if there are any delays at any airport? The FAA posts a neat Airport Status and Delay Information map here. |
Factoid: Six and a
half million people visit Las Vegas for the
first time every year!
Factoid: Sixteen of the twenty largest hotels in the world are in Las Vegas. |
