Susan,

It is a rare occasion when we come home even or a little ahead. The chance of being ahead is what makes the trip interesting. Beth funded most of the trip so I owe her.
She continues to remind me of who was the big winner. But that's OK.

Fred

Bob,

Sorry you can't make the AC trip. It took us about six years to meet you for the first time. Hope that it doesn't take six more to meet the second time.

Fred

Bob: Sorry you can't make it to AC tomorrow, but we'll catch up with you in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks. See ya then!

Beth,
Yes, I am the one who had such good luck last April. I hit 3 royals in one day and another one during the same trip, for a total of 4. Two of the royals were at the Rio, on the same machine, about 15 minutes apart. I know that will never happen again. An even better case did not involve me, but I did see it first hand. I saw a guy get a royal on a dollar machine and collect $4,000. He then went to a dollar triple play machine and was dealt a royal for $12,000. This was on a riverboat casino and the people that paid him on the triple play commented that it was the first time a royal had been dealt on one of these machines. I've had a couple royals on quarter triple play machines, but only on one hand.

Congratulations on the Royal Flush and WTG on those deuces! Coming home ahead is definitely fun to hear about.

I agree that Sam's needs to improve their shuttle service. I normally use it when I'm headed downtown, but I always try to catch a shuttle an hour earlier than I really need to be on my way since the people in line often outnumber the available shuttle seats. I think a lot of folks take a cab back since there has never been a problem getting a seat on the return trip.

Do you know the cost comparison between LVL and taking a cab from the airport to Sam's? I think I'd rather pay a couple of bucks more to take a direct, uncrowded trip to the hotel with my suitcases.

Beth, congrats on the Royal. I haven't seen one yet, but it has to come sometime.
And good move on the picnic with the food from the Onion Bun. I had the turkey pot pie on my last trip and it was great. To get some carryout and have a nice afternoon picnic is a good idea for a break from the casinos.
Sorry to hear you had so much trouble with the transportation. You guys usually have that well planned.
Hope to see you in Las Vegas this coming year.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

Beth-Fred,
I hope it's not 6 yrs. too!I want to go back after the April trip.I hope in May might see you on one of these? Looks like V did the winning in AC! Did you guys and Lee do any winning? TTYL.
Bob NY.

BobG,
I was predisposed in Cleveland, so sadly, I couldn't attend the AC meet.
Lee-PA

Lee, I heard you were hanging out in Cleveland with a Michigan State fan<G> Wonder what she was like AFTER they won the title?<G>

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

I've flown National twice now, out of JFK, upgrading to First Class both times. The worst thing about flying them out of JFK is that they are in the International Terminal, and the walk to Domestic Baggage Claim is UNBELIEVABLY LONG after the return trip.

As for the upgrades, they were $90 each way when I first went, and on my second trip they had been increased to $150 each way. Still worth it, IMO, especially because the fares are so reasonable to begin with.

As for the first row in First Class, I was in the first row both ways. I sat there by choice, and had no problem with the wall, which was no closer than the seat in front of you would be (and the wall doesn't recline!). Also, the first row on the left side of the plane has some more room, but the first row on the right side has a storage area cut out in the wall in front of you.

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Mark L. in NJ

MarkL,
Thanks for your insight. I always avoid the first row both in coach and 1st. Reason is, if I have a large amount of carry-ons (read...I'm carrying on a large amount of stuff for the wife) I can not always be sure of enough overhead space, so "we" need the space under the seat infront of me...er I mean us. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]
Your right 150 ain't bad for the upgrade to 1st. The one advantage I see by them bumping it up a little more is the more likely people won't upgrade, and that means a better chance for me to arrive late and still snag one! [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Fred & Beth, It was great seeing you again! And I do hope Beth is feeling better.

Re: the taxi problem, I'm surprised at the Gold Coast not having any taxis around. But then again, I don't go over that way.

Years back when I used to frequent Sam's Town, I almost never had a problem. Even if there were no cabs, they had a couple of phones that you could call for one.

Then when I was frequenting Boulder Station, once in awhile there would be a long wait for a cab. But on more than one occasion, a Boulder Station worker with a limo would drive me home for whatever fee I wanted to give him. I would give him the same as I would a taxi.

Now, if you ever go to the Showboat, most cabs will ONLY take the tourists to the Strip or to the Airport. Most are very arrogant and direct. Before you get into the cab, they will ask you where you are going. If you say Boulder Station or Sam's Town or any place other than the Strip or Airport, they will say -in broken English, "No, the Strip" or "No, the Airport."

I'm hoping with the new Showboat owners, they will figure out this problem. And I'm very confident they will.

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gailsacco@prodigy.net
Moderator, TalkVegas After Hours
Administrator, TalkVegas BB

Gail,

Yes, I'm feeling much better these days. Thanks for asking.

We also enjoyed meeting with you once again. Glad you were able to join us. Also was nice to see Joe as it may be a while before our next trip.

Understand summer has arrived in LV. Sure hope it doesn't get too hot here too fast.

Beth