Well, this is the saga of our July trip report, and while I had a lot of good times, when it gets bad...it really gets BAD.

Flying Delta this trip, for a couple of reasons. #1, the price was right at the time of booking. Flights through Cincinati (can still smoke in KY), and Gold Star Chilli. The added pleasure of dealing with people from KY (the state not the jelly).

I booked months ahead for this trip, but a day before departure, I get an e-mail saying my flights have had a change. A 6 hr lay over on our return flight, I call and get my flight moved to a later departure from Vegas. (pay attention, this will prove fateful upon our return)(although little did I know, I was a happy camper again).
Wednesday after a hard day of work we drove to Allentown and boarded an ontime flight to Cincy, KY. At the airport, Sharon got her toe nails done (what ever that intails) I roamed the airport and chatted up the pretty girls working the various stores. Everyone seemed so pleasent. Then dinner at Gold Star Chilli. I know it's junk food, but I love these! Next on to Las Vegas, we arrive early.....but have to wait for a gate asignment.... Luggage takes an hour at the carrosel!
Car is by Thrifty, and we snag an up-grade, the senator would be proud, a lincoln continental. It's a nice ride, plenty of trunk room, and it cools down quickly. I't even clean! With gas prices so high, they arn't renting those big cars like they used too. woohoo!
We check into Caesars for 2 nights, get an upgrade to Agustus tower, and it's an ok room. Jacuzzi tube, and all. Just no wow to be had in the place, if you know what I mean. Maybe we are a bit jaded lately, we've seen so many of Caesars rooms lately. We gamble till about 3am and call it a night. I am out about 800 bucks and Sharon is doing well. I refuse to get more money out of my wallet. Those $5 machines eat it up pretty fast, and I ain't going there tonight!

Thursday, We over sleep! Daisy is expecting us at some show at 2pm and to meet up at 1pm before the show at Sam's Town....we'll never make it. We rush around shower, dress, and out the door. Only problem Valet is jammed up. We wait and wait. Finally, it's out turn and out the shute we go...
Well we arive a little after 2pm, sorry Daisy, the show wasn't worth the race over. LOL Daisy pretty much described the show already in her trip report. It was geared to the older folk, and I'm almost 50, so when I say older, I mean the dead and dying! LOL Sorry Daisy, after you where so kind about the looser show we dragged you out for.
After the show, we stopped for breakfast at the new Sams cafe. Service was good, and daisy seemed to enjoy her soda.
After breakfast we hit the bar for some VP and it skinned me for about $800. OUCH and so early in the afternoon too. We had to beg off and visit Sheplers. Sharon found some shirts.er.r.r tops or some such. I milled around looking at country stuff, I would never wear, like big cowboy hats, and big belt buckels.
We played a couple of wheel of fourtune slots and hit the road for Caesars.
Upon our return, we get a bottle of Van Gouh Expresso for the room and have a nip for the walk around the Harrahs properties. Sharon has a coupon for $75 at the new Italian place at Harrahs, so off we go.
Penazzi, in the guide books it states romantic, it aint. It states quiet, it aint. It states upscale, it aint any of this. However, the food was outstanding! I ordered a bucket of beers for the table (sharon doesn't drink a lot of beer) so it looks like I better be thirsty! Peroni, a very nice beer BTW, and it goes down so nice.hick-up! I ordered the Scalops and an appi of calimari. It was the best of both, I've eaten in a very long time! Sharon ordered a saled and the spegetti at meat balls. 2 baseball sice meatballs, and a plate of spag. First comes the calimari, in a giant bowl we share, then Sharons saled is brought to our table and the waiter made me a saled too. (I didn't order one) I need room for this beer after all, I do have my priorities, ya know? ok, I picked the good stuff out of the saled. The entres where big, I ate the scallops, and took the final beer to go! Harrahs doesn't serve Peroni in the casino. Time to leave!
Flamingo, Garden bar, we play, we loose, we move on. Over the bridge back to Caesars, where I find a decent machine by the garage that will give me quads.....I finally break even for the day, and get another quad (5's) for 250 ahead and quit playing. I dribble it away on the way to the room at the $5 top dollar machine....I never got the perk! Sharons luck went south here as well, and it was bedtime before 2am. we call down and get a late check out. Another expresso cocktail and sleepy time for us.

Friday, is MOVE day to Main Street Station. So we get up and pack at a leisurly rate. Shower, and grab a bite in the Buffet. It was ok untill it was check time. SSSLLLOOOWWW, we want to leave, and feel like we are being held prisoner!

Check out smooth and everything was free, including the Vodka, which we'll use at the next hotel. Car comes up quick today from Valet, and off to MSS. We take the strip downtown. As a matter of fact, we rarely used the freeway at all this trip. A lot less traffic then normal this whole trip.
Check in at Main Street Station always smooth. we're in a regular room facing the freeway. Tonight we have Kathy Griffin tickets at Mandalay bay with JMT & Daisy. So we hang out at MSS till it's time to get ready for the show. I loose as normal for this trip but get reaquainted with the machines. We freshen up and I put on pants. Off to Mandalay bay, we arrive and the place is packed, seems there was a concert that night as well with Journey and cheap trick and Heart. Daisy & JMT meet us at the bar, we go in for the show. IT SUCKED! There I said it. I felt so bad dragging my friends out to see this show. The audiance loved her, but we didn't. I guess I just don't watch enough bad TV. That's what her intire show was about, knocking these badly writter or produced shows. After the show, I just wanted to slink away. Maybe we should have made a secret pact, that we never talk about this show to anyone, and act like it never happened. All I can say is SORRY GUYS, I vow to do better next time. Boy that sets the bar really low doesn't it? LOL
we head downtown and dinner at the Brew Pub....someone kick me if I ever eat there again! Poor service, poor food quality, oh, and the noise. There is a bunch of Hawians singing oldies in the resturant with about 40 of thier friends. This night is like something Rod Steiger would be narrating in the backround. The gambling wasn't much better either.....We said hello to a couple of cocktail waitresses and called it an early night. 1am, it was time!

More to come...later

Lee,
Loved your trip report! I especially liked the title, although it was very deceiving as I thought you had car trouble.
I am a big fan of Kathy Griffin and I am sure you are too as you made it a point to see her show. I always wanted to see her in a live performance as I have seen all her specials and her reality series as well. I was very disappointed to hear that her show was not good at all.
My Husband always wanted to stay at Caesar's as he feels this is classic hotel. I like staying in the new upcoming hotels. The Palazzo was my influence!
Looking forward to the rest of your report.....
I just love Las Vegas and it brings me back there hearing all the stories.

Lis,
I'm not a big fan of Kathy Griffin, I never was, but reconized the name and thought what the heck. There where plenty of people in the audience who enjoyed the show, it just wasn't our cup of tea. It sounds like you would have enjoyed it, and I'm guessing your a bit younger then me. A lot of these shows/performers, draw to a age group. Most of her jokes/comedy seemed to be geared for a younger television watching crowd. I watch very very little TV, so I was left out of most of the show. The Kerdashins, arn't they in StarWars or was that star trek? Is Barney Miller Still on ABC? LOL
You can't go wrong with a new upscale hotel for glam and WOW factor. Don't get me wrong Caesars has some wonderful rooms, I've just seen them before, so the suprise thing is gone for me now. We tried to switch to the Palazzo, but could only getthe Venitian, so scrubbed that idea.
Back to the report....

Saturday,
I wake up to the sound of the phone ringing (we had no wake-up call scheduled) Sharon is in the bathroom, so I answer, it's 9am, conversation follows.
Me, Hello (a bit groggy)
person, Are you coming?
Me, coming? who, where?
person, you know!
me, No I don't, who is this?
person, this is katie, the slot host at the Fremont, are you coming?
Me, Who do you want to talk to?
person, is this Mr. Lee-PA?
Me, yes.
person, well you have a 10:30 time for the slot tournament, you missed the sign-up yesterday. Can you make it, are you coming.
Me, ok, I'm in a slot tournament, my start time is 10:30 at the fremont?
person, yes
Me, ok, I'll be there. click
I hang up the phone, and shower and race to the Fremont for my slot time. I make it in plenty of time and so begins my day. beating the daylights out a button for 20 min. I had no idea of this, My host must have just signed me up and forgot to tell me. Anyway I was kinda a celebrity, they where all wondering who was the missing person, I was the only one un-accounted for, of the flock. Had a poor first session
We hang out at the Fremont, my second session is at 1:30, so we grab breakfast, and back to beating the daylights out of a button for another 20 min. Had a better second session. We stay and play more at the Fremont and finally dribble back to the California and Main Street. Till it's time for tonights show at the Palazzo, Jersey Boys....

Got to run and do a service call...to be continued.....

We arrive early for the show, and find some very bad pay tables on some VP and play away, for about an hour. No drink service to be had! An hour and not even a wiff of a cocktail waitress! This is beginning to look like another bad night. But even on the bad pay machines Sharon and I both stay afloat, each of us manageing to eek out a small profit! Show time, we hand our tickets in and head to the show bar $14 for a bacardi and coke, we each order One only! I tell Sharon to drink it slowly! Jersey Boys is a Freaking Fantastic Show! If I where to say it in true Jersey boy fashion, the word Freaking, would be replaced with something unprintable here! I was not put off by the language, heck thats the way you talked. It's a noun, verb and adjitive. LOL
Wendell, if your reading this report, I think your virgin ears have heard a lot worse, and Maxine my dear, have wendell hold your ears, because this show should not be missed! There where kids (12yr and up)in attendence, and I didn't feel bad for them at all. I was really taken by this show, I want to see it again, and I will. Did someone say there is a longer version when it plays other places??? I'd like to see it! This was the first time in a long time, I actually wanted to get on my feet and applaude at the finali.
After the show we slowly left the building. I wantewd to play some more VP, but I hadn't eaten since breakfast at the Fremont, so my stomach was telling me "FOOD NOW"! We walk to Delmonico's and while the resturant if booked, we sit atthe bar and order dinner (full menu) We both order the bone in strip steak and asparagus and smashed potatos, BBQ shrimp for appi. Everything was tasty, but I rather perfur the bone in rid-eye truth be told. The cocktails where very tasty here as well, however I had to limit myself here, they make them strong! $215 with tip, and we're on our way back to MSS. My main problem now is, I'm so freaking full. I'm fading fast, so we head to the Brass Boar bar and begin playing hitting some quads along the way. Sharon is full as well and comes up with the idea of our expresso Vodka in the room, she heads up to make a couple of cocktails and brings them down to me at the bar. It becomes and all nighter! I never get up from the machine except to pee! Bed at 6am, my first day ahead!

More to come.......

Lis, I have enjoyed Kathy in a stand up comedy role. This show we saw was mostly not comedy...at least not to me. And she did make it clear from the start that Lee and I were at the wrong show. If we would have aisle seats, I think we would have left in the first 10 minutes.

She used a lot of really foul language and she sounded like a very bitter person. Imagine someone going though a People magazine and a couple of other of those magazines with pics of movie stars. Now imagine that every picture you come to, she has something bitterly ugly to say about them. Suppose she says that one is fat, that one had injections, that one had a facelift, that one is mean, that one wears too much make up, etc, etc, etc, EXCEPT instead of saying those things, she is beyond insulting. She says it in a very jealous and vulgar way. I guess she was nominated for an Emmy or Oscar or something one time. And she knows a rap star. She's pretty proud of those two things and the rest of her life is a train wreck.

I guess if you read those tabloid magazines and are involved in their day to day lives so much that you love to hate them, then you might like the Kathy Griffin show. I recognized about 1 in 20 of the names she used. That totalled maybe 25 names that rang some kind of bell in my head. The rest was greek to me. Out of those 25 names I recognized, I only knew about half of them enough to know who they were or what they were or what they were famous for.

If I had known that Lee used this show as revenge to Daisy, I don't know if I would have gone. <g> Just kidding Lee, I know you wouldn't do anything like that to Daisy and I know you wouldn't put yourself through that show if you knew what it would be like.

Lee, that's the wildest marketing scam I've seen in a long time. Let's see, you are late to a tournament that you didn't sign up for?

I think you liked Jersey Boys as much as I did. You express it better though. I can't find where they cut much other than the intermisssion. I've done a little research through their website. They have a steaming audio section with songs and interviews from the Vegas show, the Broadway show, the touring shows, etc.

Did you see the early or late show? I saw the late show on a Fri or Sat night, and I had heard that they didn't use the main star in the Frankie Valli role. You could have fooled me. He was great. I can't imagine a much better one.

Sunday,
Wake up at 9am, I have another session of slot pay in this tournament, only this time at Main Street Station. This session I do really well, but going into this session I'm #134, I need a killer session to finish in the money (top 75 players). We will find out later how I did atthe awards dinner tonight at the California. We pick up our welcome gift, a 6pk cooler bag, 2 travel mugs all are blazen the Boyd logo. Also all are PINK! After my session I'm done till dinner, so I see a BJ promotion the one where after you get 21 blackjacks you get a free MSS polo shirt. I begin playing I get 17 stamps and only loose $450 This is going to be a very expencive shirt! Dinner at the California so we head over for the awards banquet. I finish #113 out of the money, but we have a very enjoyable meal and meet some new people. BTW, I'm in the minority here, 90% are Hawian and 5% hispanic, I'm in what ever group is left over. We hung out at MSS & California the rest of the night. I went back to get my final 4 stamps on my BJ card. I got my shirt with another $100 loss. But I'm beat, we call it a night after I get a good run on a triple play quarter machine. Helping me to a second break even day! I feel like I'm wasting my vacation time sleeping, but I'm not enjoying it tonight.

Monday,
Breakfast at the Cali cafe, and out to the silverton the Bass Pro Shop and I shop and buy a new fishing shirt (I don't fish, but I like this one style of shirt and the pockets). It's a great traveling day shirt, vented in the back, and lots of room for casting, er I mean moving around in a airplane seat! LOL At the Silverton I'm having trouble staying awake. So I naturlly move to the 5 play VP dollar machines and hold my own for a couple hours, till I finnally loose all my winnings, but I was up~LOL!
We leave the silverton and head to South Point, I'm hungry anain, so we hit big Als oyster bar for Lunch I have the crab legs an excellent meal in itself. We play here awhile and again no damage done to my bank roll. Next the Rio, haven't been here in awhile, but we play slots here as no VP really looked inviting. Daisy told me her new game was something called "Sun and Moon" So we found 2 machines side by side and began playing. I still don't know what happened but I got 5 of those things and got 50 free spins, I was playing 5 coins a line. Cashed out $289 on that one and left the Rio up, something I have never done to this time and probably never will do again! Next up the Wynn dot. What a vacume these VP machines where. But the drinks where tasty, I love the drinks here. Service was great too. Somehow we ended up with two cocktail waitresses, not a bad thing at all. But it came out to about $150 a drink, even with them bringing them fast! After about $900 worth of drinks, I call it quits, and we get home to MSS. Our last night here and my but is dragging. I play a little bit over atthe Cali, and have a late snack atthe cali snack bar. Hot dog with cheese and some spring rolls. MSS, for a little 5 play action and then my beloved treasure chests which I got cranking. Got some of that Wynn money back! LOL It's getting late, I'm up a couple hundred bucks, and it starts the last day drain. You know, when you should quit, but you still want to play, but it's getting late and sleep is really what you need? Well we finish off the Vodka and I start playing that $5 wheel of fourtune (stupid move really) and some $5VP that the pay tables stink. Anyhow, I finish down for the day about $500. Yes it could have been better, but it could have been worse too. We say our goodbyes to our friends at MSS and the Cali. We head up at 3am for bed.
One more day....the day the wheels come off....

JMT, They kept me on property for a couple of extra hours with that promotion, but I enjoy the boyd dives. I truely beleive my host signed me up for the thing and never told me. My guess is they needed X number of people to justify the money. I fit the time slot and presto she threw me in the mix, neglecting to tell me. The hostthat called was a fremont host, not my MSS hosts.

Joe, I think I saw the best show of my life, bar none! We seen the early show, and your correct the lead is different for the second show. I was sorry to see the show come to an end.

As for your take on the Griffin show, you got it right, she was mean and bitter. I just didn't get it. Others did though, I just always felt you don't lift youself up by pulling others down. I felt sorry you Sharon, Dasiy and you. I wanted to bolt after 20 min. of her stick! I promiss, I'll do better next time, maybe I should stick to resturants...I seem to do better at those! LOL

Lee - how about we just meet for lunch or dinner next time - and skip any shows<vbg>?

You should try the Venetian or Palazzo sometime just for the variety of it. There were a lot of lousy VP pay tables at Palazzo, but there were also a lot of 9/5 DDB machines and NSU Deuces also - pretty comparable to Harrah's strip properties.

Congrats on the Sun & Moon machines, but you're third generation cuz Tater turned me on to them<g> - I learned to like "50 Lion" machines on this trip too.

thought i would reply before this thing goes into the dumper<G> the point is fast becoming my fav place to eat in town.great oyster bar, great prime rib,if you need gourmet there is michaels,buck dogs at the book,good midnite specials in the cafe.the only thing i don't like is not one happy hour in the place. hope the wheels don't come off to bad,i hold my breath.

Lee - I'm really enjoying your TR - you never cease to keep me laughing. Please wear that Boyd polo shirt to the Thanksgiving meet. I don't think I've ever seen a $550 polo shirt before.

Yes Lee, I read your report and I must admit, I have read better reports from you where you had better times. Although I don't have the Jersey Boys scheduled for our upcoming trip, I will definately make it a point to catch them at a later time - based upon your recommendarions. Look at this way, ALL trips to Vegas are good trips (win, lose, or draw). I guess our favorite city has definately got its hooks into us. I have been alot of places in what used to be known as the "free world" and there is no other place like it. I always enjoy reading your reports - see ya in November! Wendell and Maxine

So is the new polo shirt pink too?

Didja notice any of the half cent machines? Or find out about how they pay out?

Lee, I always enjoy reading your trip reports. I saw Jersey Boys in LA and thought it was amazing. I'm glad to hear that the Vegas version is just as great. It sounds like I'm the same age as you but I definitely could never pull the kind of all-nighter that you do.

Lee, Eric and I are getting a kick out of this. Though I enjoy gambling at Sam's Town, you have to do a lotta manuvering to get around the walkers, scooters etc.

I never heard of Van Gough Expresso before you mentioned it in a post from another trip. We went to the Drake in Chicago for our anniversary and they had a van gough expresso martini. It had van gough expresso, kahula, bailys and a shot of expresso. Was tempted to try it.

The Wynn and Ceasars give you the best drinks IMHO.

Can't wait to read the rest of your report.

Ellen

PS Thanks to all for warmly welcoming my son Tim to the board.

JMT, The polo shirt is Blue, thank you very much.

Mike, I'm afraid to wear it (my $550 shirt), I might get a mark on it!

Wendell, There is no place on earth like it....you got that right!

Gail A, as I get older, those all nighters are getting fewer and fewer. I also pay more dearly the next day for them too!

Eric & Ellen, Sometimes Sams looks like an old folks home doesn't it? LOL You should have tried the Expresso Martini, we only live once!
Tim who...oh, you mean "TIM THE DEALER"! LOL I can't help wonder if that's the way he will be addressed at family functions?

Dagwash, and now when the wheels came off!!!

Tuesday, Time to leave for home

Breakfast one last time at the California Cafe, I get snotty eggs, so I just eat the toast and ham.
We have a 11:40 flight on DELTA through Cincy KY.
We say our last goodbyes and head out the door of MSS, I am in a particully good mood, I tip the Valet $20, and to the rental car retun we go. No problems here, peice of cake. Head to the airport, do curb side check in $3 a bag, I'm happy to pay it, as it cut down the long lines something feirce. We head to the gate, wait a short time and board, we push back from the gate late, but not bad. Then we sit on the tarmac for 1.5 hrs. Something about weight and runway direction and missing our scheduled time, and fuel. The pilot would come on from time to time and talk jibberish, about all the above. The plane is warm and uncomfotable. People are getting upset. Sharon starts in on me about possibly missing our connection, I say there is nothing I can do. Sharon doesn't talk much to me after that for about an hour. We sat on the runway burning enough fuel, we can now take off the direction everyone else is. So we get our turn and off we go. I'm hoping JMT can make some sence of what went on here.
We arrive in Cincy, our conection is gone. The only flight from Cincy to Allentown is gone. We go to customer service (which is some sort of oxymorn with Delta), They have us spending the night with food vouchers, hotel, and a little kit bag with tooth brush and supplies in it. The tomorrow late morning 11am, leaving from Cincy to Atlanta to Allentown PA. Anyone own a globe? Ohio is next to PA, Why am I going to spend 7 hrs flying to PA from Ohio? I'm a little upset, but I keep my cool. Sharon takes charge and I breifly try to be calm ing, when that doesn't work, I step back. Sharon insists on getting home tonight!!!
Well, she says the Newark flight is delayed, if you RUN, you might be able to catch it and we'll ground transport you from Newark to Allentown??? Go she says run!!! I'll put all this in the computer, they will be waiting for you in Newark. We run, we make the flight (of course our luggage didn't). We fly to Newark. We get off the plane at 10pm, the place is a ghost town. We talk to severl agents, no ground transportation for you they all say! Just like the soup nazi on Seinfeld! We head to baggage claim, that is our best chace of help we are told. They are calling supervisers at home, no one would autherize groung transportation we where promissed. They offer to get our bags delivered to our home. At least that is one less worry! WE are told again to run down to transportation and ask about a bus to Allentown airport....I do, I'm told there is one at 12midnight. I relay this information to Sharon, I want to rent a car one way. Again she takes control and says we're taking the bus, it will be cheaper and then you (me) won't have to drive, your tired! I'm actually not so much tired as I am hungry. I've had 2 pks of crackers, and I have been wishing I would have sent the eggs back to have them cooked correctly now! 12:10 the Bus comes. Anyone have a clue who is riding public transportation at midnight from Newark??? Want to guess??? It's comprised of people you'd run into at the Gold spike casino and gang bangers! Nice, there are no seats togeather. I sit aside of some smelly guy, I have no clue who Sharon drew, but I don't think she was happy. Now we are riding along and I'm clicking off the stops as we go.
Now a little history one Allentown airport, It goes by the code letters of ABE (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton) But, on the road signs leading you to the airport, it goes by LVI (Lehigh Valley International) airport. I think they have one flight to Canada. OK, so you got the LVI thing, this is a crutial pivitol point. The lady at the trasportation desk pointed to LVIP and said that was the airport in Allentown (to be honest she looked a bit high) but hey, I could be wrong about that, maybe she just didn't give a flying freak? LVIP= Lehigh Valley International Parking. NO, No No No! How about this>...Lehigh Valley Industrial Park? Hmmmmm, droped off in an industrial park at 3am in the freaking morning! Ok, I'm thinking "I seen this in one of those hack'm up movies" This isn't good! I am now in an industrial park, with no freaking idea of where I am, or even which way to walk to a main road or even the direction of said airport! MMMMMOMMY! Damn, if I'd have had a pair of ruby slippers, I would have put them on and clicked my heals and said "there is no place like home, there is no place like home". Oh, did I mention, I don't have my cell phone. I forgot that at home. I call people! I get stuff done. Sharon has a phone, but I ask her to call 411, lets get a taxi out of here! Or do a search for a local taxi company...google it for christ sake!....
Oh No, sharon is in control now, we will do it Sharons way, again I shut up, wondering how long it will take for anyone to find our bodies. She asks a total stranger where are we, and how far is the airport. She (the stranger) makes a call She tells us her brother is coming for her and they will give us a ride to the airport. Really, thats so nice, but no thanks, is what I would have said. Not my Sharon, she says OK!
Anyone remember that thing growing up about not excepting rides from strangers???? Helloooo!
Her brother shows up, and I offer to help with her bags (politeness to my potential killers) ok, Here is the stage, Hispanic brother & sister giving us a lift to the allentown airport in his low rider chopped toyota, complete with fart tube. I offer my assitance with her bags. In the trunk is rope, duct tape and a 2 gal. gas can about half full, along with rags and a beach chair. If I'm going to die, I just hope the do Sharon first so I can say I told you so! Yes it's late, I'm cranky and I'm hungry! Oh, it's looking like rain, perfect!
They drop us at the airport, they wouldn't take any money for the lift, I felt bad for thinking all those horrid thoughts, for about 3 seconds. That could have went so bad so easily.
We walk to the car as it starts to rain.
We drive home, but not before a stop to the 24hr McDonalds. I often wonder who eats at 4am in the morning a double quarter pounder with cheese.....evadently, I do!
Sharon makes it to work at 7am, I'm seriously beginning to wonder if she is human? I make work 8:45ish and go home at 10am. She puts in a full day Wednesday.
Our luggage arrives Thursday afternoon, both peices damaged, ah Delta, that was the cherry on top!

That concludes my trip report....at last!

A few odd notes....

Thank you big oil
Less strip traffic
Less California drivers & pedestrians (they tend to smudge the bumpers so)
Upgraded to lux car...nice, the tiny ones were all taken! hehe

I played some slots, I really like the wizzard of Oz slots and the Alfred Hitchcock slots. Hitchcock makes me jump everytime I get a random bonus. The Oz slots are just kinda happy, can't put it in words. There is another new monoploy game, I didn't play.

I played a lot of triple and five play this trip. I keep hoping for that delt made hand like Dueces or a straight flush, or dare I say it, a Royal!

I'm kinda planning a trip, but I haven't done any ticket buying.
There just seems like so many places I want to go right now, Chicago, Orlando, Germany, San Diego, Las Vegas, Colombus Ohio, The boat. The list goes on. I won't miss Wendells Thanksgiving meet for sure. September 11 to 16 is most probable for my next Vegas adventure. I doubt it will be on DELTA!

Thanks for reading

let's get this up on the big screen,i will pay good money to watch this!!i have read this two or three times because i don't believe what i am reading! i always say "great trip report lee,you always have a great time" think i will pass on that.

Lee - what an ending to your trip. I'm just glad you and Sharon got home safely.

BTW - Regarding Jersey Boys and a longer version elsewhere - I've seen the show both in New York and in Chicago. The show in Vegas is definitely shorter but apart from the shortened intermission, I'm not sure why. I compared the programs between New Yorka and Vegas and all the songs are there. I think maybe they just cut some of the dialogue in the Vegas show to shorten it up.

The sequel to Planes Trains and Automobiles!!! Now I can't complain as much about Delta almost getting me into Vegas a day late on my Wedding trip!!

What a hoot!

Sorry you couldn't get in Palazzo. I really think you'd enjoy it.

Was Kathy Griffin as bad as the commedian we went to at the Riv.? You didn't say anything about walking out of her show like we did.

I just booked Palazzo for next month WITH PATTI! I'll make sure we get to Jersey Boys. Any recomendation on seats?

I thought Lincoln quit making the Continental several years ago? Did you sweet talk/bribe someone to get it?

You should have called me from Cincy, I'd have picked you up! LOL I agree that you've got the makings of a movie there. Was the bus actually SUPPOSED to drop you where they did or was it a mistake?

Oh well, you're safe at home with another Vegas trip under your belt, er, fishing shirt.

Senator,
The Lincoln had 10K on it, so maybe it was a little older. I don't know, I never followed that car, and it being out of production is news to me. No bribe, no nothing, I think he was happy to give me a bigger car.

The drop off was a scheduled stop. It's at a closed bus terminal in the indutrial park. About 4 other people got off and walked to parked cars.

I would have walked out of the Griffin show, but we where in the middle of a long row of seats. I kept hoping it would get better...it didn't.

Jersey Boys, center about 10 to 12 rows from the front. Perfect. We where in row Q = 17 rows back center.

Home again.....can't deceide if we should go in September...what are your dates?

Layne, I'm guessing you fly Delta alot.....sorry to hear that! LOL

Dag & MikeD
I'm just glad to be home, and glad that day is behind me.

Everyone, Thanks for reading such a long report,,,I got a bit windy.

True, but we enjoyed it - are you going to fly Delta again??

Wendell,
I don't really know, I guess it will depend on how they react to my letter. I beleive they where wrong in handeling us, and sort of left us for the wolves.
We survived, and Delta will continue to fly. Let me tell you, a $50 voucher to apply toward another flight won't cut it. The bus tickets where $25 each. I have an open mind, and up untill this past experiance with them, I was pleased. I sure like that Cincy stop over.
Thanks for reading!
Lee-PA

first off,i told my wife years ago that i will not fly east of the mississippi after we took a flight from atlanta-memphis-detroit-minneapolis-seattle.this was the famous flight where the pilot said over the pa system-hey we will take off with one and jump-start the other in the air.she has to go to orlando on business for our city and i was checking flights for her.down hill no problem.alaska air,non stop,about 150 one way.coming back she wants to spend a few days in atlanta with family.now that is going to cost 550 to stop for 3 days but i could not get a non stop flight atl to sea.delta had flights from atl back to orlando and then non to sea,other flights from atl to chicago to sea and on american i finally found a flight atl to dallas to sea at least it was headed in the right direction but an 8 hour flight up hill to sea and it was cheaper to book two flights not a multiple city flight.i could go along,not free,but i told her not a chance in hell and read lee's trip report! she does not like to fly anyway,even the two hour flights from sea to las require many vodkas to get her there.i figure this trip will probably end her flying days.lets see,that could be me solo to vegas.anyway,to those of you flying from east of the mississippi i feel your pain.

Senator -

I would not recommend upper balcony seating for Jersey Boys. Lower would be fine but definitely not upper.

If I see it again, I'll do it from the main floor.

Lee, I was laughing so hard I was crying with your Newark experience. Having grown up in New York City, I can't even imagine being stranded like that. You're description was hysterical.Thank God things went OK. Tell me, did you experience the Eau De Newark. You could'nt miss that odor if you tried.

I've never had an easy experience when it comes to switching planes.

I salute Sharon's courageous faith in strangers!

At least the dead passenger in the bathroom wasn't on your Delta flight or maybe she was.

Keep reporting.

Ellen

Eric & Ellen,
Glad you found the humor in my plight, I did too, even as it was happening. It was like what could possible go wrong next!
Newark has a unique oder all it's own. LOL

Sharons faith in strangers is amazing, now if she could have a little faith in my driving skills we'd really get somewhere!

I've been reading some of the horror stories from Delta on the web. There seems to be a sizable amount of people that have had problems with "customer service" at Delta. The dead person I heard about last evening, What a lonly way to die, in a airplane toilet.
Maybe they are offering 2 classes of service now...Restrooms are to the forward of the cabin and the rest-in-peace rooms are to the rear of the cabin???

DAG, Are you sure you shouldn't go along with your wife? I mean, just so she doesn't have to drink alone!

Lee, Our Sept trip is on American. We were able to get Travelocity package, room and flight, for a lot less than using others.
A few years back, I got a Delta American Express card to rack up miles???? Yea Right! I was wanting to use it to fly from Greensboro, NC to LAX. For months the only flight where I didn't have to use double miles was to fly into LaGuardia then take a transfer Bus to JFK then to LAX. But you had to get your bags get on the bus and then check back in at JFK, ALL in 1 hour and 19 minutes. I called their customer no-service and spoke to "DOT" in India and was told that it was all that was available. Plus the return trip would take me on a red eye to Boston and then 5 hours later a flight would leave for Greensboro and get me home the afternoon of the next day. I told her to forget it and I bought a direct flight on USairways. But later I did get a good time free flight back to LAX.
But I was also trying to help my mother get a flight to San Francisco on USAirway or as we called it when I worked on their computers, USEless Airways. I started looking in March and there was not a single flight available for the whole summer except for leaving on 4th of July and leaving to return home the same day.
Finally around the end of Sept. they had some openings without using double miles. I sent an email to their customer service and got the generic BS about "If your plans are more flexible and you can fly at different times that I may be able to book a flight" Yea, if you are willing to schedule your flight over 7 months in advance!!!

sitting an hour and a half on the tarmac would have set her in overload mode.she would have gotten off the plane,jumped off the plane,arrested and thrown off the plane.in your case it just might have been the right move <G> wait a minute that's not funny!

Layne,
You must have more patients then I do. The last time I booked a flight with FF miles it was through Diners club. Everything went smooth. But those airlines....it's fustrating.
I figure by the time I can afford to spend double miles to get Sharon and I back and forth from a vacation on one airline, they will change the rules or raise the miles needed. I just don't worry about those FF miles anymore.

DAG,
I wish your wife all the luck with her up-coming flight. I don't get into airplane trouble too often, but when we do, we really do it up big!

There's something to be said about the kindness of strangers. This week I was out for a walk and noticed a woman leaning against a tree. I couldn't tell if she was laughing or crying hysterically. I asked her if she needed help. It turns out she had just come from the hospital and was in pain. Her ride had fallen through so she got on a bus to get home. But she got sick on the bus and got off. She tried to hail a cab but was in a bad spot and couldn't get one to stop so she just broke down. I found her a place to sit, calmed her down, and called her a cab from my cell phone. She didn't have much cash and only had a credit card. The cab that showed up didn't take credit cards so I gave the driver a $20 to get her home. I didn't know what else to do (I could have walked in the other direction when I saw her) but felt I did the right thing.

I hope if I'm ever in a similar situation or a situation like Lee and Sharon were in, that some strangers will be kind enough to help me.

Lee, have you heard the latest Delta news? $50 for that second bag.

Oh Lee, your trip home was UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
I'm glad you had a better time in Las Vegas! I'm also glad you two got safely home.
Toby said that your story beats any other travelling story he's heard, and some years, he's been away for 250 days.
It must have been horrifying, but you told it so well that I now have to go reapply my eye make up........
The only thing that would have been better would have been if Kathy Griffin had been on the bus!

Mike D,
I was thankful, they didn't cut us up into little bits. I do not have much faith in strangers.
What you did was very kind, the lady was lucky you happened along. Generally I must admit, if I see someone crying I tend to stay out of it. My luck, husband shows back up for round 2 just as I interfear! No thanks pal, lately my offering of help is to dial 911 for that person. I know it sounds cold, and it is in a way. The last person I stoped from getting hit, now lives with me full time.....My house is full! LOL

JMT, They could make it $100 a bag starting with the first one. I would gladly pay it, if my bags came out on the carrosel quicker!
Service, where did that concept go , in the SERVICE industry?

Tater,
If Griffin would have been on that bus, she would have went down, if she would have opened her mouth. LOL
We were very lucky.
Thank you for taking the time to read this train wreck of a report. I am hoping I don't have to write another one like this ever!
Lee-PA

Remember skycaps? They "can" get a bag to a flight in a hurry for the right tip. Or thay can put the bag on the belt and let the ramp rats handle it. The airlines are tapping into their income. The passenger pays $50-$150 to the airline and expects things to happen. This is dirty pool. You can look for Harrah's or MGM to take notes as they love to squeeze blood from rocks.

Lee - I know what you're saying. Things like that are risky. It was 50/50 for me helping that woman. But I let my intuition take over and it worked out for the best. In your situation, I'm just glad you and Sharon were okay and found your way home.

JMT, I guess it's all about squeezing everyone! It may come a time when I'll have to be pro-union. Nah.....nothing could get that bad.....or could it?


Mike, Today while working at the shop, a woman pulled up (drove)and asked one of my employees for money to buy a gallon of gas. He gave it to her???
I told him, I hope he feels good about himself, she's half way to her 8ball now! LOL

Lee, you obviously pay your employees too much money.

JMT, That's the funny thing, the guy who gave her the gas money, is in debt up to his eye balls. Every month it's a major challenge to make the mortage.

I guess I'll never understand some people.

So you wanted me to make sense of why Sharon starts in on you about connections then doesn't say much after you tell her that it's out of your control? It's not like you're gonna get stuck in Newark, take a bus full of goobers to an industrial park and catch a ride with a stranger and end up eating at McDonalds. Get real!

Seriously, we don't know what happened on your flight. I can tell you one scenario that makes pretty good sense...

There's a lot of little factors that come into play in your situation. Pilots make a lot of money because you don't understand them and they do. Many years ago, planes would take off and get stuck in a holding pattern over a bad weather airport. This led to diversions to alternate airports, planes running out of gas, and a waste of fuel. The simple answer was the ground stop. Controllers had computers that could calculate when your plane would arrive and plan your flight from departure time. Even if your destination had good weather, the big picture might involve traffic jams along your route. So the flight is given a time frame in which it can take off. If landing traffic at your destination is tight and you miss your window, you might have a longer wait for the next opportunity. So that's your "ground stop".

Then there is that pesky runway choice. Airplanes need a given amount of airflow over the wings to create lift. It comes in the form of speed of the plane and ambient wind. The more of a headwind they get, the less speed they need from the jet engines. And if there is a tailwind component, they need that much more airplane speed. So they need enough runway to get up to the speed they need to take off. But they also need enough runway to stop if they have to reject the takeoff before they get flying. Again, headwind is your friend in that component. So 99% of the time, you take off in a headwind. The major exception is to use a longer runway when winds are just light and variable or no winds. There are about 15 major runway configurations for LAS airport (and dozens of alternates), depending on wind speed and direction. Certain runways are for take off, landing, or closed. Each runway is actually two runways depending on which way you are going. An airport might have a runway 13 (which is 130 degrees on the compass when lined up) but if you are lined up to take off on that runway going the other direction it is runway 31 (310 degrees on the compass) Changing runways at a busy airport is no small task. A pilot can't chime in and say "give me runway 13". There are other planes taking off and landing too. Some airplanes may be 50 miles out getting ready to land, but they are setting up for landing at a certain runway with traffic all around them and they can't just go around. So while your pilot had a choice of runways. He probably wasn't happy with his choice.

Why wasn't he happy? Because he was too heavy. While you were being served snotty eggs and ham, a dispatcher in Atlanta decided that your flight needed X amount of gas for your flight. He assumed that you would be on time. The more gas you have on the plane, they heavier it is, and the longer your runway needs to be.

Also, the plane is hot because the air conditioner is designed to work in flight. It has limited capabilities on the ground and after about 15 minutes, those limitations are out the window. The pilots feel your pain on this one. Remember that the cockpit is a combination of an electronics closet and a green house. That's not the place to be on a hot day when the a/c is weak.

So I'm guessing that this is what happened. Your plane was prepared properly. It pushed back late and missed that window of opportunity to land in Cincy. While waiting for another release time, the local weather changed and they flipped the runways around. When a takeoff time was offered for your flight, the only runways available were the short runways. Your flight was too heavy to use those runways. Your plane probably had to wait for a longer runway to open, but there were several other planes waiting for a longer runway and most of them probably had tight release windows.

I don't know if pilots can do it these days, but we had an old trick at Braniff that beat the system. It might work like this. Your pilot is late and misses his take off window. He and his dispatcher recalculate the whole flight to overfly Cincy and go direct Buffalo or some other less busy airport. There are no holds, so away we go to Buffalo. After takeoff, the pilot changes his flight plan to land in Cincy. They can always squeeze one more plane in.

Thank You JMT!
Knowing that the pilots where also uncomfortable as well makes me feel a little better.