I need advise from everyone on Flying to Las Vegas from Pittsburgh, Pa. How long should we Arrive at the Airport in Pittsburgh 2 or 3 Hours ahead of Time? We are flying Southwest Airline to Las Vegas. It will be First Time for Me Flying, But Mother and Sister been on a plane before are going with me. Is it Safe to Fly with every thing going on Now. I need Advise.[?]
It’s still safe, good buddy. I would very strongly suggest, however, allowing at least two and preferably three hours for security and boarding – and I would check with Southwest to make sure your flight is more or less on time (that’s just general good practice, and has been for years – if you think Amtrak has schedule problems… !).
Also, note the carry on regulations. At this time, I would suggest planning on carrying on only, repeat ONLY, personal ID and, if you take any medications which can’t be replaced, those medications in their original bottle with, if possible, a copy of the prescription. Check everything else. Like… everything else. Only with checked baggage, don’t put anything really truly valuable in it, like your 4 carat diamond studs… (that’s always been true, too – things in checked baggage sometimes turn up missing, even if the baggage doesn’t).
Which may limit what you can take, but… better to make it safe and simple.
Well, Considering the events of today with the dumb terror level being raised to RED, I would really watch thier regulations now, They are not allowing an Liquids or Gels on planes, and th;ey are really tightening up things, I would suggest getting there even earlier than 2-3 hours, I know in Salt Lake, they were waiting at least 4.5 hours.
We are depart at 5:00 P.M. from Pittsburgh it takes about 4 Hours to Las Vegas Non-Stop flight. and Coming back on Friday Aug. 18, 2006. We Depart Las Vegas at 10:45 A.M. on Friday.
To answer your first question. Usually you should plan to check in hour-and-a-half prior to your flight’s scheduled departure, although considering recent events, you might want to contact Southwest Airlines to see how long before your flight’s scheduled departure time you should check in.
Is it safe to fly with everything going on? Yes. Other than a bus I don’t see how else you can get to Las Vegas by public transportation. With the exception of the overrun of the runway at Chicago Midway Airport last year Southwest Airlines has a pretty good safety record.
There might be another reason forgetting to the airport early. Southwest Airlines does not assign seats. Instead it gives out boarding cards or boarding passes to passengers in Groups A, B, or C. The passengers form three lines at the gate according to the letter on their boarding pass, A, B, or C; passengers in Group A get to board first after passengers who need assistance or extra time for boarding. You can print out your boarding passes on your computer after 12:01 AM on the day of your flight, and it may be good to do that to ensure you don’t get that middle seat.
The Southwest Airlines flight attendants are somewhat wacky, but they are on the ball. They have been known to break out into song to present announcements.
If you take cameras and film with you DO NOT repeat DO NOT put them in checked baggage. If you put film in checked baggage it will be ruined by the intense x-ray screening. If you put cameras in checked baggage they might be damaged.
Oh yes, good luck in Las Vegas, and watch out for those pay phones there; they may be slot machines in disguise
Rudy and Jamie are on the money. (Although I have never had a film issue). With Southwest , the sooner you check-in, the higher on the priority list for seating you are (Welcome to SWA’s cattle call system - Moo!). Wear shoes you can get into and out of easily at gate security and avoid bringing carry-on stuff if possible…
Just for you - Will break-in the plane for you. Coming into Pittsburgh on Sunday on SWA432 at 2:15PM en-route to Shelocta [:)][:)][:D] You can have Lost Wages all to yourself.
Dirty Feathers in 14C
Maybe you should mail your baggage out to the hotel ahead of your departure date. [:D]
If the lead time getting to the airport gets much longer, the train may have a time advantage yet. Too bad Amtrak doesn’t go to Las Vegas.
Or you could count on the hotel to supply the soap, shampoo, etc. when you get there.
OK, no carry on except for prescription meds, valuable stuff like rings, maybe a camera. I just came back from Vegas. Checked my blood pressure medication with US Air and they lost it. IMHO US Air is a torture system. I only went one day without, but don’t play games.
Don’t kid yourself. There are people out there who are really trying to randomly kill us.
If you’ve got the money, $125/ticket, and the inclination, I’d suggest the “Love” show at the Mirage. It’s a Beatles thing done by Cirque’ de Sole (look, I can’t spell in English, let alone French). It’s a show endoresed by Paul and Ringo. They came in for the opening. I really enjoyed it and my lady was really pleased.
We always take Amtrak to Las Vegas on Southwest Chief get off at Needles, CA but Now its Kingman, AZ get off for little ride on that Commuter Carriers Bus that Amtrak has for Chief, Before that we rode the Desert Wind to Las Vegas.
You have abeseloutely nothing to worry about. If you have never flown before, you will have some really wide turns, and that shook me up pretty good, but after that, it gets very realxing. The other part, I think it is a very small chance a bomb will be on the plane. I know about England, but their are new devices that can check for liquids now. I say, you have nothing to worry about. Have Fun Man!
The advice in the previous postings is excellent and I really don’t have too much to add except to repeat that you would be well advised to check virtually everything. My wife and I have raised travelling light to an art form (we’ve gotten by with two carry-ons for several years) but we’re going to check our one bag (only 5 days in Lost Wages) on Monday.
My experience has been that McCarran Airport in Las Vegas has long had some of the slowest security clearances for boarding so the recent events will only make it worse. Allow lots of time for check-in and boarding on the return trip.
Make sure you see “Blue Man Group” at the Venetian. It’s a bit weird but a lot of fun.
Give yourself at least three hours. That’s the approximate security delay at McCarran for flights leaving Las Vegas. Four hours would be better if you don’t like that, “If they don’t speed up I’ll miss my plane,” feeling.
Some airlines are banning carry-on luggage altogether. ALL airlines are banning liquids and gels in carry-on luggage. The advice on meds is right on. Also, if you have a dark beard and a swarthy complexion, don’t be surprised if you get some extra attention.
The world has gone paranoid. Unfortunately, it’s with valid reason.
Chuck
As I am going to Vegas end Sept please advise your esperiences there. Thanks
I been to Las Vegas alot of times about 8 to 10 times to vegas before on Amtrak on Southwest Chief and former Desert Wind Train, First Time on Plane for me and my mother and my sister are going too. What would You like to Know about Las Vegas Shows, Hotels, Casinos,and Places to Eat? what other stuff you like to know?[:D]
Does Southwest Airline give Maz to read? or other stuff to read on board? Is they T.V. on board?
In-house magazine–yes. It’s pretty good for an airline rag.
TV–no.
On SW you can now get your boarding passes 24 hours ahead. No more midnight stuff.
Have fun.
I would like to thank everyone for info you give me, Aug. 13 is coming fast Now I will be back on Friday Aug. 18, 2006. I hope its a safe trip on the Airline for me and my family.
I fly Southwest alot and recommend you definetly log onto their web site within 24 hours of your flight departure time and get a boarding pass (if your flight is, let’s say, 10 a.m., I would log onto their site at 10:01 a.m. the day before your flight). This will get you one of the “A” passes (they board in A-B-C order) and this will get you more seating choices (they are seating in a first come first served basis). Also, get to the airport at least two hours before your flight departs as you will want to check your baggage at the ticket counter since you can no longer take any liquid (i.e., soda pop, bottled water, etc.) or gel type products (i.e. toothpaste, hair gel, nasal spray…ANYTHING) in your carry on baggage and can only take these things if they are in your checked luggage…THUS THE TWO HOUR SUGGESTION, MORE IF YOU CAN.
All of this will help ensure a smoother and less stressful trip for you and your family.
Have a good trip and stay away from the “painted ladies” in Vegas…remember, ‘What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’
Well, I am back from Las Vegas Baby. We left home on Sunday 13 about 5 hours before, the Pittsburgh, Pa airport is just 40 miles from my home. We arrive at airport about 1 P.M. it just took 5 Minutes to go through TSA Security at Pittsburgh, We had to take off are Shoes, belts, and other stuff from your pockets. So we had about 4 Hours at Airport, so we went to eat at TGI Fridays. Southwest Flt 641 Depart at 5:00 P.M. on time from Pittsburgh, we arrive at Las Vegas at 6:20 P.M. 10 Minutes ahead of time. We stay at the Flamingo Las Vegas for 5 Nights. The Weather was very hot every day 100 to 105 Temp in Vegas. We saw 4 Great Shows, First was Fantasy at Luxor, George Wallace at Flamingo, Phanton at Venetian, and LA Femme at MGM Grand, they are all great shows. We spent around $900.00 on Show tickets. I won about $892.00 on Slot Machines. WE arrive at Las Vegas airport on Friday 18 about 2 Hours ahead of Time, we went Through TSA Security in Vegas took about 25 Minutes. We depart Las Vegas at 10: 35 A.M on Flt 803 on time too, arrive at Pittsburgh, Pa on time. It takes about 4 Hours to Fly to Las Vegas from Pittsburgh. The Crew on Southwest was very Funny leave Pittsburgh. It was my First Time on a Airline for me. and Yes I will Fly again sometime again, But I like amtrak better more room to walk around and more leg room on amtrak than the airlines. Southwest gave us Travel Snacks box, and Free Drinks, But beer is about 4 or 5 Dollars. It was a Great trip to Las Vegas.[:D]
Glad you enjoyed your trip…not a bad deal spending $900 on tickets and winning $892 of it back at the slots! Southwest is my favorite airline, and I am happy you found it great as well. Welcome home. By the way, I have been curious as to what year you were born, would you care to share this with us?