22
Jun
2004
Who knew that on any given Thursday evening, you could pack a bag at 6 p.m., board a plane around 10 p.m., and be in Las Vegas by midnight, all in plenty of time to enjoy the flash and sizzle that defines the Las Vegas Strip?
Last week, members of the Quad City International Airport (QCIA) staff, associates, and other Quad Citians making the most of $89 one-way fares celebrated AirTran's inaugural nonstop flight direct from Moline to Las Vegas, fondly deemed the "Red Eye for the Fun Guy." And fun it was!
A mixed bag of folks, ranging in age from college to seniors and everything in between, boarded AirTran's spanking new Boeing 717, greeted by an enthusiastic crew who welcomed us with large doses of humor, spangle beads, and special box treats (compliments of QCIA). One couple had found there were two seats remaining around 5:30 p.m. and were packed and ready to board by 10 p.m.! Special occasions, anniversaries, and birthdays were identified by crewmembers and rewarded with rounds of birthday songs and mini-roasts. Beverages were immediately flowing, and most of the passengers were mixing it up with one another the minute the seatbelt sign was off. The cabin was buzzing with conversations, jokes, and cocktails. The party had begun!
For those of us who were considered lightweights, relaxing with a book or even napping on and off was no problem during the flight. We deplaned a little after midnight, rested and ready to hit the Las Vegas Strip for an hour or two after checking into our hotel. Having established the lay of the land, many of us retired around 3 a.m. and slept like babies until just before 9 a.m. so as not to miss the buffet breakfast that awaited those who managed to rebound that quickly.
From that point on, the options for entertainment were virtually unlimited. Gambling, golfing, shopping, dining, sightseeing, beauty treatments, shows and/or concerts, and sun-bathing are but a few pastimes to be enjoyed. Casino-hotel-hopping is universally appealing with no gender bias, because gambling and shopping are equally available throughout; plus it allows visitors to experience the spectacular themes that characterize the major casino hotels on the Strip, such as the Venetian (Venice complete with canals); Bellagio (magnificent water show and conservatory); and Rio (Mardi Gras). The Flamingo, Mirage, MGM, Caesar's Palace, and a host of other famous old-timers are bigger and better than ever, and there are new casinos under construction. Each facility has its own unique personality; some are electric with energy, while others are more subdued and refined.
The common denominator appears to be terrific food, from every kind of gourmet buffet, including vast varieties of seafood, pasta, meat, and poultry dishes, to every ethnic type of casual or fine dining, to delectable bakeries, confectionaries, and bistros; there is no end to the culinary pleasure that abounds.
The camaraderie that infected the QCIA's inaugural flight continued throughout the short stay with friendly, funny cab drivers, desk clerks, dealers, skycaps, concierges, valets, bellhops, wait persons, and even maintenance personnel. Las Vegas is a chummy place. Everyone appears to make a sincere effort in providing service with a smile.
The thing is, this new direct flight from Moline to Vegas and back is like spending a weekend in Chicago in terms of the convenience and affordability of getting there. It's about the same three hours going and even less time returning (approximately two hours and 45 minutes), except the mode of travel is by plane instead of car or train. The early-morning return flight eliminates the four to six hours spent in lines waiting to pass through security screening typical of earlier peak-time flights.
There are substantial savings via weekend hotel packages that can offset much of the ticket cost, which is entirely reasonable. The casinos are located in fairly close proximity to one another so cab rides aren't budget-killers, and it is worth the price of admission to see some of this country's biggest talent, such as Elton John, David Spade, and Blue Man Group.
Then there is the romance. It is extremely romantic to spend time with your lover amidst glitz and glamour, doing whatever you please for approximately 48 hours. There are extraordinary art exhibits, conservatories, museums of all kinds, and unique attractions like the Freemont Street Experience (a pedestrian promenade in downtown Las Vegas), including a tremendously vibrant local arts scene. (See page 8.) Believe it or not, a couple can take off late Thursday, have a whirl of a time and be back on Sunday morning in time for church.
Why all the hoopla about a nonstop flight to Vegas anyway? AirTran launched Vegas as a non stop destination almost a year ago from Atlanta, then picked up Dallas and, due to our airport's intense lobbying and incentives, added the Quad Cities as its third nonstop flight to Vegas out of 45 other cities it could have chosen. As airport Director of Aviation Bruce Carter explains, "Having AirTran as one of the low-cost carriers in the Quad Cities is part of what helps keep air fares competitive here." Thus, growing with AirTran only ensures the Quad Cities continue to remain competitive as a regional airport, especially with stiff competition from Cedar Rapids and Peoria. Granted, launching a nonstop flight to Vegas in the summer months with a red-eye schedule didn't make things any easier. And now that AirTran has announced it will cease the nonstop Vegas flight after September 6, it's more important than ever to understand the benefits of the nonstop Vegas flight. What AirTran might not have considered is that a late night red-eye flight is not something most people will be booking months and months in advance. Rather it will more often be a last-minute spontaneous decision to "go have some fun." It's a short flight out and even shorter flight back. You can't beat the pricing and you miss the long security lines. Kudos to the Quad Cities airport for continuing to push the envelope for increased air service to our community!
A mixed bag of folks, ranging in age from college to seniors and everything in between, boarded AirTran's spanking new Boeing 717, greeted by an enthusiastic crew who welcomed us with large doses of humor, spangle beads, and special box treats (compliments of QCIA). One couple had found there were two seats remaining around 5:30 p.m. and were packed and ready to board by 10 p.m.! Special occasions, anniversaries, and birthdays were identified by crewmembers and rewarded with rounds of birthday songs and mini-roasts. Beverages were immediately flowing, and most of the passengers were mixing it up with one another the minute the seatbelt sign was off. The cabin was buzzing with conversations, jokes, and cocktails. The party had begun!
For those of us who were considered lightweights, relaxing with a book or even napping on and off was no problem during the flight. We deplaned a little after midnight, rested and ready to hit the Las Vegas Strip for an hour or two after checking into our hotel. Having established the lay of the land, many of us retired around 3 a.m. and slept like babies until just before 9 a.m. so as not to miss the buffet breakfast that awaited those who managed to rebound that quickly.
From that point on, the options for entertainment were virtually unlimited. Gambling, golfing, shopping, dining, sightseeing, beauty treatments, shows and/or concerts, and sun-bathing are but a few pastimes to be enjoyed. Casino-hotel-hopping is universally appealing with no gender bias, because gambling and shopping are equally available throughout; plus it allows visitors to experience the spectacular themes that characterize the major casino hotels on the Strip, such as the Venetian (Venice complete with canals); Bellagio (magnificent water show and conservatory); and Rio (Mardi Gras). The Flamingo, Mirage, MGM, Caesar's Palace, and a host of other famous old-timers are bigger and better than ever, and there are new casinos under construction. Each facility has its own unique personality; some are electric with energy, while others are more subdued and refined.
The common denominator appears to be terrific food, from every kind of gourmet buffet, including vast varieties of seafood, pasta, meat, and poultry dishes, to every ethnic type of casual or fine dining, to delectable bakeries, confectionaries, and bistros; there is no end to the culinary pleasure that abounds.
The camaraderie that infected the QCIA's inaugural flight continued throughout the short stay with friendly, funny cab drivers, desk clerks, dealers, skycaps, concierges, valets, bellhops, wait persons, and even maintenance personnel. Las Vegas is a chummy place. Everyone appears to make a sincere effort in providing service with a smile.
The thing is, this new direct flight from Moline to Vegas and back is like spending a weekend in Chicago in terms of the convenience and affordability of getting there. It's about the same three hours going and even less time returning (approximately two hours and 45 minutes), except the mode of travel is by plane instead of car or train. The early-morning return flight eliminates the four to six hours spent in lines waiting to pass through security screening typical of earlier peak-time flights.
There are substantial savings via weekend hotel packages that can offset much of the ticket cost, which is entirely reasonable. The casinos are located in fairly close proximity to one another so cab rides aren't budget-killers, and it is worth the price of admission to see some of this country's biggest talent, such as Elton John, David Spade, and Blue Man Group.
Then there is the romance. It is extremely romantic to spend time with your lover amidst glitz and glamour, doing whatever you please for approximately 48 hours. There are extraordinary art exhibits, conservatories, museums of all kinds, and unique attractions like the Freemont Street Experience (a pedestrian promenade in downtown Las Vegas), including a tremendously vibrant local arts scene. (See page 8.) Believe it or not, a couple can take off late Thursday, have a whirl of a time and be back on Sunday morning in time for church.
Why all the hoopla about a nonstop flight to Vegas anyway? AirTran launched Vegas as a non stop destination almost a year ago from Atlanta, then picked up Dallas and, due to our airport's intense lobbying and incentives, added the Quad Cities as its third nonstop flight to Vegas out of 45 other cities it could have chosen. As airport Director of Aviation Bruce Carter explains, "Having AirTran as one of the low-cost carriers in the Quad Cities is part of what helps keep air fares competitive here." Thus, growing with AirTran only ensures the Quad Cities continue to remain competitive as a regional airport, especially with stiff competition from Cedar Rapids and Peoria. Granted, launching a nonstop flight to Vegas in the summer months with a red-eye schedule didn't make things any easier. And now that AirTran has announced it will cease the nonstop Vegas flight after September 6, it's more important than ever to understand the benefits of the nonstop Vegas flight. What AirTran might not have considered is that a late night red-eye flight is not something most people will be booking months and months in advance. Rather it will more often be a last-minute spontaneous decision to "go have some fun." It's a short flight out and even shorter flight back. You can't beat the pricing and you miss the long security lines. Kudos to the Quad Cities airport for continuing to push the envelope for increased air service to our community!
