Vegas, Baby!

[Hanzii]

So, it seems like I will be going to CES in january 2006, so I too need a good, but not immensely expensive hotel, where I can get to the convention center without renting a car (no liscense).

Any things to see apart from the city itself(first time US visit).

Finally, I might be flying either KLM or American Airlines. KLM flew me to South Africa few years back, which was ok, but nothing special. I've never flewn any US carriers, but have heard some bad things - any views on airlines going from Europe to Vegas?

[schild]

We'll be there.

[Shockeye]

So, it seems like I will be going to CES in january 2006, so I too need a good, but not immensely expensive hotel, where I can get to the convention center without renting a car (no liscense).

Good luck with that. Hotel room rates skyrocket during convention times.

[Fargull]

Hanzii,

Not sure about Trans-Atlantic, last time I flew to Europe it was on TWA, which to be honest, peeling one's face off with a spoon is about as much fun.  I have flown Delta and American with in the states for the last couple of years and so far American is top of the list there.  I don't know shit about Vegas, so no suggestions there.

[WayAbvPar]

If you want to go low on Hotels, staying off the Strip is a good start.  Most of them have shuttles that go to the strip, or you could take a cab for a few bucks.

[Bunk]

So, it seems like I will be going to CES in january 2006, so I too need a good, but not immensely expensive hotel, where I can get to the convention center without renting a car (no liscense).

Good luck with that. Hotel room rates skyrocket during convention times.

Cab rides are cheap. I stayed across the street from the Hardrock, which is one mile off the strip, and cab rides to the Mandalay Convention center were under $10. Book early if its convention time.

The place I stayed was affordable, but pretty rundown and old, so I wouldn't recomend it unless you get desperate. Hell, I can't remember what is was called anyways.

[Yegolev]

Do you have a license, or just no US license?  Your license should suffice, but if you want to feel extra comfortable you can get an "international driver's license" which basically says you gave someone <ten US dollars in your currency>.

Edited bracket faux-pax.

[Hanzii]

No license at all (yes, that actually works fine over here... allthough the 20 or so privates pushing my around in a truck while I did my national service as a sargeant might not agree).

The company I work for isn't exacrtly poor, but a lot of the hotels on the Strip is allready sold out (and yes, the special convention rate seems to be high), but I am hoping to get a day extra on both sides of the convention, which I might have to pay for myself... so while going luxury might pass with the comapany, that would hurt me later.
What are the Bellagio prices? Their online booking is out of order. Luxor looks nice (in that special Las Vegas tacky way), but looks to be sold out allready.

[Strazos]

As far as carriers....

I took British Airways on both of my legs to Rome. They were great.

I took Virgin Atlantic back to the US from London. They were even better.

I took US Airways twice, between Philadelphia and Orlando. They were ok I suppose; It was just a domestic flight, after all.

It will be a damn long flight from you, coming out of northern Europe. If I were you, I'd upgrade to one of the better carriers if possible. Good amenities and legroom are key on those long hauls.

Cute little British chick flight attendants don't hurt, either. 

[Bunk]

No license at all (yes, that actually works fine over here... allthough the 20 or so privates pushing my around in a truck while I did my national service as a sargeant might not agree).

The company I work for isn't exacrtly poor, but a lot of the hotels on the Strip is allready sold out (and yes, the special convention rate seems to be high), but I am hoping to get a day extra on both sides of the convention, which I might have to pay for myself... so while going luxury might pass with the comapany, that would hurt me later.
What are the Bellagio prices? Their online booking is out of order. Luxor looks nice (in that special Las Vegas tacky way), but looks to be sold out allready.

Bellagio is notably ritzier than the Luxor, so likely more expensive. Personally, I like the Luxor - good poker room. Avoid the Excalibur unless you really like white trash and snot-nosed kids. Alladin is central on the strip, and supposedly not bad.

Which convention center do you need to go to? That should help you decide where to stay.

[Rasix]

Bellagio is notably ritzier than the Luxor, so likely more expensive. Personally, I like the Luxor - good poker room. Avoid the Excalibur unless you really like white trash and snot-nosed kids. Alladin is central on the strip, and supposedly not bad.

Having stayed there recently, the Alladin is not bad all.  The room was nice even if the sheets were somewhat disappointing. The buffet was good.  Poker room didn't seem too terribly great, although playing with a mix of drunk jackasses, Texans, old folks, and Eurotrash was a hoot at times.

[Shockeye]

Whatever you do, avoid the Imperial Palace. Avoid, avoid, avoid!

[Hanzii]

So, Virgin Atlantic from London and I will be staying at the Sahara.

[Strazos]

Enjoy their 1.2 Gazillion media selections on that VA flight.

[Hanzii]

Enjoy their 1.2 Gazillion media selections on that VA flight.

No, I need to find out who to blow to get an upgrade to the top floor. Individual beds and a fucking bar... I want in.

[Strazos]

That shit is just unnecessary.

[Hanzii]

I take it, you don't fly as much as I do.
Anything to get you out of monkeyclass and help you forget that you're in a flying tincan with a bunch of smelly strangers is a good thing. Business and (especially) 1st class is absolutely not worth the premium the airlines charge for it, but anytime a company springs for business to impress me, I'm a happy camper - I hate flying.

And a free bar can never be considered unecessary!
You're probably under 21 years, but I would think that after a prolonged trip to Europe, you would grasp the concept of a bar. Add to that free and 30.000 feet above ground - what's not to like?

[Strazos]

Evidentally, you don't pay attention much. I'm well over 21, and I wouldn't give a shit if every drop of drinkable alcohol on the planet vanished. I cannot stand going to bars; I am immediately bored, and I'm rarely in a bar for mroe than an hour....and I'm rarely in bars as it is.

You yourself said premium is not worth it. Sure, I would take a better seat if it was Given to me, don't be stupid.

[Hanzii]

Bars=good!

Anyway the operative words being 'free' and 'upgrade' (and perhaps 'blowjob') we're not really disagreeing much here.
And I'm grateful that you reminded me of Virgin Atlantic. The alternative was going SAS and changing in O'Hare - SAS has gone to the dogs as an airline, and I don't want to see the inside of any additional US airports if it can be helped.
(other airlines involved a transfer in Europe and then again in the US)

[schild]

I can only divine from a handful of Strazos' posts that the part about being social to make friends and get some nookie managed to skip over him on his way through high school and college. Chicks at his school are ugly. The girls on his trip overseas were ugly. Bars aren't worth going to. Upgraded seating on a fucking 8+ hour flight isn't worth paying for. Etc etc.

Let me just say this right now, I was the only person flying in an upgraded class in highschool overseas and it was worth every damn penny. Stop applying to the doctrine of reverse elitism. It only worked back in middle school and even then it was pretty stupid.

Bars are good. Women are good, particularly since you're a nerd (pot, kettle, etc). Upgraded seating is worth it. The girls on your trip weren't ugly and you shouldn't have given two shits about their "personality" on a few week trip overseas. I could go on, but it wouldn't be worth it as none of the above will sink in despite the fact I can smell the [sexual] angst in your posts.

I'm well over 21, and I wouldn't give a shit if every drop of drinkable alcohol on the planet vanished. I cannot stand going to bars; I am immediately bored, and I'm rarely in a bar for mroe than an hour....and I'm rarely in bars as it is.

Oh, and TALK TO PEOPLE. Ya know, that social thing, it works.

[Strazos]

Bleh.

Chicks at his school are ugly.

I never quite said that. I just personally don't know many, if any, at my school. Then again, I'm a history major...which isn't a very popular choice among the ladies. Also, I'm not really available to other people on my campus - I'm in class for however many hours a day, on some day I go work in my office for a few hours, and then I go the fuck home and take a fucking nap (usually). Thems the breaks.

The girls on his trip overseas were ugly.

Heh, no....they just weren't really my type, and vice versa. Also, they were pretty much all pretty much spoiled, immature elitist bitches. If you think I'm elitist, imagine what it takes for me to call that on someone.

Bars aren't worth going to.

I don't really drink, at least, not to the "standards" of my peers. I also don't particularly like to hit on random people.

Upgraded seating on a fucking 8+ hour flight isn't worth paying for.

If you're paying for it, sure...But I don't have the cash to burn an extra...I dunno, fuckton of cash, on a cushier seat with 4 more inches of legroom and a bar I don't need. That's great if you can get someone to pay for you, but it's not something I would easily do myself. I just need a seat that doesn't have someone leaning on me. Note: I was (well, still am, really) one of those guys who can fall asleep, quite comfortably, in those solid desks at school, sitting straight up. Sleeping in class is the best, most refreshing sleep you can ever get.

The girls on your trip weren't ugly and you shouldn't have given two shits about their "personality" on a few week trip overseas.

Definately not going over That again...../sigh

I'm well over 21, and I wouldn't give a shit if every drop of drinkable alcohol on the planet vanished. I cannot stand going to bars; I am immediately bored, and I'm rarely in a bar for mroe than an hour....and I'm rarely in bars as it is.

Oh, and TALK TO PEOPLE. Ya know, that social thing, it works.

Noez...not another rehash....


Sorry, pre-semester jitters. I cannot sleep....and probably will not until about 8pm, if I can make it that far. Horray insomnia.

[MrHat]

I was under the impression that all international flights were 'drinks-included'.

I'd recommend BA anytime.

Also, some companies (Siemens) will let you pocket the cash you don't spend on a business trip.  In that case, I'd take economy for a 15 hour flight, play my PSP, watch 2 shitty movies, get drunk and sleep for 8 hours.

[Yegolev]

I think that college girls are not as interested in your major as they are in your Major, if you get me.

Air Canada was nice.  Flew Atlanta-Toronto-Glasgow.  I'd recommend them if the Toronto airport wasn't a reeking portal to the underworld.

[Strazos]

I think that college girls are not as interested in your major as they are in your Major, if you get me.

I get you, but that wasn't what I meant. What I meant is that I come into contact with very few decent chicks, because not many women overall go into History, and naturally, not all of them can be attractive.

[Yegolev]

Your standards are too high.

[Strazos]

You haven't been in my history courses.

[Yegolev]

Touche.

[Strazos]

Boom, headshot! I win. 

[Hanzii]

I was under the impression that all international flights were 'drinks-included'.
.

Sure, but VA has an actual bar.


and they call their 1st class for Upper Class... I like it.

My company doesn't pay for business tickets, just economy. So that's why I was hoping for the upgrade. They don't even let you keep frequent flyer points (but that's not a problem since no two trips are for the same destination or with the same carrier). I'm not complaining though, they're springing for a week in Vegas... I was just getting hot for that fucking ridiculous bar, which would cost me $13K if I was actually paying for it.

[WayAbvPar]

That is pretty sweet. I fucking hate flying, but if I have to go transoceanic, that is how I wanna do it. Either that, or unconscious.

[Strazos]

I want to see Schild try and justify paying 13k for a flight I paid, what, $400 for?

[Shockeye]

I want to see Schild try and justify paying 13k for a flight I paid, what, $400 for?

Settle the fuck down.

[schild]

I want to see Schild try and justify paying 13k for a flight I paid, what, $400 for?

Settle the fuck down.

No no, it's ok, he's just twisting my words. I said upgraded seating once and upgraded class once. Not Playboy Luxury Class.

[Strazos]

Let me just say this right now, I was the only person flying in an upgraded class in highschool overseas and it was worth every damn penny.

What does this mean then?

[Righ]

It's a well known and slightly humorous way of saying that something for nothing is nice to have. As in "free beer is worth every damn penny". And it is.