Walking. Gossip. Travel.

Category: Nevada

  • American Airlines (Las Vegas to Chicago)

    This flight was on 18 January 2017 and I flew with American Airlines from Las Vegas McCarran to Chicago O’Hare. I was randomly allocated a window seat, seat 23F and the above photo is of the aircraft when we had arrived into Chicago.

    Goodbye to Las Vegas…..

    As far as flights go, the view on this one was far better than I had expected because clouds weren’t in the way. Although there was some cloud cover towards the end of the flight, I was able to look out onto the varied terrain of the United States for most of the journey.

    There’s a free snack and drink, and I can rarely resist Dr. Pepper when in the United States…. Not sure why American Airlines selected such a European snack though.

    There was in-flight entertainment, which for some reason I hadn’t expected on this flight.

    Flying into Chicago and over Lake Michigan.

    This was a much better flight than I had expected and it was my first internal journey with American Airlines, as I’d only flown with them long-haul. Service was efficienct and polite, with the cabin being clean and comfortable. The views were also a highlight I hadn’t anticipated and the in-flight entertainment was another welcome distraction.

    The flight cost £65 which I didn’t think was too bad, although I’ve since realised that I can get better value by using my Avios balance. Using American Airlines also gives me the advantage of my Oneworld card, so I may as well as remain loyal to that scheme.

  • United States – Nevada – Las Vegas – White Castle

    When I visited White Castle in January 2017 they had been open for a couple of years in this prominent Las Vegas strip location. But their move here was significant, it’s not a west coast company and this was their first opening in a new state for nearly 60 years.

    I like White Castle and their products, they’re also one of the pioneering fast food companies in the United States and were crucial in the evolution of the hamburger. They sell sliders with customers getting four in a standard meal, along with the crinkle cut fries. Looking at the current prices across the United States, customers can get 20 sliders for $10, something which sounds tempting even as I type this….

    The usual United States policy of unlimited refills applies here to sodas.

    And the food, with everything being served in its own cardboard protective packaging, which isn’t perhaps ideal for the environment. The buns and burgers are quite soft, but the onion adds a little texture and the meat is flavoursome. The crinkle cut fries, which the restaurant proudly announces have been served like this for nearly 100 years, are crispy and appropriately salted (for my tastes anyway). The environment is clean and comfortable and there’s a reasonable amount of seating.

    The service was exceptional, with the staff members being engaging and friendly. I remember the server introducing herself, a ridiculous level of engagement for a fast food restaurant when compared even to mid level casual dining restaurants in the UK. Service was fast paced and I’m now making myself miss White Castle…..

  • United States – Los Angeles to Las Vegas – Megabus

    Earlier this week I booked a trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles on Megabus which cost the grand sum of $1 for the journey, which takes just under six hours. It’s a trip I’ve taken a few times, and the photos in this post are from when I did the journey in January 2017.

    The journey starts at the Patsaouras Transit Plaza behind Union Station in Los Angeles and ends at the South Strip Transfer Terminal in Las Vegas. The coaches on this route are clean, modern, have power and are at an appropriate nicely chilled temperature. There is also wi-fi, although this inevitably starts to cut out in the more desert areas.

    Unfortunately the Megabus service in the UK is a distant second best to the service offered by the west coast US Megabus service. The staff operate a system where passengers can get there early and pick up a card with a number on it, which is the boarding order. This is an excellent idea as it means the passengers can go and find somewhere else to sit or get food rather than feeling the need to hover by the bus. There’s also the option on the web-site of buying a premium seat to board early (those passengers get a different card), but I didn’t feel the need to board that early.

    I do much prefer train journeys to bus journeys, but this is a glorious little bus trip, through the scenery of the California and Nevada deserts and mountains. For $1 it is of course exceptional value for money and it’s always a delight to arrive into Las Vegas.