Las Vegas Myths

Vdara Hotel Death Ray

kennix — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 01:49:53 +0000

While many people actually seek out the sun in Vegas, a few are trying to hide from it. At least that’s the buzz lately about the Vdara Hotel. Allegedly, Yahoo called it a death ray, Hotel guests called it an inconvenience and supposedly, one guest called it a #(*&#ing (#*&(@er #&^ %$#$)er that burned my F-’ing hair off. The Vdara Hotel has a concave design that with the right conditions has melted plastic and burned a few sunworshippers. But, NOBODY HAS DIED. So…. there goes the Death Ray theory up in smoke. Nevada’s sunlight does get very intense and precaution should be taken especially in the Summer when around any of the building with glass. Reflective and magnification problems abound in these settings and Vdara’s Hotel doesn’t have exclusive rights to the “Las Vegas Death Ray” phenomenon. Circus Circus, Mandalay Bay and a few other hotels and casinos have reported hot spots in the past. So beware the Las Vegas Sun, or you may get more sun than you’re asking for.

Steve Fossett

kennix — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:00:17 +0000

Shoot the rich guy (or as I like to call it, hunting with Dick Chaney). So most people have heard that adventurer Steve Fossett’s airplane disappeared about 90 miles south of Reno, NV on September 5, 2007 after leaving a private ranch.

Also, most people now know that his plane and remains were found near Mammoth Lakes, CA on September 29, 2008

Nonetheless, rampant speculation as to his disappearance culminated in Miles O’Brien suggesting that Fossett was shot down over Area51 while on-air at CNN. While not probable, this myth is beginning to pick up speed and is getting a life of its own.

Here’s what Miles O’Brien had to say:

“It is possible that Fossett flew into some restricted air space in that area. Nellis Air Force base is nearby, that’s the home of the Thunderbirds. Not far also from Area 51 which everyone knows a little something about. It is possible that there was some sort of electronic radar information which the military might have had associated with that restricted air space.”

While Nellis Air Force Base is more than 350 miles from where Fossett was flying and Area 51’s main gate is more than 300 miles, Fossett’s plane and remains were found less than 200 miles from the edge of Area 51 as the crow flies. Planes can cover 200 miles pretty quickly, even if they have been damaged by anti-aircraft fire.

Let the myth busting begin!

Tourist Trap?

kennix — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:37:44 +0000

Trapping tourists who drive over from Las Vegas? Each year many people drive from Las Vegas while on vacation to check out Area 51. They drive down Nevada State Route 375 also known as ‘The Extraterrestrial Highway’ to the gate where signs deter visitors from going any further under penalty of fines, jail and security personnel with ‘authorization to shoot’.

The stories we hear about the security forces which patrol the fence line, also known as ‘cammo dudes’ for their clothing, are sometimes shocking. Menacing the people who come to close. Manhandling sightseers. Detaining them for untold amounts of time. We even hear stories of people being shot at or even actually shot and then they’re not heard from again or end up in Las Vegas hospitals refusing to speak about their experiences.

In actuality, these people who patrol the fence line are security personnel employed most likely by EG&G or some other equally mundane security company. When sightseers cross the line, they are detained, personal information is recorded and they are turned over to the county authorities, usually the sheriff.

Janet

kennix — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:36:19 +0000

Hell of a commute. For years people have been talking about the ‘JANET’ flights out of Las Vegas which shuttle Area 51 employees to work at the super-secret government test sight also known as Groom Lake. Supposedly defense contractor EG&G maintains this terminal and its distinctive white-with-red-stripe jets. (see pic below).

The reason they are sometimes referred to as ‘JANET’ flights is because they are supposed to use the radio call-signs of JANET1, JANET2, etc. I’ve heard that the term ‘JANET’ may mean ‘Joint Air Network for Employee Transportation’.

The terminal is only a few block from the strip so the next time you’re in Las Vegas, take some fresh pictures for us and post them in the forum for everyone to see. Better yet, if you actually work at Area 51 or work at the terminal, get us a picture of inside the planes! (Hey, it was worth a shot).

Give Me A Shot!

kennix — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:34:37 +0000

Shot of oil. Many people have heard that before you go out for a wild night of drinking, that if you take a shot of vegetable or olive oil, that it almost guarantee that you won’t get a hangover due to the coating properties of the oil.

Well now some of the casino bars have recognized that this could be a service so for fifty cents you can order a shot of vegetable oil or for buck you can order a shot of extra virgin olive oil before your night of partying.

Who’s Shuffle?

kennix — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:33:52 +0000

Look Ma, no hands! Here’s one that I really think is true but maybe someone out there can verify it for me. Supposedly, casinos have slowly phased out hand deck shuffling by installing automatic shufflers. Gamblers used to get a break while dealers reshuffled. Now it’s a constant flow of cards which increases the number of hands per hour and that means more money for the house.

Who Won?

kennix — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:31:36 +0000

Everyone is winning! You may notice that when you enter a casino, there’s a constant barrage of noises. Slot machines spin, games ding and dong, coins hit metal, there’s the soft patter of the people running the games, etc. Many of these sounds, like the ringing of the slots, is purposely placed background noise to give people a false hope of winning. “If all of those bells are ringing, somebody must be winning!”

There’s constant research on all aspects of the sensory experience: scents, colors, interior design, even the angles of lights. Supposedly light that hits people’s foreheads is a no-no because it apparently drains gamblers of energy. It’s kind of like being brain washed into thinking you’re going to win.

Which Way Out?

kennix — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:30:35 +0000

Who moved my cheese? It’s said that the casinos are built in a way so that there’s intentionally poor navigation. They are built like mazes so that it’s usually tough to find a way out. The more you have to wander around to get out, the more likely that you’ll stop to place a bet or get a drink.

Also, in case of a robbery, a criminal can’t just run straight for the door. They have to work their way through the maze the same as anyone else.

High Traffic Payoffs

kennix — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:29:11 +0000

High traffic payoff. Here’s another myth that the casinos strategically place slot machines that pay out more often near high traffic areas like the aisles, change booth, restaurants, etc. so more people witness winners.

While this may seem true, the odds of winning are totally random.

Or are they?

We don’t do Windows

kennix — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:28:24 +0000

There are no windows. Gamblers have no idea whether it’s light or dark or sunny or rainy outside. This, along with dealers not wearing watches creates an atmosphere where time becomes meaningless. The less you care about what’s going on outside, the more you care about staying inside the casino where it is fun.