Route: Los Angeles Terminal 1 (LAX/KLAX) - Las Vegas - McCarran International (LAS / KLAS)
Airline: Southwest Airlines (WN)
Aircraft: Boeing 737-300
Registration: N622SW
Distance: 236 miles (380 km)
Duration: Approx. 1 hour
Date: Wednesday 2nd March 2005

View Large View Medium Photo © Jason Knutson

View Large View Medium Photo © Paul Robbins

After our trek from the UK a few days earlier Virgin Atlantic Airways - LHR - LAX On VS7 (+ Pics), myself and good friend Mike took a day trip out to Vivaaaaa Las Vegas.

After a very late night, our day started at 6:00 am. I was awoken by the alarm on my phone, I rolled over and threw it on the floor. It then dawned on me that we should be getting up to make the short journey from the Westin Century Plaza to LAX.

I suddenly jumped out of my warm bed and jumped into the shower. Mike was still sleeping when I got out! Just thought I would make you aware… This guy doesn’t do too well in the mornings, but he was definitely making a go of things through out our holiday together!  

He eventually got up and jumped into the shower! Whilst he was in the shower, I spent some time on the Balcony drinking Starbucks watching the sun rise. I took some shots of the low lit buildings and aircraft that were on downwind for LAX, this was rather interesting!



Nice pink light shining through at 6:37 a.m.



Looking towards LAX in this one!



The sun was getting higher! Its lovely to look at.



This New Colours NW 747 seen on downwind to LAX, later on I see this as we departed!



New Colours WN 737 seen on downwind to LAX.



Here is my staying alive early morning drink!



The MGM HQ was one block away from us!



Uh huh, kinda a long way down... Note my Nike Shocks  !

Finally Mike got his butt ready and we left Century City in the direction of LAX. We opted to take the 405 which was really quite clear for this time of day. Today’s choice of music would be the Scissor Sisters album.

The drive was peaceful and we were both in the mood for a good time in Nevada! We drove to “The Parking Spot” off of Sepulveda at LAX and dropped off the BM. We stood about and watched a few landings, We got on the shuttle bus and drove to LAX Terminal 1.



Our 3-Series Beauty seen parked up at "The Parking Spot" at LAX. Why is it all BMW drivers are assholes? Mike, you are supposed to keep with in the lines dude!!!!



Good friend Mr Catchpole seen admiring the local totty!

Mike had a quick Chuff (Cigarette) and we went inside. We picked up a few Southwest baggage tags from the Kerbside check in as I think these would be good memorabilia! I affixed one to my camera bag!

We passed through security with no problems what so ever, taking my shoes off, belt off etc at an early time of the morning is just what you want before a flight! After putting my trainers back on, I rejoined Mike who was struggling with his stuff! We headed into the terminal.

Once passed security we thought, hmm, Breakfast.. Coffee! So we headed over to McDonalds for a nice Sausage and Egg McMuffin meal. It wasn’t too bad actually! This was the only McDonalds we had whilst over in the US, after watching Supersize Me on the way over, it’s left a desire not to eat this crap in the future!

We then got some Starbucks and my good friend managed to spill his down the lovely white t-shirt he was wearing!! Whilst he went and cleaned himself up, I rang my Mum back home in the UK. She didn’t even sound stoked to hear from me, so I cut it short!

I thought Terminal 1 was a lot better than Terminal 2 here at LAX, it just felt and looked in a better state. We spent some time hanging around at the far end of the Terminal watching all of the movements. The weather was getting slightly worse, so we hoped that things were slightly better in Las Vegas!



US Airways A321 seen making her way out for departure here at LAX.



This new colours WN 737 seen making her way out for departure.

Apologies for the reflections in these, hard going for terminal shots here!  

We were due to depart at 10:30 a.m. Our plane hadn’t even arrived at our gate yet, and it was around about 10:20 a.m. A delay wasn’t too much of a problem, but it was extra time lost in Las Vegas.

We sat around with the other passengers, I noticed that one of the airport workers was sat in one of the seats asleep! This made me laugh! Eventually our plane did arrive, and it took a while for the passengers who had just arrived, to disembark.

We eventually boarded about 15-20 minutes late and were greeted by the casually dressed flight attendants. Since we checked in online, we had “A” boarding cards so this allowed us to choose our seats before most! Probably turned out that the whole flight had “A” cards because the load was so small!

Anyway, we found some good seats right above the wing. It was amazing how quickly we pushed back and made our way out for departure! I really liked the interior of this 733! Nice brown seats and the “Square” Boeing windows. This was my first 737-300 ride, so I was happy to be flying her.



Just sat down in my seat, I was admiring the view.

We pushed back at 11:05 a.m. and made our way out for departure. It wasn’t a very long taxi out to the runway, and there wasn’t much in front of us so by 11:12 a.m. the power was applied and we rocketed into the warm LA air.



After making our way out, we lined up and power was applied.



Burn baby burn!! A couple of company jets can be seen here, as well as the famous LAX Control Tower.



Climbing out of a very dull Los Angeles.

The climb out of LAX was rather nice and gentle. This would be the first time I’ve departed out over towards the Pacific Ocean in daylight! The weather was really getting bad over LA, so it made shooting the ground a little bit tricky!



Passing over a beach as we gain altitude.



Baking over the Pacific Ocean! Note the boat down below!

We levelled off a little bit then started a deeper climb up higher. The drinks service began, to which I was totally surprised about! I was asked what I wanted to drink, then they noted it down, and 5 minutes later it was delivered to my seat with a couple of sachets of Southwest Airlines Nuts! I opted for a Coke on this occasion.



Our inital level out.



After my coke and nuts, we had come to our cruising altitude.

The flight was pretty uneventful, apart from the extra friendly male flight attendant that I and Mike had! I think he was homosexual and took a liking to us both! He was really into England and said he loved the accent. He also noticed that we were taking pictures out of the window and he sat next to me talking about the area that we were flying over! At one point, he lent over me and pointed to some mountains to the left of us! I was getting very concerned! More on this later!

The flight attendant soon left and carried on with his duties, to which Mike looked at me and started making jokes about me and my sexuality! The flight continued to be uneventful, and the views became more extreme and breathtaking. I loved the whole rural ness of California and Nevada as we crossed the border.



Cabin view here, that FA that took a shine to us can be seen too!

Soon we were edging closer towards McCarran so it was time to buckle up and take in the magical scenery below. We made a series of turns and adjustments and then as if by magic, we were downwind to LAS!! The strip was in full view, as was the runways. Sin City was below me, I couldn’t believe it!



One of the series of banks we made to descend into LAS.



Another bank!



The view was fantastic, nearly there!



The magic appeared before my eyes!



A better view of the LAS Airfield.

The landing was very hairy indeed. I’m pretty sure it’s one of the most bumpiest landings that I have experienced! It was good fun though. Watching the wings bounce up and down and watching the spoilers being raised to correct our position in the air. You will be able to witness my landing, at the end of this report where you can download the video!



Making a turn to line ourself up for McCarran!



Airfield in sight!



Those big ass mountains that we just had to descend between!

We made contact with the tarmac and we come to a slow speed. We then exited to the right, via one of the taxiways. The cabin crew welcomed us to “Laaas Vegas” and wished us a safe onward journey.

We taxied in to the gate and the views of the strip became more apparent as we did this. We taxied passed a couple of company 737’s, one painted in the old colour scheme and the other in the new colour scheme. If I had to pick one, I think I would take the new colours!



On the ground and we can see the Mandalay and the Luxor!



Control tower and company jets can be seen here.

Overall this was a really good first flight with Southwest, apart from the delay leaving Los Angeles. The 733 was a nice aircraft, but didn’t feel as “Pokey” as the 734 did. I was attacked by a Homosexual flight attendant, and witnessed my friend spill coffee down a white t-shirt. So far the day had been every eventful!

We left the aircraft, and the “kind” flight attendant that we spoke to winked at us as we got off! I’m sure he was just being friendly!! We walked through the arrivals hall and instantly we were greeted by a slot machine! Now I knew a lot of gambling went down in Las Vegas, but my god, in the AIRPORT?!



This didn't tempt me at all!

We thought we’d take the opportunity to take a look at the famous car parks here at Las Vegas. So we wandered outside and found the spotting location. We joined a guy shooting some digital out there. I believe he was an A.net photographer, but we didn’t converse!

We spent about an hour here, if that. We see our aircraft N622SW taxi out and depart! I think it was on it’s way to PHX.



Shaking her ass as she passes us!



This was the last I ever saw of her. Rotating into the warm Nevada air.

The view from the spotting area is fantastic. You can see the entire length of the strip! The weather was 100 times better than what it was in LA too, thankfully.



Great view of the top end of "The Strip".

We left the car park and enquired about renting a car, but we decided we wouldn’t use it enough for it to pay for itself. So we went to the taxi rank and jumped in a nice white cab. We got him to drop us off outside the Luxor on Las Vegas Boulevard, and for $13 you cant complain. En-route we see the aftermath of a nasty car accident, it wasn’t pleasant at all.

We spent the whole day here shooting loads of digital, and seeing all the famous landmarks. The weather stayed fantastic all day long so we both caught the sun. We both had a great time in Nevada, and felt it made the holiday even more successful.


To Download The-LAS-Landing-Video (2.2mb) - Right Click & Save Target As

I hope you all enjoyed my report, It brought back lots of happy memories reminiscing the day trip.

Thank you for reading! I look forward to many many nice comments!  

Regards,
Justin