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LAS VEGAS SUN
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 | 2 a.m.
Reader poll
Steve Sisolak
Sun Archives
Beyond the Sun
McCarran International Airport officials are proposing a new way to shore up its sagging bottom line: a liquor store in the baggage claim area.
It would be a nod to efficiency for a facility that serves millions disembarking for an alcohol-fueled weekend in Vegas — grab the bags, grab the booze.
Although it would certainly appeal to partyers, it means something entirely different to one Clark County commissioner.
“Oh, I know it will be a gold mine for some liquor store, but does this mean we’ll do anything for money?” said Commissioner Steve Sisolak, who promises to ask many questions about the proposal during today’s County Commission meeting. “What’s next? Airport strip clubs? Topless bars? Is that appropriate for county property? I mean, that’s ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking, too.”
The airport is asking for approval to seek bids for a baggage claim liquor concession. Bidding would be limited to companies with at least three years experience.
Although shops sell duty-free liquor at McCarran, a baggage claim liquor store would appear to be a first, for here and the United States. McCarran officials know of no other U.S. airport selling liquor at baggage claim.
“We’re strapped for cash just like every other county department, and because of the smoking ban our gaming revenue has gone down and advertising has been a little slow,” said Elaine Sanchez, airport spokeswoman. “We believe, in hard times, this is a good idea.”
In speaking with cab and limo companies, airport staff learned “it’s not unusual for their clients to ask to stop at a liquor store or 7-Eleven” as soon as they leave McCarran, said Rosemary Vassiliadis, Clark County Aviation deputy director.
After checking with the county’s attorneys and business licensing officials, airport staff determined “it’s a concession, it’s legal and there are no restrictions or prohibitions,” Vassiliadis said.
McCarran is operated through an “enterprise fund,” meaning the revenue it collects, and not taxpayer dollars, pays its operation costs. Concessions at the airport typically operate under contracts that guarantee minimum annual payments to the airport, a percentage of their revenue or a combination of the two. Within the past year, the airport has had to renegotiate some of these contracts because of the recession.
A liquor store could provide a boost to that sliding revenue, officials said. They would like to place the store next to the escalators that lead from the D gates to baggage claim.
Sisolak said the placement of the store could encourage public drunkenness. “What if a guy buys a six-pack? Can he sit down there and drink while waiting for his luggage?” he said.
But lobbyist and attorney Chris Kaempfer, whose clients include Lee’s Discount Liquor, a Las Vegas chain that would likely be interested in vying for the McCarran store, said he expects few objections.
“It’s difficult to see who would object,” he said. “Somebody who is going to buy liquor before they check in ... is going to do it whether it’s at the airport or the hotel.
“I don’t think you’re causing a problem; you’re allowing the airport to get the revenue that would get dispersed somewhere else.”
Sisolak, however, thinks taxpayers would get no added benefit from having the liquor store at the airport. Any lease revenue would go to the airport instead of the county’s general fund.
But Vassiliadis said that by taking in more revenue, McCarran can hold down landing fees for airlines. Being a low-cost airport encourages travel, which helps draw visitors who contribute to the local economy and its tax base.
“We also employ 18,000 people,” she said. “The airport is an absolute part of the whole economic being of Clark County.”
Last year, Sisolak ardently opposed the so-called “strippermobile” — a truck that carried a glass enclosure in which strippers performed for passing motorists and pedestrians — which its operators argued was a good way to draw business to strip clubs. At the time, Sisolak said his opposition was not based on moral objections but rather the safety of the strippers as well as distracted drivers.
He gained the support of other commissioners, and the strip club parked the truck before it became a bigger issue.
This time, he’s not sure he has any support from his colleagues.
Calls to other commissioners were not returned.
“Maybe I think it’s an issue, and nobody else does,” he said. “I’ve drank a lot in airports, but that’s in a bar. I’ve never seen or heard of anything like this.”
The hotels don't like that. The new tourists , arriving in Vegas, will be drunk upon check-in already and mess up the room before the first night. Very soon they will then create a new kind of "resort amenity fee". Let's call it the...."party-mess-up-my-room-bed turn down-late night amenity service extra charge". I would think that 25 dollars for this cleaning service would be sufficient. I heard some casinos will charge 40 dollar for this measure to keep their rooms halfway in order.
I do not see the whole big picture here. If the tourist buys the booze at the airport, the airport benefits and the 7-11 or the local shop loses out. You are going to sell the same amount of booze, but only at another location. The 7-11 lays somebody off due to the drop in business and the airport shop hires someone. Where is the benefit here to the greater LV area?
I say give it a go, locals will be benefiting from it. Added revenue for the airport which hopefully translates to better facilities and from the looks of it the airport authorities are managing McCarran well, D Concourse is a world class terminal and soon we will have another brand new domestic and international terminal which will benefit not only locals but visitors to our city.
Given the time at spent at baggage claim these days, it seems like a good idea. Snacks would be good too. Between, the airlines and baggage claim and other aspects of the travel experience these days, a man/woman needs sustenance.
Bring on the booze and drunk tourists to disrupt the airlines and flights!
Ohfercryinoutloud Sisolak - Don't play so innocent, already! Nevadans HAVE done everything else for money!
Full speed ahead Damn the torpedoes. Typical madness evident in Las Vegas. Why don't we put a Gun Shop in Baggage claim so the hot time can start right at the airport then continue on the Strip. Remember what happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas dead bodies and all that stuff.
As long as they (try to) prohibit consumption of alcohol in baggage claim then its fine. Its hard enough to get your back from the carousel without some drunkard in front of you..
It would be a great convenience for the tourists. The losers would be the hotels themselves and the liquor stores near them.
Ah, Vegas. Where common sense goes to die.
Commissioner Sisolak is absolutely right on this matter. If we were to put alcohol so readily available to newly arrived visitors, they would immediately begin to drink right there in baggage areas, or even enroute to pick up rental vehicles, and drink before hitting our roads/streets here in Las Vegas.
Not to mention what others have talked about, i.e, drunk passengers getting their luggage from carousels.
Drunk passengers getting into taxis, and other conveyance vehicles. Possibly throwing up in vehicles, and just imagine pissing contest that will evolve from drunks not getting their baggage because they perceive someone is in their way, but in their drunken state of mind, this is purely in their mind.
Commissioner Sisolak is not being a prude on this matter, but he is being realistic and displaying visionary skills on this matter. His experience should not be downplayed.
This is not a good idea for Las Vegas. If customers ask taxi cab drivers to take them to 7-11, let it continue. But I do not want to bump into more drunkards picking up my baggage at McCarran.
Violence will be only increase here at McCarran as well, as increased policing of baggage area, and outside baggage terminal where police will be required to arrest tourists for drunk behavior in public.
Let this stay on strip. Don't bring it into airport or other public areas where non-drinking people will be forced to deal with drunkards while trying to enjoy their time here in Las Vegas and thse people are willing to wait until they get to a proper venue to drink and consumer alcohol.
We should not subject other visitors to having to endure boorish drunks at baggage pick-up areas, it is bad enough we have to endure their boorish drunken behavior behind wheels of rental vehicles.
This may be Las Vegas, but we have to have some concern for this issue, as it will cause problems to ordinary citizens. Commissioner Sisolak is absolutely right on this matter, pure and simple.
A state built upon divorce, gambling and prostitution can sometimes be parochial. It is a little late to be so sanctimonious. There should be shops after/at baggage claim. lots of airports do it.
Don't make too much sense people. The yay sayers may say your being negative..
Why do some of you think that the newly arriving tourists are going to crack open that fifth and start guzzling right there at baggage claim? Sure, I can see the "36 hr" visitors doing that since they will have just a plastic Walmart bag with their "necessities" as "baggage", but for most - it will look funny chugging right out of the bottle, unless they have plastic cups with them - or straws!
I think it's a good idea, but considering the markup in prices will be incredible, I don't know how successful the store will be.
What next? .. Slot machines at the airport?
When strip hotels like Luxor gouge people $9 a pop for well liquor (measured shots), perhaps this will get them to clean up their act. Personally, I'd rather buy a joint at the airport.
I think a great deal of these comments reflect the intellect of our problems. We criticize our government for not being diversified enough, then make these comments allowing a liquor store in our airport.
The airport is our gateway for out-of-town guests. We talk about wanting diversity in our economy, but yet we advertise that the indulgent side of Las Vegas is everywhere.
I do not support this issue. I do not have a problem with alcohol, gaming, etc. They all have their place here in Las Vegas. That being said, they all have their place. I have the right to raise my kids devoid of these items. I do not frequent establishments that have blatant sexual themes. I have never tried to close them down either.
Alcohol sales in Las Vegas will not soar nor plummet here due to this issue. The amount of revenue to the airport will not save any jobs or create any significant ones. Another comment stated it well, the alcohol is being served already. Show me the comment cards stating that tourists are no longer coming to Las Vegas because they could not buy packaged liquor fast enough.
There are rightful places for everything. Setting an example by placing this in our airport will accomplish very little in regards to financial impact, but create an atmosphere where once again Las Vegas fails to prepare for diversity.
Lets get real. You can already get drunk at the airport. You can gamble when you arrive you can gamble your last dollar away as you wait for your flight to depart. Is it possible that Sisolak is just playing politics with corporate constituents that, thanks to Roberts,Scalia and company can now donate all the money they want to politicians? Come on Steve, some of us do have 3 digit IQ's!
i could never figure out why the nightclubs didn't have a "v.i.p." booth at the airport.
get all those suckers fresh off the plane to reserve at $400 bottle of vodka at a club before they've lost all their money at the slot machines.
When patrons drive away drunk from an establishment and get into an accident, that business is held legally accountable for serving an intoxicated person.
Will Clark County be liable to pay out for injunctions or settlements like that because it would be pretty counter intuitive to turn a profit?
Funny how everyone says it would be "so easy" to get drunk in baggage claim. Has anyone bought liquor in a duty free shop??? They don't serve chilled liquor, no store does, nor do they have cups or ice? And to those who say people would be throwing up on flights: the booze shop will be located in baggage claim (arriving flights) not at the check-in desk (departing flights)! People throwing up on buses is not the liquor stores problem. Lastly, if you all think people who buy liquor at the baggage claim will put the local liquor store out of business and they will have to lay people off you are sadly mistaken. You make it sound like there is only one liquor store in town and another shop opening up will mean competition for the neighborhood market. It doesn't work that way. The neighborhood market already has a base of customers.
To LOCAL72 I guess you don't take your kids grocery shopping. Every major grocery store serves alcohol what do you do shield their eyes when they see it? By "protecting" your kids from it you are just building up a need for them to try it when they become of age. Not saying have them drink as kids, but tell them about it the pros and cons. Sticking your head in the sand never did anyone any good.
This is a great idea.
We need dancers and card tables too. ;)
it's funny the logic of people opposed to this. umm...you DO realize that people from ohio come to vegas to drink, gamble, shop...in other words...they come here for a vacation, right?
what difference does it make if they buy that bottle of whiskey at the airport or 20 minutes later at lee's liquor?
vegas is going to have to be aggressive and innovative from now on to be competitive.
We could park the stripper mobile in baggage claim.
I thought the stripper mobile was on a world wide tour.. Good idea though, kinda wish I had thought of it.lol
To Local 72.... I like what you wrote.
The revenue from the sale of hard liquor in the airport would be marginal at best and the cost to build it, the returns may never be recoverd.
A bar that is located on the second level just might loose business. As it is right now I see few people drinking there.
As for thekube......
I never seen people serve alcohol or liquor in
grocery stores.
I think the airport should take a HARD stance on baggage theft. Increase video surveillance, get rid of boot-leg poaching limo drivers and stop the general public who has no legitimate reason to be in the airport and only allow entry for parents of under age flyers and to assist the elderly flyers.
Its all about Sin in Sin City.
For all the naysayers here, not everyone arriving in Vegas will be lining up to get a bottle of booze or a case of beer but for those wishing to do so give them an option at the airport. Concessions bring in revenue to McCarran. It will benefit us locals having McCarran improve their revenues and add to it. Keep in mind the under construction Terminal 3 domestic and international terminal is paid for by airport revenues.
Heard in baggage claim...Sorry sir, we lost your bag. May we suggest a fifth of Johnnie Walker to ease you pain. Have a nice day!
LOL...That was good fear...Who cares if they get to sell booze to incoming guest...I think it is an excellent way to generate some funds and then I dont see any problem opening up a strip joint there also...JETS AND JUGS,,, open 24 hours.....Only in Vegas.....
It's Vegas. Why not just put a dealer pit and rent by the hour hooker rooms in the airport?
You'd make money on it.