How to get from Las Vegas to San Jose

[jarkko]

I have received several emails from members who plan to go to two last shows (November 12 in Las Vegas and next day, November 13 in San Jose). They have asked how to get from LV to SJ in time.
Thanks to Arlene I can answer the question: book a flight at http://www.southwest.com, The Soutwest Airlines. This company has several departures from Las Vegas to SJ. The flight time is about 1:30, non stop, with very reasonable prices ($94 getaway price).
Several members have already booked to the flight that leaves Las Vegas at 11:45 am and arrives in San Jose at 01:20 pm.

[brightnow]

Here's a tip for those of you flying Southwest for the first time:
Southwest is a great airline: cheap and reliable with great service. One of the things unique to southwest is that they do not assign seats to passengers. Instead, each boarding pass is assigned a boarding number. Passengers line up at the gate according to their numbers (lower numbers first). You then board according to your number and sit in any available seat. If you do not care about seating, just go to the airport and you'll be fine. If you do care about seating, check in at the website as early as possible (online check-in usually opens exactly 24 hours before departure). For busy flights, a difference of a few minutes in check-in time makes a big difference in boarding numbers, so try to be online at the very moment that check-in opens. You don't need a printer to check-in online and secure your boarding number. Once you are checked-in your number is assigned and you can print your boarding pass later or at the airport (I've done this many times before when I checked in from my mobile phone).
Happy travels to the lucky ones who can make it to both Las Vegas and San Jose!

Avi

[bridger15]

Just adding one thing to Avi's excellent summary of SouthWest's procedures.

If you need special assistance, you will not have to stand in the line-up. When you arrive at the terminal, inform the SW counter and they will give you a Blue boarding pass cover. There are designated seats in the boarding area next to your Gate. You will board the plane first.

---Arlene

[ladydi]

Hi Avi,

Thank you SO much! I've worked for an airline for almost 40 years but have never flown Southwest (aka, the enemy). The majority of the time I'm on standby and know how that works. A couple of times I've flown as a "real" passenger and it's been quite delightful to wear jeans and board when everyone else does! But I know Southwest is a different animal. I plan on booking tomorrow on their 11 something flight from LAS to SJC. Your info has helped tremendously. At least I know I'll have a seat....working for an airline you learn never to care where you sit.....you are simply happy if you are on! This will be a new experience!

All the best,
Diana

ps..Avi, are you coming too? And...as it stands now, perhaps Southwest should plan on adding one more flight to handle all the LC fans! er, I'd still like to be on the private jet

[brightnow]

Just adding one thing to Avi's excellent summary of SouthWest's procedures.

If you need special assistance, you will not have to stand in the line-up. When you arrive at the terminal, inform the SW counter and they will give you a Blue boarding pass cover. There are designated seats in the boarding area next to your Gate. You will board the plane first.

---Arlene

Thanks Arlene, I made a mental note to mention that in the end but by the time I got to the end... I forgot

[mutti]

Thanks for all this information...I will book the flight tonight...will be fun to be on the same flight as others...
it looks like this is the only flight time that works..I checked United and Alaska and the times are either earlier or later.
THough that may all change at a later date.
It will be good to get into San Jose by 1 or so have more than enough time to get ready for the meet ups and concert without stressing...
Mutti

[brightnow]

...Avi, are you coming too? And...as it stands now, perhaps Southwest should plan on adding one more flight to handle all the LC fans! er, I'd still like to be on the private jet

There is nothing that I want more than to attend the last two concerts but my circumstances will probably not allow that to happen (we have three very young children, travel/babysitting is always an issue).
Right now I am trying to figure out the logistics of the one or two concerts that I will be able to attend in time for the pre-sale. Options are: Philly (2hr drive, kids at home with babysitter), NYC or Cleveland (~5 hr drive, kids and babysitter with us at hotel OR at home with grandma if she can cross the Atlantic for the event).

[ladydi]

Bring the kids to Vegas and San Jose! We will all take care of them!

oops...edit to say that I will suggest others who would love to take care of them

[mutti]

I just checked and US Airways also flies from Las Vegas to San Jose at 11am arriving at 12:50....$94.
Mutti

[ladydi]

Thanks Leslie,

I found that too and seems the fare is the same. Being an airline person, if the 2 flights were not too far apart, I think I would opt for Southwest. Gawd, don't let my managers be reading this...

[mutti]

The only positive I saw is that with US Airways you can book seats ahead of time.
To log onto the boarding pass for Southwest we will all be in Las Vegas..but I guess we can do that..
I forgot where you work for a sec..
oh my..they won't see it..
So I think I will trust your intuition..
thanks
Mutti Leslie

[KaimiK]

...Avi, are you coming too? And...as it stands now, perhaps Southwest should plan on adding one more flight to handle all the LC fans! er, I'd still like to be on the private jet

There is nothing that I want more than to attend the last two concerts but my circumstances will probably not allow that to happen (we have three very young children, travel/babysitting is always an issue).
Right now I am trying to figure out the logistics of the one or two concerts that I will be able to attend in time for the pre-sale. Options are: Philly (2hr drive, kids at home with babysitter), NYC or Cleveland (~5 hr drive, kids and babysitter with us at hotel OR at home with grandma if she can cross the Atlantic for the event).

I completely understand your predicament! As one of those thirty-something fans, I have two tween stepkids, an almost 3-year old and a baby due any time! For Seattle, my mom drove from Canada to Spokane to watch the older ones; hubby, toddler and I drove to Seattle and hubby babysat while I went to the show. For Red Rocks, I flew to Denver on my own - we thought with the new baby coming it would be a good idea to test out that first night alone without mom for our 2-year old. But, then with the postponement, I really had to get right back home the next day. For the fall tour, there's nothing close, but we'll again find a sitter for the older kids; hubby, little ones, and I will fly somewhere that's not too far or too expensive. There's not another artist of any kind I'd go to these lengths to see - in fact sometimes I still can't believe we're planning this! Very glad to hear there's someone else here who knows what it's like! Ah, the logistical joys of family life! Good luck in making your arrangements!

[mnkyface]

GOD I wish this schedule was different. Wish he was playing Vegas on the Thurs or Fri but NOT playing San Jose until after the weekend, so that we could make a weekend out of Vegas.... I'm starting to think we can't justify a mid-week trip to Vegas, and then sprint back to SJ for Fri. I could go alone with these good southwest deals but there's the whole childcare issue while hubby works (ane he doesn't have that Veteran's Day holiday off!). I think I am going to have to choose, which makes me want to throw up. lol I guess the logical choice is SJ, close to home, last show, historic and all. I just think LV would be so fun, such a unique place to see LC!! arrrrgggghhhhh

[bridger15]

Thanks Arlene, I made a mental note to mention that in the end but by the time I got to the end... I forgot

Well Avi, if I forget to do something, I have a valid excuse, "Senior Moment". But you can not use that.

[sturgess66]

Here's a tip for those of you flying Southwest for the first time:
Southwest is a great airline: cheap and reliable with great service. One of the things unique to southwest is that they do not assign seats to passengers. Instead, each boarding pass is assigned a boarding number. Passengers line up at the gate according to their numbers (lower numbers first). You then board according to your number and sit in any available seat. If you do not care about seating, just go to the airport and you'll be fine. If you do care about seating, check in at the website as early as possible (online check-in usually opens exactly 24 hours before departure). For busy flights, a difference of a few minutes in check-in time makes a big difference in boarding numbers, so try to be online at the very moment that check-in opens. You don't need a printer to check-in online and secure your boarding number. Once you are checked-in your number is assigned and you can print your boarding pass later or at the airport (I've done this many times before when I checked in from my mobile phone).
Happy travels to the lucky ones who can make it to both Las Vegas and San Jose!

Avi

Thanks for this tip Avi. Good to know!