Flying to AC

Just wanted some input on flying to AC.

I wanted to experience flying to AC in less than 30 minutes versus the 2:45 (most times longer with traffic) from Long Island, NY Called my host and there is a junket that leaves from LI at 5pm Friday and leaves AC on 8pm Saturday that she booked me on.

Here's the quandary. I personally think those times suck. I feel like I'm losing all day Friday and with check out on Sunday at 12noon an and I'll feel like a vagabond until about 6pm, especially if my bankroll takes a hit.

I usually leave LI around 9:30 on Friday and leave AC around 11 or 12 on Sunday.

Thoughts?

I have a rule, unless you are flying a private jet where you can pick and choose your departure time, in that 8 hours is my cutoff. If it is an 8 hour or less drive, i will not consider flying. by the time you drive to the airport, go through security, check your bag, get to the gate, board and eventually take off hopefully on time, fly, collect your bag, hail a cab and get to your destination, the total time involved is generally nearly the same or errs on the side of driving from point A to point B

How about 3am Saturday and 9pm Sunday. Over Verrazano, hit the belt and vola, you'll be at LI in no time.

I could live with the departure time but the return flight would be a problem for me. Like you, I don't like the idea of being without a room for so long on Sunday in the event I lost my cash. I'd be too tempted to hit an atm and end up losing more than I had planned. If you're going to try it I would plan some non casino activities to do from check out time to the time you have to leave for your flight.

Quote: MrsHeartRN

Just wanted some input on flying to AC.

I wanted to experience flying to AC in less than 30 minutes versus the 2:45 (most times longer with traffic) from Long Island, NY Called my host and there is a junket that leaves from LI at 5pm Friday and leaves AC on 8pm Saturday that she booked me on.

Here's the quandary. I personally think those times suck. I feel like I'm losing all day Friday and with check out on Sunday at 12noon an and I'll feel like a vagabond until about 6pm, especially if my bankroll takes a hit.

I usually leave LI around 9:30 on Friday and leave AC around 11 or 12 on Sunday.

Thoughts?

Just me, but I can't see flying to save a 3 hour drive. Not sure that the 8 hour window that Gabes has posted would also work for me either. Just drove 8.5 hours to the beach for instance, but needed to carry fishing gear, and surfboards, and beach chairs/umbrellas, extensive foodstuff and utensils etc for a week stay w/wife and kids. Just going to gamble in AC or anywhere else? Did the flight come free (ish) w/comps or did you buy? Lot's of things to consider, but simply on a gambling junket I would always drive 3 hrs unless it was a free flt from comps. Even then I might drive just to have my vehicle with me ( never know when you might need to make a very quick getaway ;-) 2F

This is the reason NJ needs a casino in north Jersey.

How long would it take you to drive to the Meadowlands?

Quote: MrsHeartRN

Just wanted some input on flying to AC.

I wanted to experience flying to AC in less than 30 minutes versus the 2:45 (most times longer with traffic) from Long Island, NY Called my host and there is a junket that leaves from LI at 5pm Friday and leaves AC on 8pm Saturday that she booked me on.

Here's the quandary. I personally think those times suck. I feel like I'm losing all day Friday and with check out on Sunday at 12noon an and I'll feel like a vagabond until about 6pm, especially if my bankroll takes a hit.

I usually leave LI around 9:30 on Friday and leave AC around 11 or 12 on Sunday.

Thoughts?

Yea, if your problem is only having to DRIVE yourself that 2 hours plus from Long Island to AC, then there are better alternatives.

I personally take the Bus from Port Authority or Cheesequake Rest Area in NJ. It is inexpensive and fairly efficient. It can take up to 3 hours some times, especially now during Summer time which is peak season in AC. But it is safe, mostly reliable, and good value ($40 round trip with a $25-$30 Slot dollar bonus).

Greyhound has a good schedule and leaves from Port Authority every hour until 11 30 PM. Academy used to be good, but there service has delcined greatly over the last few years.

Either way, it is a stress free trip (travel wise) and you can enjoy a weekend stay as the tickets are good for 5 days from purchase.

Bear in mind, that I have never been to AC, despite what my sig may say, but here are my thoughts based on some details that would influence my decision:

First, is the junket a general aviation/private flight or commercial? If it is a private flight, you still may save more time flying than driving. I know that it is not always time, but the stress of driving that you want to save. Still, if it is a commercial flight from a major airport, I might skip it and drive. As Gabes22 mentioned above, the check-in/security/etc. will eat up all the time you saved with the 30 minute flight.

How important is that early Friday afternoon to you? Personally, I like to be in the casinos before they fill up on the weekend evenings. If that's important to you, I would consider driving over flying.

As for the hotel room, how likely is it that you can get a late checkout on Saturday (or was it Sunday)? Perhaps your host could arrange that?

I understand the "be in AC in 30 minutes" appeal, and I still think there is some glamour in flying to your destination (though it may be all in my mind!). However, driving there will allow you to be in control of your own schedule, which seems very important to you based on your OP.

Thanks for your replies! I was just thinking.....hop on a flight, get there in about an hour door to door. I've come to realize all my problems start when "I'm just thinkin'"

I'll never forget an experience I had about 15 years ago. I was meeting my girlfriends in AC, had to take the bus from PA due to a family funeral. I get to AC and my girlfriends ran out of money and left me. My return bus was leaving at 6pm the next day, check out was noon and I too ran out of money. I don't know if it was before the days of ATMs or I just didn't have any money to take out but I felt like a homeless person....sitting on the boardwalk people watching and BROKE! Never again.

I travel so much for work (my territory is national) that I know about potential flying problems but it's more the timing of these flights.

The bus thing is OUT. I've taken buses in the past and each time it's been horrendous, bus breaking down, sitting next to a talker (a smelly one at that) etc,

Non casino things to do? I've been down for the airshow 3 times....did I ever see the airshow? Nope, always a machine or table calling my name or I'm on a streak. The same with the Blake Shelton show I went down for last year.

It takes me at least an hour to get into Penn Station or Port Authority on the LIRR, if I timed it right, I could be on the Outerbridge by then.

I think I'm just going to drive and take my chances on smooth sailing.

I've been driving to AC from Connecticut for years and don't have any horror stories that stand out. I like the freedom of calling the shots and often make spur of the moment detours to visit friends or relatives on the way down, back or both. I swear my wife packs more for a 2 or 3 day AC trip than she packs for a week in Vegas or anywhere else. :-)

Bear in mind that the AC airport is about a 25 minute ride away from the closest casino. Sure, the junket will have shuttle buses arranged, but it's another item to add to the PITA list.

I've decided to drive...yes it was the experience of flying on a private plane and the quick flight time....thought it might be a oh la la la moment. Honestly I think it will be more stressful than potential traffic and driving.

I have ressies at the Taj, with a lot of comp and slot dollars just waiting for me. Each time I stay there I don't give a $hi! about gambling since I always thenk they're going to close before I get there again. They keep giving me weekend rooms and great perks.

My girlfriend is staying at the Borgata and I was going to do an upgrade to Black, visit the Amphora lounge (liquor up) I know from past experience the check in lines at Harrah's can be up to an hour long AND I'm not a big fan of Harrah's anyway.

We have tickets on Sat. to BJ Thomas and Gary Puckett (can I hear a Raindrops and Young Girl....) along with a lot of comp and slot dollars there so I don't want to have to be beholden to CET.

I'll see if it works out for my next trip whenever that may be.

Quote: 1BB

I've been driving to AC from Connecticut for years and don't have any horror stories that stand out. I like the freedom of calling the shots and often make spur of the moment detours to visit friends or relatives on the way down, back or both. I swear my wife packs more for a 2 or 3 day AC trip than she packs for a week in Vegas or anywhere else. :-)

Your wife too?...I thought it was just mine. I don't know why we need as much crap for two days as two weeks. But apparently we do.

As for the OP's problem. Sorry but i don't see an easy solution. Seems like flying is actually more of a pain in the ass in this case than driving. I've been stuck on the boardwalk tapped out too...waiting for my bus. It does suck. So drive....no way you could bring a buddy or someone else to drive you? Either way. Have fun. I'll be there this weekend too..but not until Sunday.

Take the Chinatown bus from Brooklyn (Sunset Park). It's filthy and old but only $20. They BOOK it. 2 hours FLAT from BK to Caesars. Not for everybody. They have some nice bonus coupons too.

I find it absolutely insane I can't jump on a flight, $100 each way, to AC from DCA or IAD (hell, even BWI). The four hour drive to AC from DC can easily turn into 5+ (it's hard to not hit rush hour in one of the cities) and being stuck in traffic is infuriating.

I have told myself many times that I will never again take the bus. However, if I do not wish to drive, my only option is the bus or train. The train can easily cost $150 more than the bus and the process of transferring in PHL makes the trip much longer (can't just zone out for the whole trip).

Seriously, $200 RT to AC from any of the DC airports would get me there much more often. I would be an extremely profitable flight if they could fill it up... my guess is demand just isn't there.

Sorry for derailing, it just baffles me I can't find a flight and I'm not willing to put in the action that would be required for a junket.

Quote: ahiromu

I find it absolutely insane I can't jump on a flight, $100 each way, to AC from DCA or IAD (hell, even BWI). The four hour drive to AC from DC can easily turn into 5+ (it's hard to not hit rush hour in one of the cities) and being stuck in traffic is infuriating.

I have told myself many times that I will never again take the bus. However, if I do not wish to drive, my only option is the bus or train. The train can easily cost $150 more than the bus and the process of transferring in PHL makes the trip much longer (can't just zone out for the whole trip).

Seriously, $200 RT to AC from any of the DC airports would get me there much more often. I would be an extremely profitable flight if they could fill it up... my guess is demand just isn't there.

Sorry for derailing, it just baffles me I can't find a flight and I'm not willing to put in the action that would be required for a junket.

Keep an eye on choiceaire. They are planning flights from DC to ACY though I don't think they've announced a schedule yet.
https://choiceaireweb.intelisys.ca/viewflights.aspx

Quote: ahiromu

I find it absolutely insane I can't jump on a flight, $100 each way, to AC from DCA or IAD (hell, even BWI). The four hour drive to AC from DC can easily turn into 5+ (it's hard to not hit rush hour in one of the cities) and being stuck in traffic is infuriating.

I have told myself many times that I will never again take the bus. However, if I do not wish to drive, my only option is the bus or train. The train can easily cost $150 more than the bus and the process of transferring in PHL makes the trip much longer (can't just zone out for the whole trip).

Seriously, $200 RT to AC from any of the DC airports would get me there much more often. I would be an extremely profitable flight if they could fill it up... my guess is demand just isn't there.

Sorry for derailing, it just baffles me I can't find a flight and I'm not willing to put in the action that would be required for a junket.

Part of the issue with flying to AC (as opposed to driving or a bus) is when you get there you are still 10 miles from AC. So either gotta get on some sort of shuttle if it's a junket or get a cab or whatever. Either way you have to lug all your crap a second time. It's a pain in the ass. All airports are frankly. If i'm going anywhere closer than 500 miles I'm driving. It's just not worth the hassle of the airport crap.

Where do all you motorist park in AC on busy weekends?

Quote: vendman1

I've been stuck on the boardwalk tapped out too...waiting for my bus. It does suck.

Nothing worse than being in a casino without any money.

They obviously plan these junkets to keep the players as long as possible with nothing else to do. "High Rollers" of course get late check outs without even asking for them.

We, two of us "gamblers" were both so broke in Freeport Bahamas one "junket" we didn't have even the $10.departure tax. We had to beg/borrow it from the junket rep. Nothing more embarrassing. Luckily based on past experiences, we had left the airport parking fee in the car before leaving.

Quote: NokTang

Nothing worse than being in a casino without any money.

We, two of us "gamblers" were both so broke in Freeport Bahamas one "junket" we didn't have even the $10.departure tax. We had to beg/borrow it from the junket rep. Nothing more embarrassing. Luckily based on past experiences, we had left the airport parking fee in the car before leaving.

I remember having to leave quarters and dimes in the car for the tolls home and making sure we had at least $1.25 for the kids lunch money for them when we got home.
Don't know what we were thinking, going on a Sunday (it was a big deal to leave the husbands home with the kids) and leaving AC around 4am so we were back home to get the kids off to school....hence the lunch money necessity.

There was many a time we had to look in the car seats for that money lol

Quote: NokTang

Where do all you motorist park in AC on busy weekends?

Every casino has a parking garage with cheap parking if you have their players card which are free to obtain.

Quote: jerrysnj

Keep an eye on choiceaire. They are planning flights from DC to ACY though I don't think they've announced a schedule yet.
https://choiceaireweb.intelisys.ca/viewflights.aspx

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/charter-airline-to-offer-more-flights-partner-with-lpga-classic/article_869f02b6-f423-11e4-92b2-ff87468cf13a.html

Baltimore (unfortunately) on Sept 9. You can't buy a ticket yet.

Ten miles? It always seemed shorter.