Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

March 23, 2008 3:07 PM Posted by mike_ch

Yeah, this is true. It was followed like law when I took my run over to Canada last year. People stand on the right as people who want to rush by go past on the left.

The day after I came home, I went to the Strip for an opening event and couldn't believe how much people were making obstructions for themselves. The new thing seems to be formation walking, where if you try and walk past someone on the left, they start veering leftward and making it impossible for you to pass them without bumping into them or someone else. What's odd is that they're usually older women, who seem more frail to use their bodies as blockades like that.

March 23, 2008 3:19 PM Posted by deznutz

We should publish a book on proper tourist dos and donts. Working in Las Vegas in the restaurant business I see more stupid tourists that haven't a clue on how to tip, what silverware to use, and basically how to eat. It at least keeps me entertained! What should we call our book?

G

March 23, 2008 3:28 PM Posted by Hunter

"You're Really Dumb! Please Buy This Book!"?

Heh.

I'm not surprised to hear that this is a widely held peeve.

March 23, 2008 4:44 PM Posted by John

In England, much like Canada, this is almost law. Like most, this is a huge peeve of mine and I have been subject to some of the issues listed above. For instance, once I was trying to catch a monorail at Harrah's station, but was deterred from doing so by a woman with her luggage in the middle of the escalator. This woman then went on to inform me that since I, myself personally, was on vacation that I shouldn't be in a hurry. And, honestly, this is why we don't see people following this unwritten rule. For some reason, they all think everyone else is on faction and are all relaxing. It never occurs to them that one might be late for a dinner reservation, etc.

March 23, 2008 9:23 PM Posted by PKM135

While I agree concerning moving walkways (and in fact most have signs and/or writing on the walkway indicating were to walk and stand), escalators are a different situation.

It is generally not a good idea to walk on a escalator wether it is moving or not. The pitch of the stair tread on an escalator is not usually designed for walking.

The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation specifically states that you should only walk on moving walk ways not escalators.

The TSR elevator company indicates not to walk on escalator and to stand facing forward and hold the handrail.

In November of 2007 some subways in Japan have even begun posting signs telling people not to walk on the escalators.

Additionally, in June 2007 Toronto began removing signs that previously indicated "Stand Right, Walk Left" due to a safety issues.

That being said I also get very frustrated with the people blocking sidewalks by walking side by side in groups. My biggest pet peeve however is the people who get off of the escalator and immediately stop at the top or bottom as if no one could possibly be on the escalator behind them.

Another group I can't stand are the people who are waiting to get on the elevator and as soon as the door opens they start rushing in as if no one the elevator might need to get off.

March 23, 2008 9:54 PM Posted by mike_ch

People will walk up escalators anyways, especially at things like train stations. I myself have made a few escalator dashes trying to catch our monorail.

Unfortunately, all removing "Walk Left, Stand Right" signs do is remove courtesy, it doesn't change anyone's behvaiour.

March 23, 2008 9:57 PM Posted by mike_ch

Furthermore, although it goes outside the bounds of this website, I guess I should mention that one reason so many people do walk on escalators in Toronto is because the subway stations usually have escalators going down only. Anyone trying to go down on the stairs finds themselves feeling like a salmon trying to fight the stream. At rush hour it is impossible.

March 23, 2008 10:01 PM Posted by mike_ch

Er, whoops, lost my direction there. Most of the time the escalators are going up only, meaning everyone going down is taking the stairs, and making it a perilous situation for anyone going up on the stairs.

Point is, the stairs are a lot busier than, say, the Strip's overhead walkways.

March 23, 2008 10:10 PM Posted by mike_ch

And since I'm on a posting streak, I would like to ran for a minute about the Strip's overhead walkways: They're getting ridiculous at Flamingo.

The absolute worst is the walkway between Caesars and Bellagio. While this site has seen a lot of panhandling and guys selling water for a buck, there's now some "regulars" and, to my surprise, guys hocking their wares. One guy did so right at the top of the stairs on the Caesars end, causing a massive pileup of bodies as people stopped to look at what he was selling and he's since moved inwards and set himself up a table and everything.

The other walkways aren't nearly as bad. I can only guess it's because it's between two high-class hotels so the part-time jewelry sellers can catch Mr. and Mrs. Moneybags as they leave the Bellagio, but fortunately the ramp between Wynn and Palazzo so far remains fairly calm.

March 23, 2008 10:36 PM Posted by Jason Robar

Just to correct one thing with Mike's post about Toronto escalators, there are both up and down escalators at all Toronto subway stations. If there weren't, there would have been a large dust up over the issue.

(More than likely, the up escalators were broken, which does happen far too often.)

March 24, 2008 4:58 AM Posted by detroit1051

"...panhandling and guys selling water for a buck, there's now some "regulars" and, to my surprise, guys hocking their wares."
Who owns and controls these overhead walkways, the county or the casinos that paid for them? Is this issue a gray area like it is with porn-slappers?

March 24, 2008 8:40 AM Posted by Hunter

The county does... but I believe it's up to the neighboring casinos' security departments to police the area.

I've seen guards from Bellagio and Caesars Palace up there, shooing away merchants.

March 25, 2008 10:26 PM Posted by Mike T

Since we're ranting about tourists, here's a tourist DO: Do get the hell out of my way in the guestlist line at nightclubs. I live here. You don't. Nuff said. If you're not on the list, and don't know how to get on it because you either don't live here or don't "have the hook up", then stop wasting my time. I hate waiting, so get to steppin' on down to the general admission line.

March 26, 2008 1:59 AM Posted by mike_ch

What the hey? The nightclubs keep a list of people who live here? D:

I think the reason so many tourists show up there is they're lured to the club by those sidewalk "wanna go to a club tonight i got your way into every hot club in town step right up" fellas.

March 26, 2008 6:28 PM Posted by Chet

You put excess weight on an escalator when you attempt to climb up the mechanical steps.....which weren't meant for climbing. A moving walkway has a bit of support underneath it, although the way some people stomp and clomp down on the pads....

.....it's no wonder these types of conveyors are out of service so often.

BOTTOM LINE: These are conveyor belts that weren't meant for the types of force of weight that climbing and walking gives off. That's simply not the intended use for a conveyor belt, and escalator, or a moving walkway.

You might be able to get away with it if you don't climb with too much force or stomp down too hard.....but from all the running, and jumping I've seen....I think it might be better to just keep within the intended use, and simply stand on these devices, like they were meant for.