Greatest Secrets of McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas

Millions of people traverse McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas every year without having any clue about the secrets that are held by the airport and the workers therein. It is one of those places where you wish the walls could talk. The next time you find yourself walking around the Las Vegas airport, kick around some of these secrets with your travel companions.

The Slots

McCarran International Airport is known for the slot machines which line the walkways. Unlike the slots inside the casinos, the one-arm bandits here do not have to follow all of the payout rules of the Nevada Gaming Commission. These slot machines are among the tightest in the entire city.

The Museum?

Most people do not realize that there is a museum hidden inside of the Las Vegas airport. If you travel above the baggage claim, you will see signs for the Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum. This aviation museum is open 24 hours a day and is often never noticed by most passangers. It is run by Mark Hall-Patton, who is known best for his visits on "Pawn Stars." He can be seen here from time to time.

Scrub Your Hands

Most casino chips are made of a clay compound that can set off some of the TSA sensors as you are passing through security. If you are handling casino chips right before heading to the airport, make sure you scrub your hands. The security officials know that the residue from chips can sometimes give off the same sensor readings as plastic explosives. A secondary test can tell the difference, but I am sure you do not want to be pulled aside for such a minor issue.

In the Movies

Many movies have been shot in McCarran, including scenes from "Rush Hour 2" and "Midnight Run." One of my favorite James Bond movies, "Diamonds Are Forever," also shot scenes here. My wife hates it when I make believe I am Bond and that she is Tiffany Case. She gets mad when I speak with Sean Connery's accent and keep talking about meeting up with Felix Leiter to discuss the movements of Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

Janet

Look out the windows while you are at McCarran International Airport and be observant of the planes outside. If you happen to see an unmarked white plane with a red stripe along the side, take a picture of it. This is the closest you will ever get to one of the greatest secrets in the world.

At various times of the day, these flights fill up with people and head off to one of the most mysterious and fabled locations in the world. These flights are run by defense contractor EG&G, a division of URS, and use the de facto call sign of "Janet" for their trips. EG&G transports workers to government facilities around the U.S. and uses McCarran to transport workers to the government complex at Groom Lake. As others are watching out for celebrities at the airport, keep your eyes sharp, as you might walk by someone who knows what is really going on at Area 51.