SlotZilla is finally fully operational! Today is only day two of being open to the public and I was first in line (for the zoomline). I actually bought my ticket to the upper zoomline last night. I have been waiting for this since the idea was announced years ago. How could I not be excited at the opportunity to ride. The thought of flying like Superman down the entire length of the Fremont Street Experience is too great a thrill to avoid. \n\nI arrived at 11:00 AM knowing my flight time was not until noon. But they say you have to check in at least 15 minutes prior and I was not sure how long the line would be since today is Labor Day. It turns out I was very early and nobody else was around to form a line. That makes no difference to me. I was right up front and ready to go. I even got to assist the staff by moving the ribbon blockade out of the way ready to usher todays guest up the stairs. Again, I was first up and first on the scale. Then on to another line to get suited up and ready to go. Here is where the waiting began.\n\nI watched the elevator go up and come down a couple of times with staff and gear. Then it became a game of hurry up and wait. They weren't ready for the \"fliers\" yet. I was getting very hot in the full body harness with no air flow. Finally the moment arrived as did the elevator. My ascent to the top of the world had begun. Or at least to the launch deck of a very big slot machine. Our chariot was in the form of an open air elevator a la construction crane. It provided some nice views of East Vegas and South to the airport. Nice views but short lived.\n\nI was one of the first riders to the lift table along with two women. We were told to lay on the table and were then lifted to the cable ready to be connected. A few tugs here and there and the table began to lower, the harness now supporting my full weight. A couple more last minute adjustments to the straps and we were all ready to go. The front gate lowered and my heart began to race. Then much to my surprise, absolutely nothing happened. Apparently the system was not ready or not resetting. The door was raised back up as were the tables. This was a welcome adendum to the delay. Hanging in the harness was not nearly as comfortable as lying on the table. Another several minutes later the system was fully reset and we were off.\n\nStarting at 108 feet up, riders are higher than the canopy of the Fremont Street Experience. You lose sight of the cables and it looks as though you will crash right into the light display. But alas, you glide gently beneath while racing along at over 35 MPH. Looking down I could see tourist, show girls and street performers all looking up in amazement. \"Its a bird. Its a plane. Its a fat man\" is what I imagine they were saying as I passed by faster than a speeding gnat. Before too long I reached the end of the line and crashed hard into the break run. I was pulled into the landing platform where a second table raised up to meet me and I was made detached from the line. A quick photo opportunity and the removal of the harness and my experience was over. \n\nThis was the most fun and thrilling activity I have participated in in the last couple of years. $40 is a bit much given the duration of the ride but for the technology, the equipment and the staff, I suppose it is a necessary evil. My hope is that they get the bugs worked out soon to get the lines flowing more smoothly. Also, better training for the staff would not be a bad idea. They have fun joking around with each other but almost to the point of being unprofessional. That being said, never once did I feel unsafe. Just excited.
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