Brandon Flowers speaks out for Valet Workers

Boilermaker ought to know.....google how many ounces in a shot of whiskey and the answer is 1.5 ounces in the US

MGM is also pouring booze from a drink gun, so you are likely getting a cheap imitation (i.e. Admiral Nelson vs Captain Morgan) if you ask for a "call" liquor. They will not be getting my business.

Tony Nelson made Admiral? I didn't know that Astronauts could hold that rank. I wonder of Jeannie blinked him a promotion?

Tony Nelson, best I can tell, did not reach the rank of Admiral during the TV show years, but instead during the movie "I Dream of Jeannie: Fifteen Years Later".

Here is where we could use the wise words of Rizzo.

Question is, where do the valet employees go? to the street or retrained to other casino positions?

What skill set does a vallet possess?

Why is it that you seem to defend corporations the most on this board? I thought you were a bleeding heart liberal.

2. Skinny Pours at Resort Bars

Not to pick on MGM Resorts, but at the moment they’re the company most focused on cost-
cutting measures, and this one’s a doozy.

It hasn’t been reported in any news outlet we’re aware of, but MGM Resorts has quietly
begun shrinking the pour in its cocktails.

Specifically, the amount of liquor in a “standard pour” (a shot) in mixed drinks at MGM Resorts casinos has always been 1.5 ounces. Now, a top-down mandate requires pours be 1.25 ounces, or 17% less.

Surprise!

Also of interest, and perhaps not so surprising, is the fact comped drinks have less liquor than cocktails you pay for. Comped mixed drink shots are one ounce, while paid-for drinks get the 1.25-ounce pour.

While that doesn’t sound like a lot, when multiplied out by the thousands of drinks served
at casinos across Las Vegas, it adds up to a substantial amount of liquor and, by
extension, cost savings.

This change has gone virtually unnoticed, a fact partially explained by the fact the
company did extensive blind taste testing to see if diminishing the pour quantity would be
noticed by customers. It was decided most people couldn’t tell the difference, so the new
guideline was rolled out across all MGM Resorts casinos in the city.

MGM Resorts isn’t the only company tightening its grip in the hooch, of course.

We’ve long chronicled the ways casinos are monitoring gambling in relation to free drinks, including the use of slot machine vouchers and other buzz-killing systems, as well as the insidious practice of substituting liquor brands for comped drinks.

Feel like you’re not getting that same buzz when you’re in Vegas? There’s a very good
reason. Paying for parking is certainly a pain, but cutting back on our inebriation level
gets us downright cranky.

Update (6/7/16): A rep from MGM Resorts sent a response to our story about the smaller pour size, stating:

“We did analysis last year across our resorts and across Las Vegas. We found that bars and restaurants at MGM resorts were not dispensing liquor in mixed drinks at uniform levels. We also did search across Las Vegas and found the standard liquor pour is 1.25 ounces at most Las Vegas resorts. As a result, we took steps in 2015 to standardize the beverage process to assure each customer receives an accurate and consistent measure of liquor in each mixed drink.”



“Our view is that universal spirits and pour size among our properties has improved the guest experience by offering a consistent product. Bartenders prepare drinks more efficiently and consistently by maximizing the use of free pour jiggers and bar guns. By also aligning these procedures we also make training and transfers between resorts efficient and more available for employees seeking to advance their careers.”



MGM Resorts added: “We expected no negative comments from our customers and have received none.”

Here’s what we learned: 1) MGM Resorts actually made its pours smaller in 2015, not recently. 2) Less liquor in drinks improves the guest experience. 3) The decision to make pours smaller was made, in part, to help bartenders advance their careers. 4) “Universal Spirits” would make a great band name.

Vital Vegas

I complained to them recently. We stayed at an MGM property over Thanksgiving, probably our 20th stay at least. I always get an online survey to complete.

On this survey I was not shy when I complained about the quality of their drinks at the tables as well as 6:5 blackjack. I was very specific:

(1) I sent back 3 gin and tonics because they tasted like crap. Who can't make a decent G&T? All three times I suggested to the CW what I thought may be the problem...either bad gin or bad mixer. All three were undrinkable.

(2) Then I ordered a lemon drop martini. They always made excellent ones before. This one tasted like lemonade, no detectable liquor. I sent it back, told the CW why.

(3) Then I ordered a pina colada. It looked lovely, but was nothing but shaved ice, so much ice I couldn't suck up any liquid through the straw. I sent it back and told the CW the problem, gave up and ordered black coffee. I reported all this, including the dates and times of service and the pit I was playing in, on the survey.

I suggest anyone who stays/plays at an MGM property (or any property) and receives the survey, do not hesitate to fill it in and describe whatever is displeasing to you, especially if your drinks aren't up to par. If you've missed seeing your favorite Valet worker, write about that. The property I speak of has made negative changes and IMO is going all to hell. The survey is the only way for top management to hear complaints.

On the survey I said "This was not the xxxxxx we have enjoyed and patronized for many years. It appears management is intent on driving away customers. I used to brag how xxxxxxx was the best place to play blackjack, but no more. This visit I saw many empty tables with idle dealers. What happened? Then I saw that you have downgraded the return on blackjack to 6:5. That, and the bad cocktails, explains a lot. Penny wise and pound foolish." Of course I have yet to receive a reply, don't expect one. It probably hit the round file about halfway through. But I tried.

Slots-A-Fun?

I had complaints about cocktails served at the MGM Grand from the 90s. I remember ordering drinks and they came in much smaller glasses than what you would get at a bar.