The Las Vegas destination was a bit more of a ride than most East Tennesseans wanted to chew off for four hours and it's not the Mecca that the High Rollers in East Tennessee really yearn for. It is my understanding that the "Redneck Bus to Vay-Gus" was only 34 percent booked and it was truly the gambling/swinging crowd that would be as happy in Tunica or Biloxli.

The return flight was an overnight gig that left Las Vegas at 11:00 p.m. local and landed in Blount County around 6:30 a.m. in the morning. You run that sucker to Tunica/Biloxli leaving at 11:00 p.m. local time and you can sleep in your own bed and get up broke at 6:30 a.m. in the morning.

Allegiant is a nice addition to the mix at McGhee Tyson, but it's not the savior to affordable air service in our community and it certainly won't to a flipping thing for economic development or filling the Knoxville convention center at all.

I just returned on Allegiant from Las Vegas this morning. The plane and service certainly weren't fancy but the air/hotel deal made this Christmas vacation possible. I'm not a high roller but some are who fly from Knoxville. The attraction was to see the shows and other attractions (i.e. Hoover Dam) besides just gambling. Although when the MGM Grand Hotel's lights went off (and my room was dark), fortunately the gambling could continue unabated. I'm sorry to hear about cancelling the direct flights. I have no interest in Tunica.