Snake Eyes
I recently returned from a two-night stay in Caesar’s casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. A high roller must have canceled their luxurious accommodations because the casino upgraded us to a spacious suite with an ocean view. All the hired help from porter to maid to waitress to dealer seemed extremely friendly to see gamblers in their hotel.
Drink in hand but trying not to act hoity toity, I strolled through a number of casinos to gauge this country’s stubborn recession. Riding the escalator, I could look out and see entire sections of gaming floor empty. No gambling, no consumers, not a peep. The bus shuttles for casino jumpers was reduced to fewer runs. Counterintuitive to loose pocket patronage, nearly every television showed news coverage of the recession and debated the economic stimulus plan. Elevators were uncommonly available. Some restaurants were closed due to limited hours. Interior and exterior casino accent lighting was offed, dimmed, or only turned on during high traffic intervals.
For two days, I walked through ghost town casinos with money to burn completely unscathed and recession proof. On the third day, I returned to work and learned that my employer is imposing monthly-unpaid furlough days. If I were a betting man, I would say that the recession has finally hit home. It was only a matter of time for snake eyes.
Labels: current events
posted by Joe Tornatore | 6:28 PM
7 Comments:
I was beginning to think you had your hand operated on not your foot!
I thought those furlough days were not mandatory-we get news down here, believe it or not
mommanator,
As I understand it, there is no voluntary furlough program any longer. this is its ugly sister. it's not all said and done yet. i'm sure some legal eagles will get into the political ring on this.
But...did you get your picture taken with a Playboy Bunny?
Mike
Mike,
I said snake eyes not snake. lol
They stopped letting us take voluntary furlough days awhile ago because we are too short-staffed to allow it, and they would not let anyone take the early retirement package for the same reason. They are hiring several new supervisors (Area and County Admins: interviews have already begun), but because the budget is so bad, they're forcing us to take unpaid furlough days in May and June, with the probability of layoffs in July. It is insane. When was the last time you saw supervisory staff come in early, stay late or work through lunch to get the job done? I'm sorry, managers are by no means overwhelmed, and hiring any more of them is unjustified. I would be glad to take furlough days to help with a tight budget IF we were not keeping the good ol' boy network alive by giving friends of management cushy pay increases.
merci,
mega dittos. With my name attached to this blog, there is only so much I can say.
Ceaser's Casino never ceases to amaze me. Everything from their beautiful ceilings to the seemingly custom made carpet. Thank you for sharing.
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