Hawaii flights still domestic despite Terminal 3 use

This is one of those weeks where we are all over the map. So let’s start navigating.

Bill asks: I’m sure you must be getting bombarded with questions regarding the soon-to-open Terminal 3 at McCarran International Airport. We have family members who will be flying to Hawaii at the end of July. I read in one of your columns that all international flights will move to Terminal 3. Is Hawaii considered international? If so, will they still be able to get to T3 from the Summerlin area on Interstate 215 when they get near the airport?

Bill refers to himself as “wrong-turn Bill” because he struggles to navigate the roads at the airport. I always feel obligated to help the guy out lest he finds himself circling those roads for days. First off, Bill, even though you are flying over the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is still part of us, and there is no customs process necessary, so it is domestic. That said, Hawaiian Airlines is one of seven airlines that will have its ticketing counter inside Terminal 3. It will join Alaska, Frontier, JetBlue, Sun Country, Virgin America and United. Some of those domestic carriers will depart from the new terminal. Other passengers will have to go through ticketing in security, then take the tram to the D Gates.

The international airlines that will use the new terminal are AeroMexico, Air Berlin, Air Canada, ArkeFly, British Airways, Condor, Copa, Korean Air, Philippines Airlines, Sunwing Thomas Cook, Virgin Atlantic, VivaAerobus, Volaris, WestJet and XL Airways France.

To address the second part of wrong-turn’s question, yes, you will be able to access the new terminal from the 215. McCarran built new roads and bridges that will guide you over there. We just mentioned this the other day, but it’s worth repeating: There will be signs, big signs, that will give people such as Bill plenty of time to identify the airline’s home and get onto the proper road.

Doug wants motorists to blink: What is wrong with people in this town? You would think that vehicles no longer are equipped with turn signals. It’s a rare treat when you see a driver actually use one. Isn’t it the law?

Yes, Doug, it is the law. Nevada Revised Statute states clearly that motorists who are in business districts or residential areas must signal at least 100 feet before changing lanes or making a turn – that’s about five or six clicks of your blinker, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation. If you are in other more rural areas, you are required to turn your signals on at least 300 feet before making a turn or switching lanes.

Apparently Las Vegans are not alone in their bad habits when it comes to letting others know their lane-changing intentions. A national survey showed that 57 percent of Americans do not use their blinkers, saying they forget, didn’t have enough time or were too lazy. Now that’s lazy.

Marcia wants to know protocol: I was hoping you’d go a little further with the four-way stop information. There are two intersections in my Henderson neighborhood that have two travel lanes and a left-turn lane in each direction. I’m never sure when I pull up next to a car that has already waited his turn if I’m supposed to proceed when he does or wait for my turn to come around again. Mostly, I wish they’d just install traffic lights!

OK, Marcia, I made calls to driving schools and law enforcement on this one, and this is what everybody agreed upon. If there are two through lanes and you and your neighbor who arrived at the stop sign first are both continuing through the intersection, you can proceed alongside that vehicle as long as you come to a complete stop first. That first car in the neighboring lane is blocking the intersection, so there is little risk of a collision. Of course, Marcia mentioned the left-turn lanes. If one car is going through the intersection and you are turning left, you have to wait for your turn to proceed.

Here is Arizona Ann: Please tell those of us in Kingman who make trips to Nevada (think Costco or the doctor) about the new cellphone law while driving. I read somewhere that the only thing you can do is turn it on or off. Does that mean you can use a Bluetooth while driving and talking?

Southern Nevadans, please forgive me for repeating this one. I would have written Ann back with the details, but as she pointed out a quick review could be helpful to all our out-of-state friends. You can use your cellphones with a hands-free device, such as a Bluetooth. You are permitted to activate and deactivate your phone, but that is it. If you are going to dial, it has to be voice activated. The fines associated with the law are: $50 for the first offense; $100 for the second and $250 for the third and any subsequent violations.

If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Adrienne Packer at 702-387-2904, or send an email to roadwarrior@review journal.com. Include your phone number.