When we met with Benson Joseph for this story at The Linq Promenade, it was crawling with conventioneers in town for DEF CON (a convention for hackers). Joseph was excited about the convention, as he is currently attending college to study cybersecurity.
“I want to be a hacker, but ethical hacking, to protect companies,” he says. “I want a career in cybersecurity, and set up systems and infrastructures for companies. I graduate from CSN (College of Southern Nevada) in a year and a half.”
Until then, Joseph secures Vegas visitors—into harnesses as the operations manager for the FLY LINQ Zipline attraction at The Linq Promenade. He’s been with FLY LINQ since it opened four years ago, and before that he spent four years at Vegas’ downtown zipline ride, SlotZilla. To date, he’s ziplined more than a thousand times, and he’s fully schooled in the art.
“I wouldn’t say I’m afraid of heights,” Joseph says. “I say I respect heights. I wouldn’t go to the edge without being tethered into a harness. I was nervous in the beginning, but after a while it just feels like a form of transportation.”
As the manager, Joseph oversees staff and all of the equipment and safety procedures, and you can find him talking guests off the 120-foot ledge (literally!).
“I love meeting all the different people that ride FLY LINQ,” he says. “No matter where you’re from, fear is the same. No matter what language is spoken, I know when someone is scared, and I’m there to reassure them before sending them off.”
Product: FLY LINQ Zipline keepsakes
“FLY LINQ’s harnesses are super-duper comfortable,” Joseph says. “It’s like sitting in a hammock. It’s the most comfortable seated harness I’ve ever been in.” After riding the zipline, be sure to stop by the gift shop near the High Roller to pick up some branded keepsakes like backpacks, stress balls, koozies and more.
Benefit: To beat your friends in a race, hold on to the bar and lean back while having your feet tucked under you.
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