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September 14, 2006
Turnarounds and tight connections
When doing a mileage run, or even a complex itinerary with tight connections, it is always reassuring to know if your next flight is on the same aircraft. Check out this thread for several handy tips to find out if this is the case.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 2:37 PM
Five FT Finds
An FTer birthday this week - wish sftrvlr happy birthday on September 16.
A FT Do in the next 30 days - what does poetry, flying the space shuttle, living history, a state fair and mileage running have in common? They're all activities at PHX Do October 13-14
A FT Do in the next 3-6 months - surely the most misnamed FT DO ever, the London Detox Do is on January 13 2007.
Something from the talking heads, err Talk Board - some recommendations for Randy for the next election and skchin asks for a forum for Korean Airlines.
Something random - 1000 places to see before you die? Agree, disagree with the selection? A waste of time or something you really must tick off?
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 2:12 PM
September 11, 2006
United is going white
Continuing the color theme, it seems United boarding passes are going all white as GoingAway reports here.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 12:09 PM
Blue or red
Apparently color does matter to Cathay Pacific. How? Find out in this thread.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 12:23 AM
September 10, 2006
$8.69 for a $1.00 Telephone Call?!?
FlyerTalk member and seasoned traveler drtravels55 warns: Be cautious of using airport pay phones!
Find out about the experience of using a credit card to place a local telephone call at a pay telephone at the airport in Seattle — as well as what happened next.
Posted by Canarsie at 9:55 PM
Remembering September 11, 2001...
I remember that day vividly.
Due to the unpredictable nature of my business, I usually fly everywhere I go, even if my destination is within driving distance, because I never know if I will need to fly out directly from where I am at that moment.
Bizarrely, for some inexplicable reason unknown to this day, I made an unusual decision to drive the three-hour trip east on Interstate 20 to Augusta instead of fly from the Atlanta area.
I was training several employees at a medical college on how to use their new equipment.
About an hour or so into the training, I received word third-hand about an airplane hitting one of the towers of the World Trade Center. As a native New Yorker who has flown into New York many times, I knew that the flight path into LaGuardia Airport sometimes had aircraft fly close to the World Trade Center on approach to land, so I figured this was an accident.
Then, in concurrent reports, I heard about the affected tower collapsing, the Pentagon being hit in Washington, D.C., another airplane crashing into the other tower, an aircraft being hijacked in Pennsylvania, the other tower collapsing...
...the horrible news just kept pouring in and mounting, to the point where we were listening to it via the radio as it happened.
Management at the college decided to pause for a few minutes and have everybody gather in one area to pray together. It seemed like World War III had begun, as we knew nothing about what was happening or why it was happening. All we knew is that life in the United States would never again be the same.
Difficult as it was, I managed to stay focused and complete the training.
Driving home was eerily creepy and surreal. There was virtually no traffic on the highways — not even in Atlanta during the height of “rush hour” at 5:00 in the afternoon — and the electronic overhead variable character signs emblazoned the words “Hartsfield Airport Closed — National Emergency”.
When I arrived home, I finally was able to see video footage of what happened that day. As a native New Yorker, I was furious when I found out that suicidal terrorists had struck and successfully destroyed parts of my “home”. I never wanted to be on top of the tallest buidling I could find or get on an aircraft as much as I did that day to show those terrorists around the world that I am not afraid. How dare they attack my home!!!
My only regret was not first stopping at the airport in Augusta to offer a ride to Atlanta to several passengers who were most likely stranded there due to air traffic in the United States being completely shut down in an unprecedented action.
FlyerTalk members personally experienced the horrors of that infamous day as well. As a close-knit community, worried about the well-being of each other, they posted in the now-legendary Tragedy Roll Call - Please Sign In thread.
smooth is a FlyerTalk member who posted “I am back in the air and it does not feel the same” five days later.
There are many other threads in a plethora of different FlyerTalk forums whose topic pertains to that fateful day five years ago tomorrow — too numerous to list here. However, do a Search on FlyerTalk for “9/11” or “September 11” in your favorite FlyerTalk forum or throughout FlyerTalk to find out the thoughts, opinions, facts and personal experiences about other FlyerTalk members pertaining to September 11, 2001.
May a day like that never happen again.
Posted by Canarsie at 5:01 PM
Do You Remember Your First Time?
You are finally going to do it.
Your hands start sweating and your heart starts pumping faster as you prepare for this special moment.
The excitement builds to a crescendo as you are overwhelmed with losing your virginity.
What?!? No — I am not discussing that.
I am talking about FlyerTalk member sharkshooter’s First time in First! Read all about the anticipation leading up to the moment, as well as the questions and the request for advice.
Most importantly, read about sharkshooter’s climactic thrill of getting lucky and finally doing it. You will find that sharkshooter posted “YOW” at least several times as a result — especially after fellow FlyerTalk member zorn posted something about “an enormous but”...
Posted by Canarsie at 4:44 PM
September 9, 2006
The Naked Truth is that You Have Entered The Buff-er Zone...
...so do not be embarrassed.
Go ahead — enter the Well, some guest saw my & my lady in the buff this weekend thread unannounced and read about all of the clothes calls where people who nude better about locking their doors to a hotel or motel room left them unlocked anyway.
The stark reality is that it happens anyway — even if the percentage of occurrences is thought to be at a bare minimum.
The lesson on which to latch, however, is that it is key that one locks one’s door if one wants privacy.
If you do not think that my deadbolt humour is adoorable, I will stop — but only for now, and only if you read the Well, some guest saw my & my lady in the buff this weekend thread...
Posted by Canarsie at 8:00 PM
Listen Up and Receive American Airlines AAdvantage Miles!
How much simpler can it be to earn miles?
- Receive 150 American Airlines AAdvantage Miles for simply watching a 2-minute video about Bose® QuiteComfort® QC3 acoustic NoiseCancelling® headphones. This offer expires September 30, 2006.
- Receive a voucher for 350 American Airlines AAdvantage Miles for an in-store demonstration of the Bose® QuiteComfort® headphones. Redeem the voucher by October 31, 2006.
- Also, if you decide to purchase the Bose® QuiteComfort® QC2 acoustic NoiseCancelling® headphones, receive 725 American Airlines AAdvantage Miles.
- If you decide to purchase the Bose® QuiteComfort® QC3 acoustic NoiseCancelling® headphones, receive 850 American Airlines AAdvantage Miles.
Now hear this: go to the Promo - Bose: 150mi for video, 350 for demo thread for further details. It will be music to your ears.
Posted by Canarsie at 12:13 AM
September 8, 2006
Staying in New York City on a Budget
As a native New Yorker, somehow “New York City” and “budget” just do not seem to go together. I mean, who would think of using “New York City” and “budget” in the same thought or sentence?
FlyerTalk member WillTravel is brave enough to ask about budget accommodations in New York City in the New York City budget accommodation thread. In fact, WillTravel is so brave that his alleged FlyerTalk counterpart, HaveGun, was too afraid to even register on FlyerTalk as a member — at least, to my knowledge, anyway...
Are there really places in New York City where one can stay on a budget — that is, besides in a cardboard box on the street near the curb, or on a subway grate covered with newspapers?
Find out by reading the New York City budget accommodation thread.
Posted by Canarsie at 11:54 PM
Here is a Thread That Wheel Drive You Crazy!
If you tire of the miles and points threads that pervade throughout FlyerTalk, how about taking a brake and steering towards the Odd Driving Customs thread?
Reading that thread is key to learning more about the driving customs, habits and sheer engine-uity of shifty characters around the world who cross the line when it comes to the way they drive. Some may say that they are not exactly “running on all cylinders”, if you know what I mean.
Go ahead — yield to the temptation, park yourself in a nice cozy spot and read that thread.
Posted by Canarsie at 11:45 PM
If You Have Acquired Greater Than 125,000 Medallion Qualification Miles on Delta Air Lines This Year, Read This...
Usually when FlyerTalk member rcs85551 posts something in the Delta forum, not only is his information quite valuable, but he also regularly scoops news on FlyerTalk pertaining to Delta Air Lines.
The 2006 PM 125K MQM Threshold benefits promo thread is no exception.
If you have acquired greater than 125,000 Medallion Qualification Miles this year on Delta Air Lines, not only are you already a Platinum Medallion Delta Air Lines SkyMiles member until February 2008 (and have been so for the past 50,000 Medallion Qualification Miles), but you also have a choice of “thank you” gifts from Delta Air Lines:
- 25,000 bonus Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
- 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles carried over to 2007
- 12 month Crown Room Club membership
- 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles carried over to 2007
Posted by Canarsie at 11:22 PM
September 7, 2006
To Where is the Most Obscure Place You Have Been?
I have been to the home of FlyerTalk member obscure2k. Does that count?
Actually, FlyerTalk member gt_croz asks this question in the What's the most obscure place you've been to? thread.
In response, FlyerTalk members have been to such places around the world as far away (or as close by) as Lamu, Ochopee, Merzouga, Dhahran, Sanpokumura, Nagri, Esquipulas, Suzdal, Kribi, Kashgar, Korhogo, Armento, Afsin, Anegada, Cabinda, Cochiguaz, Zipolite, Shkodra, Plzen, Bamfield, Bhramanburia, Peshawar, Madurai, Arviat, Jahore Bahru, Biak, Svalbard, Pig — and even Hell!
Of course, as a FlyerTalk member, you know exactly where these places are located — correct?
If not, you could create a guessing game out of this — but perhaps a better idea is to read the What's the most obscure place you've been to? thread and find out!
After reading the entire thread, your next assignment is to go to these obscure places. Find out what airlines and airline routes you need to get to these places, and then find a place to stay. I wonder where is the nearest Hilton hotel to Korhogo...
By the way, does the portion of my attic that is above the shower in my bathroom count? Very few people have ever been there...
Posted by Canarsie at 11:28 AM
September 5, 2006
Travel Trivia and Road Network Information
In response to what FlyerTalk member GreerApproach just posted in this “blog” today, I felt compelled to introduce two FlyerTalk threads: The FlyerTalk Travel Trivia Forum and The FlyerTalk Road Network Forum threads.
Yes, I am to blame for launching both of them — but please allow me to explain my rationale.
I launched The FlyerTalk Travel Trivia Forum thread because I felt that the more one knew about geographic locations and places in the world, the more one would feel compelled to travel to them. For example, while it is not exactly an obsession of mine, I try to be in the northernmost place or the highest place or the oldest place in the world or that part of the world. Knowing how obsessive many FlyerTalk members can be, I figured who better than to ask and answer trivia questions than fellow FlyerTalk members?
As for The FlyerTalk Road Network Forum thread, that was a “spin-off” of all of the highway and road questions asked in The FlyerTalk Travel Trivia Forum thread. For road aficianados such as me, I believed that a thread dedicated primarily to roads and highways around the world was needed.
There you have it.
Next time you want to know about, ask or answer some travel trivia in general or pertaining to roads and highways, please stop by and visit one or both of the aforementioned FlyerTalk threads.
Posted by Canarsie at 12:09 PM
September 4, 2006
Soft Drinks in the Lounge: “That Will Be $10, Please...”
Usually, one of the benefits of reaching Elite status in the frequent traveler program of your choice is the amenities, such as relaxing in the private Lounge and enjoying free food and beverages.
However, imagine the surprise of FlyerTalk member sbtinme, who was served a bill for $10.00 for two club sodas, one of which was so full of ice that sbtinme had to order another one.
sbtinme, who is a veteran guest of this lounge, never knew that the two club sodas would cost any money. After all, this is not hard liquor or wine about which we are discussing here.
Frankly, if two soft drinks cost $10.00 plus a tip for the Lounge attendant, I would rather skip the lounge and buy my own soft drinks, as they are less expensive anywhere else — even at a restaurant!
What’s next — a fee for reading month-old magazines — or, perhaps, a coin-operated television set?
What is the point of a Lounge if one has to pay for the amenities associated with it?
Read more about this developing story in the Charging for soda in Club Lounges?? thread...
Posted by Canarsie at 8:56 AM
September 3, 2006
Are You Hungry but Tired of the Same Old Meals?
You could go to the DiningBuzz! forum and find out what FlyerTalk members think about different types of food, restaurants and the cities in which they are located — and you may just find what you need as a result of your search...
...or you could even go to the FlyerTalk forums devoted to specific regions and destinations of the United States and the world to find that elusive perfect meal that will satisfy your appetite.
However, did you know that there is an area of FlyerTalk where one can look at reviews of restaurants around the world posted by fellow FlyerTalk members based on their personal experiences?
Furthermore, if you do not feel like going out to eat and would rather prepare a meal, did you know that there is a “cookbook” area entirely devoted to recipes posted by fellow FlyerTalk members called RecipeTalk?
In fact, you are cordially invited to post a restaurant review or a recipe which you may want to share with fellow FlyerTalk members.
It just goes to show that FlyerTalk members never can bite off more than they can chew when it comes to food!
Posted by Canarsie at 9:07 AM
Do You Prefer Upper or Lower?
No, I was not referring to that. Get your mind out of the gutter.
I was referring to Upper Deck vs Main Deck.
No, that FlyerTalk thread is not about where in a stadium one prefers to sit in the stands, nor is it about those people who are fortunate enought to have two levels of decks on the back of their homes. It is not even about the preference of cards for poker players.
If you have ever seen a Boeing 747 aircraft, you would notice that the front end of the aircraft has two levels: the upper deck and the lower, or main, deck.
Find out which deck FlyerTalk members prefer the most whenever they travel. Of course, if you already have a preference based on personal experience, please feel free to post in that thread.
You might just have the upper hand on the discussion...
Posted by Canarsie at 8:43 AM
September 2, 2006
Unhappy About Being Upgraded. Why?
Many FlyerTalk members would do almost anything for that elusive upgrade — especially to destinations such as Hawai’i.
Imagine someone adamant enought to not only refuse to be upgraded on a flight, but actually take the trouble to contact the airline to relinquish the confirmed upgrade once it had already been issued!
How bizarre!
Why in the world would anyone be unhappy with an upgrade?
Find out in the Unhappy about being upgraded. Why? thread.
Go figure...
Posted by Canarsie at 11:27 AM
Oh, Why Oh Why Must I Read This Thre-e-e-e-ead?!?
This is because this is the Wine Thread where you can read about pour FlyerTalk members who have had their feelings and thoughts bottled up and fermenting inside of them finally express themselves by wining at each other.
Drink in to all of the fruitful suggestions of preferred wines of all kinds from around the world. You will be grapeful that you did.
Regardless, I predict that this thread will still eventually become a vintage FlyerTalk thread. I would be crushed if it did not...
Posted by Canarsie at 8:47 AM
Until December 15, 2006: Double or Triple Miles on Air Canada to London!
If you are an Air Canada Aeroplan member, you can earn double or triple Aeroplan miles to London from Canadian cities such as Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton, all of which have direct service to London.
FlyerTalk member tcook052 wanted to alert fellow FlyerTalk members by posting the AC’s Across the Pond promotion is here!Earn up to Triple Aeroplan Miles Canada-London thread, in which tcook052 warns: “Hurry! Register online for the Across the Pond promotion or by calling 1-800-342-8026 between September 1 and December 15, 2006.”
This offer ends on December 15, 2006.
Posted by Canarsie at 12:10 AM
September 1, 2006
A Taxing Topic is Heating Up in Alaska...
...would you pay US$50.00 extra dollars to go on an Alaskan cruise?
At issue: is the Alaska state government charging US$50.00 extra dollars in taxes per cruise passenger to help save the environment and keep it pristine, or is the tax merely pure greed on the part of the state government?
Follow the debate and discussion here in the Alaska to charge each cruise ship passenger a $50 head tax thread.
Posted by Canarsie at 11:28 PM
Puddle-Jumper or Car?
That is the name of this FlyerTalk thread.
The quick answer is to fly, of course. After all, as the name implies, FlyerTalk is all about miles and points earned by flying and — unless you use a credit card for purchases that will earn points or miles — driving a car is a moot point on FlyerTalk, and a moot point is about the only type of point one could earn by driving one’s own car.
However, FlyerTalk member jg70124 launched this FlyerTalk thread for a reason.
The quandary faced by jg70124 is that jg70124, who is based in New York City, needed to be in Binghamton, New York one day and Stratham, New Hampshire for two days.
Should jg70124 fly from New York to Binghamton via changing aircraft in Philadelphia on a Monday night, then Binghamton to Boston via changing aircraft in Philadelphia on a Tuesday night, and then finally return to New York from Boston on a Thursday night — all on “puddle-jumper” (usually propellor) aircraft, or should jg70124 simply drive to each location? Before you answer, keep in mind that upon landing in Boston, jg70124 must still travel at least an hour to get to Stratham and another hour to return to Boston. However, also keep in mind the potential for earning miles and possible “segment credit” for all of those flights.
Puddle-jumper or car? Which would you choose?
Posted by Canarsie at 9:13 PM
I Did Not Know About What to Write. I Was in a Real Pickle...
...so I had to dill with it.
I tried to chip away at finding a FlyerTalk thread about which to spotlight. I decided to spear a brand-new thread that was launched today: The Pickle thread.
“Sweet!” I thought to myself, relishing the idea of writing about a FlyerTalk thread pertaining to one of my favourite foods.
You do not have to be over a barrel in terms of where to find it: in the DiningBuzz! forum on FlyerTalk. My mouth was ajar to the fact that no one else had written about this thread yet. If someone already had, I would have been green with envy.
As of this posting, the thread is too new to reach the briny depths pertaining to pickles. If you have soured on other reading material found on the Internet, then quit gherkin around — you may want to crunch right into this thread.
Posted by Canarsie at 5:42 PM
It is Never Too Early to Think About Qualifying for Elite Status Next Year...
Ahh...it is now September.
Soon, the temperatures will start cooling and the leaves will start changing color and falling — unless you live in the southern hemisphere, in which case temperatures will start warming and the leaves will sprout.
Either way, the end of the year is quickly approaching, and it is never too early to think about requalifying for elite status in your favourite frequent traveler program.
For airlines, why not start reading the Need Help w/ End of Year MR?? Click here! thread for tips on how to accomplish the goal of attaining elite status for next year?
Many different FlyerTalk forums — whether they are airline, hotel or car rental forums — have threads which give key advice and valuable information on how to attain elite status for next year while saving as much money as possible. For example, the A Challenge: The Least-Expensive Way to Get The Most MQMs? thread in the Delta forum reappears every year to help Delta Air Lines SkyMiles members acquire enough Medallion Qualification Miles to achieve SkyMiles Medallion status for the following year.
How does one find such threads that harbor valuable information? For starters, see if the forum has a “sticky” thread that contains links to such threads. Also, you can send a private message to one of the moderators of a specific forum and simply ask. Your friendly FlyerTalk moderator will be more than happy to assist you and point you in the right direction.
Posted by Canarsie at 11:59 AM