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November 30, 2006
Five FT Finds
An FTer birthday this week - wish Yada Yada happy birthday on December 4.
A FT Do in the next 30 days - enjoy french lingerie and "christmas market" (the mind boggles as to what that might be a codeword for) at SXB2 Do December 15-17
A FT Do in the next 3-6 months - psst be the first to learn about what is probably the first FT DO in one of the smallest countries in the world, San Marino Do March 23-25.
Something from the talking heads, err Talk Board - thank you to all the candidates to the recent elections who volunteered their time, and congratulations to the newest members of Talk Board - results here.
Something random - awake in a sweat about (re)qualifying before the end of the year? The Mileage Run forum may be of some help in getting there cheaply.
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 7:24 PM
Welcome
Welcome to the all new, improved, singing and dancing, Flyer Talk. Also a warm welcome to the latest in the FT blog collection The Gate.
A big thanks to the techies who brought FT back to life so fast, before us addicts had too bad withdrawal symptoms.
There are a whole heap of new features. You can find out more on this thread.
Now what does this button d
Posted by Kiwi Flyer at 10:19 AM
November 29, 2006
Life Without FlyerTalk
As I write this, the software that powers FlyerTalk is undergoing an upgrade that will hopefully allow FlyerTalk to be even better than ever.
FlyerTalk members are either sleeping in bed, twiddling their thumbs, working more productively than ever at their jobs, attempting to log onto FlyerTalk in the hopes that it will be back up and running sooner than expected or, most likely, doing what they do best: traveling and maximizing their earning and redeeming of points and miles.
While it certainly is possible to communicate with other FlyerTalk members via such methods as e-mail, telephone, chat and other Internet bulletin board web sites, it just is not the same without FlyerTalk. Did a "mistake fare" worthy of a posting in the Mileage Run forum just become available, only to disappear before FlyerTalk is accessible again? How many more days are there until that bonus miles promotion ends? Has a new offer just been announced about which you simply do not yet know?
There are a number of people that say that FlyerTalk is just another Internet bulletin board web site. That may be true for some, but not for me. I have made new friends - real friends that I have actually met with whom I keep in touch. I have traveled to destinations to which I may not have otherwise traveled were it not for FlyerTalk. In fact, many aspects of my life has changed for the better because of FlyerTalk. None of this is an exaggeration. To me, FlyerTalk is not just some Internet web site out there in "cyberspace". It is real, and that fact cannot be more evident than when one finds oneself meeting other FlyerTalk members in faraway lands, sharing travel stories at famous landmarks, discussing the latest strategies pertaining to earning and redeeming points and miles over dinner - all in real time, in person, face to face.
FlyerTalk now has enough members to populate a medium-sized city, and the membership continues to increase every day. The members of FlyerTalk do not fit the stereotype of an Internet bulletin board web site of a bunch of desperate "geeks" who sit around a computer day and night. FlyerTalk members are artists, lawyers, photographers, doctors, pilots, homemakers, engineers, truckers, executives, writers, entrepreneurs and people of other varied occupations who share the love of travel, points and miles. I find FlyerTalk members to be intelligent, opinionated, talented and informative, among other traits and qualities. FlyerTalk is a place which can truly enrich one's lifestyle, if one has the proper frame of mind. I speak from personal experience.
FlyerTalk members are astonished to learn that I admit to being more of an introvert. However, I am more of an extrovert when posting on FlyerTalk, as well as when I meet FlyerTalk members in person, to the point where I will go out of my way to introduce myself to a FlyerTalk member whom I have not yet met. I suppose it is because I gradually developed a comfort level to FlyerTalk. Of course, I still guard my personal life on FlyerTalk with as much privacy as possible. After all, it is the Internet where anyone can silently find out more about you if you let them. However, once I get to know a FlyerTalk member better in person, I become more relaxed and will divulge some personal information about myself.
Right now, there is no FlyerTalk. It does not exist, except buried on the hard disk drives of some computer servers somewhere in Colorado Springs. Thankfully, that will only last for a couple of days or so. For some FlyerTalk members, this temporary state of limbo is just that - temporary - and that is what gets them through the days without their FlyerTalk fix.
As of now, this "blog" is my only means of connecting to a vestige of FlyerTalk. Although I do miss logging onto FlyerTalk, at least its absence gave me a topic to post that was not about disgusting bodily functions, as that seems to be becoming the latest trend on some FlyerTalk threads for some unknown reason. However, while I am not able to access FlyerTalk, I am managing to get even more done than I usually do, as well as get some more sleep.
By the time you read this, FlyerTalk is most likely operating again, better than ever. I will see you there...
Posted by Canarsie at 8:30 PM
November 28, 2006
Fresh Vomit Left in Aircraft Seat: What Would You Do?
First, I posted an entry in this "blog" yesterday concerning diarrhea.
Now it is vomit's turn. How would you like to sit in a seat aboard an aircraft, only to experience that sinking feeling that you sat in fresh vomit?
FlyerTalk member drbond could not hold it in any longer: he throws up a story that he posted in the Fresh vomit left in seat, what should compensation be? thread pertaining to an experience a colleague had about sitting in an airplane seat with lingering fresh vomit on it.
For more details, as well as bigger chunks of this story, please read the Fresh vomit left in seat, what should compensation be? thread to see what comes up next.
Who knows what story or advice the next FlyerTalk member who posts in that thread will spew forth?
Posted by Canarsie at 5:24 PM
Have you ever had to flee a country?
I suppose the topic of this thread caught my attention because it affected me personally. No, I have never had to flee a country, but I was recently in Lebanon not long after Hezbollah battled with Israel. While it was quiet and I had a nice time while I was there, I could not help but think in the back of my mind that I was indeed in the Middle East and that fighting could erupt, even during the 36 hours that I was there.
Anyway, enough about me. For whatever reason, such as a conflict, a political uprising or a natural disaster, for example, Have you ever had to flee a country?
Posted by Canarsie at 1:47 AM
Limburger Cheese, Cod Liver Oil, Haggis, Pickled Chicken Feet, Tuna Casserole and Tripe.
Okay, I agree - those are not The six foods that will be served in heaven - at least, not to many of us.
I was just checking to see if you were still reading this blog.
See what other FlyerTalk members posted as to what they think will be The six foods that will be served in heaven.
Better yet, why not post what you think will be The six foods that will be served in heaven?
Posted by Canarsie at 1:09 AM
"I've had terrible diarrhea this entire trip."
Is that the most awkward comment that you have ever heard spewed forth from another passenger, or have you heard a comment than is even runnier?
If you have indeed heard even more awkward comments from other passengers than the example used here, dont hold it in. Please post it in the Most awkward comment by another PAX thread.
You will immediately feel quite relieved afterwards.
Posted by Canarsie at 12:58 AM
This is Simply Not My Bag.
No, I am not expressing my feelings about writing this blog, which I am more than happy to do. Rather, I am referring to FlyerTalk member JACKENSACK, who lost his bag, never reported it missing, was awakened several weeks later at 7:30 in the morning, only to find out later that he was given someone else's bag!
Find out more details about this bizarre story in the I have someone elses suitcase thread.
Posted by Canarsie at 12:28 AM