Programs: Various airline, hotel and credit card programs
Posts: 1,621
Would you give up Flyertalk?
Since my transition from AC/AE to free agency has been completed, I do not see that much value in spending numerous hours persuing various flyertalk forums. I am willing to admit that I gained lots of important information here over the years when I was chasing airline and hotel status. Also, then the task was easier. Now with all the enhancements in place, I book by price/schedule/convenience and that's it. Miles and status are not even secondary. Old habits are hard to break and I find that I still spend valuable time reading lots of stuff here. Perhaps I should spend it elsewhere? Anyone having similar thoughts?
I find much information that is useful even as a free agent.
Examples:
* Whether On My Way really works as advertised.
* AC terminal changes in far flung airports
* new AC routes
* cancelled AC routes
* price matching sales
There is also the bonus smugness one feels as one scans the thread titles expressing disappointment, dismay and disgust at AC/AE, knowing those thread no longer apply to oneself.
If you need to limit your screen time, by all means cut back on Flyertalk but there is a lot of info there for any flyer from/to Canada.
What give up? You never have it....(meaning addicted to).
Three types of people come here: (1) those who search for information, (2) those those love aviation/flying, and (3) those who are extremely bored.
Nothing wrong with either category, but none of them controls your daily life anyway.
And don't forget the trolls, yes the trolls, they are not bored but like to disturb the merde. Now getting back to Vaclav, no, FT is not only about AC, there is so much other type of information available.
__________________ I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . .
I find much information that is useful even as a free agent.
Examples:
* Whether On My Way really works as advertised.
* AC terminal changes in far flung airports
* new AC routes
* cancelled AC routes
* price matching sales
There is also the bonus smugness one feels as one scans the thread titles expressing disappointment, dismay and disgust at AC/AE, knowing those thread no longer apply to oneself.
If you need to limit your screen time, by all means cut back on Flyertalk but there is a lot of info there for any flyer from/to Canada.
- Decreasing IKK
- "Carrier administration" charges for int'l AP bookings
- R games
- Poor on-time performance
- How to get something different than 5% off when something goes wrong
My suggestion is to at least view the Mileage Run Deals thread when you are about to book your flights and see if there are any good deal out there. Those experts on that thread are amazing on finding low fare.
Nah, Ash Wednesday isn't for another 74 days... (You know you're a real liturgy geek when you realize you prefer Lent to Advent...)
Speaking Advent ... currently in Munich at the Advent MUC Do Flyertalk & Vielfliegertreff Advents Do 2012 - Munich, Germany which is the main reason I still frequent FT for the social aspect across borders. The organizers did a fabulous job along with LH putting together a behind the scenes MUC airport tour day and the Bavarian hospitality is as good as it gets !
When I joined FT, I agree with Vaclav and others that I learned a great deal which helped me enjoy upfront flying at a reasonable cost, plus I fall in the aviation enthusiast group as a pilot and history buff. As to too much time on my hands ... I do not find myself on FT nearly as much these days since the learning curve has leveled off. However, I still check in regularly ... just not spending the same amount of time. I am more selective in the posts I read trying to separate the facts from the fluff and avoid/ignore the trolls.
I have met some great fellow FTers over the years and enjoyed many aviation tours, activities, dinners and social times around this small world in large part to checking in on FT.
Next up, the SIN Do in January. IMHO, Fters from the GWN are significantly under represented at FT get togethers, although the SIN Do has an had more participants from the GWN recently.
If I were to become a free agent and/or reduce my flying miles, I expect I would continue to keep in touch with FT and the community.
When I first stumbled into FT, I soaked it up and what I learned has saved me a ton of money and/or made my flying adventures so much better. Me too, my learning curve is modest now, but it is about more than that. I now can contribute modestly... pay back time is one reason to continue participation not listed above.
... I now can contribute modestly... pay back time is one reason to continue participation not listed above.
Totally agree, an omission on my part in my post, about paying back which is something I try to do when I have the knowledge/experience to offer a meaningful assist.
