Mileage Run Deals - What Do You Tell Your Seatmates?

Being relatively new to the concept of multi-segment mileage runs, I recently felt a strong aversion to striking up a conversation with my seatmate in the cramped economy cabin, despite her apparent interest in doing so. Why? Well, I was on Segment 5 of 7 in a crazy north, south, west traverse across the country and was a little tired. What fake story would I make up this time to avoid describing the true nature of my trip?

Fellow mileage runners, how do you handle this bind? Play mute, tell the truth and **** the assessments, or have a ready story line about visiting Aunt Millie at the last transfer point, and returning to your dacha near the next transfer point? Remember, it helps to know local circumstances if your seatmate demonstrates familiarity with either strange city.

Why would you want to hide the fact that you're on a mileage run?

I've personally found that flight crews, fellow passengers, and even customs/immigration officials are amused by the idea of a mileage run. They might look at you as if you were nuts, but it's usually an icebreaker for conversations.

After a series of long and uninspiring business meetings, I would rather talk with a real person for a change. Who can be better than my seatmate? So, Explore, how exactly do you get your seatmate to strike up a conversation with you? ;-)

yeah, why not have some fun with your single serving friend?

Since I couldn't possibly care less why my seatmates are flying, I usually assume the same about them. I'd rather talk about weightier subjects than why either of us is sitting on the airplane.

You actually want to talk to them?? OK, sometimes you might get lucky and have some interesting person to speak to, but not that often.

Either tell the truth or see what kind of stinking lies you can get them to believe, like... "I am doing a study on long term air travel to determine what ill effects it causes to bodily functions", That would really shut me up if I sat next to you. I'd actually be looking for another empty seat somewhere. Hey, maybe that is a great idea we could use to drive other passengers out of the prized seat next to us, thus obtaining the glorious space you crave while on a mileage run. Ya that's the ticket.

This is how most of my explanations go:

blah blah blah

Me: Yes, I'm doing a mileage run - flying just for the miles.

Seatmate: What?! Why would you do that?

Me: Because I need those extra miles for a free trip to Hawaii (or something).

Seatmate: Well, you must have a lot of money to be doing this.

Me: No, because this ticket only cost [some low amount] and then I upgraded with 500-milers.

Seatmate: Oh! *guilty-of-overpaying silence*
Well, it does sound like a bargain so best of luck to ya.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Yoosh:
After a series of long and uninspiring business meetings, I would rather talk with a real person for a change. Who can be better than my seatmate? So, Explore, how exactly do you get your seatmate to strike up a conversation with you? ;-)</font>

The seatmate looked like she was on her way to a series of long and uninspiring business meetings, or sales calls, and I was an itinerant wanderer on a packed all-business Monday morning flight. My companion looked like she wanted about 60 seconds of idle chatter. So the mute routine felt best.

As to how Mr. Manners might encourage a conversation with a businesswoman: a relaxed caring comment and smile, just out of courtesy, can often break down business defenses. That's no problem, it's the continued conversation that takes some thought, given that madness is frequently not accepted in society. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by Explore (edited 03-25-2002).]

i've gotten in the habit of carrying my portable dvd player and bose headsets even on short flights. my friend burns seinfeld episodes for me. so, i rarely talk to my seatmates.

I'm always educating seatmates and airline staff about mileage runs and they invariably wind up sitting with their mouths hanging open. Sometimes this gets me nice airline goodies, but almost always gets me a new friend. Flying can be fun if you want it to be! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif