MilesBuzz! - What's In/What's Out for frequent flyers 2001/2002

It seems that around this time every year that every magazine and newspaper publishes a list of what's in/what's out for the new year. Well, rather than have someone tell us, I thought we'd tell them what's in/what's out for frequent flyers in 2002.

What's in: mileage runs
What's out: shopping for miles

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Randy Petersen:
It seems that around this time every year that every magazine and newspaper publishes a list of what's in/what's out for the new year. Well, rather than have someone tell us, I thought we'd tell them what's in/what's out for frequent flyers in 2002.

What's in: mileage runs
What's out: shopping for miles</font>

What's in: arriving at the airport 2 hours early
What's out: arriving at the gate 10 minutes before takeoff

in: top tier for 2002 without having to fly (AA, UA, etc.)
out: Mileage runs (because of complimentary top tier prolongation for 2002: UA, AA, etc.)

i agree w/ rudi on in. mi runs may be needed for 2003 status.

Take one look at recent airline load factors and I think it's obvious:

In: Discount airlines (regardless of FF programs)
Out: FF programs

In: Clearer wait areas at the gates thanks to new security
Out: Short nails and clean shaven thanks to the same new security

In: clear path from the jetway upon de-planing b/c groups of people can no longer crowd the gate as they can't pass thru security without a ticket.. I love this

Out: Sat night stay requirements

In: strategies to avoid "random" gate searches

Out: Any form of metal on your body at the security checkpoint

In: Buying cheap fares as airlines cut each other's throats (Cheap fare + $100 change fee is still cheaper than usual fare)

Out: Parties and get-togethers at the airport club - no tickee no clubee

In: Security lines for status flyers
Out: In-flight meals

In: On-time departures

Out: Full planes

In: Midday/afternoon flights

Out: Early flights, especially out of hubs

In: Making status in order to use "preferred" security line

Out: Being the first in line to board

In: RJs

Out: 727s

In: Shuttle planes on non-Shuttle routes

Out: Shuttles

In: Airport food courts

Out: Inflight meals

In: Flying WN

Out: Differentiating your inflight service from WN's

Out: Going to Asia on business

In: Going to Asia on a mileage run

In - Looking like a poor shlump no security person would want to touch.

Out - Dressing up, looking well-to-do, just the type an underpaid, felonious security person would love to see jump through some hoops.

Out: Flying, FFPs
In: Chatting about Flying/FFPs.

[This message has been edited by PG (edited 12-17-2001).]

In: Unemployment checks pay for little travel

Out: Tons of business travel

In:Elite security lines for VFFs,on-time departures, driving and teleconferencing instead of regional air travel.

Out: Sitting in your seat like a good little sheeple, being able to make changes to a flight on less than half a day's notice. Meeting non-ticketed friends/colleagues at the airline club.

JD

IN: A serious re-think by major US carriers about in-flight service in premium cabins, domestic and international

OUT: The convenience and pure pleasure of mileage-run travel

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- Bob

In: Purposefully packing adult novelty toys and inflatables in your carryon, for "Random Search Entertainment Value." http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Out: Corkscrews. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

In: Checking in luggage to avoid public security scrutiny of my lingerie.

Out: Carry-on luggage.

[This message has been edited by Analise (edited 12-17-2001).]

In Arriving from 14 hour flights with a serious bit of beard growth that remains unshaven.

Out Buying my little metal airplane miniatures with their blade like wings at the museum shop in NRT prior to departure.

In: Guys in fatigues carrying machine guns at the airports.

Out: The refreshing lack of guys in fatigues carrying machine guns at the airports when you return to the U.S. from the Third World.

In: Cheeseburgers in First Class (if the flight is long and lucky enough to be catered at all).

Out: City Ticket Offices.

In - Collapse of at least one major US airline

Out - The old days of service, care and consideration for the traveller by the airlines.

Out: Argenbright

In: (did I mention Argenbright was out?)

IN: Enjoying Bkk Mariooot right now.

Out: Shopping and doging hurried shoppers in CALif.

I: JW MARRIOTT resort tomorrow and enjoying the brand rooms.

Out: eating balnd food in Calif..

delete

OUT: Going to the restroom half an hour before landing in D.C.

IN: Finding a creative solution for the problem above!

OUT: 70 year-old screening persons that can't see 2 feet ahead checking the screening machines.

IN: 20 year-old soldiers with M-16s that do the same poor job, supposed to make everybody feel safe but eventually make you feel miserable.

OUT: Screening machines that are supposed to detect heavy metals.

IN: Screening machines that detect the silver feeling in your teeth!
(One time I took off my belt, shoes, emptied my pockets, took off my glasses and the D#!% thing still beeped)

In: groping

Out: underwire bras

In: Sleeping across 3 coach class seats on overseas flights.

Out: Buying tickets on Expedia or Travelocity

What's out: bashing airlines at the airport and on the phone

What's in: bashing airlines on FlyerTalk!

SteveH

In: fly despite 9/11

Out: fear of flying

In: Attending lots of Flyer Talk Parties http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Out: Bickering on FT http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

In: Gold Rewards

Out: ClickRewards

in Time outs/banishments for some FTposters
out Some FT posters who got timeouts/banishments

I'm not very optimistic about the new year:

In: Additional fees for doing absolutely anything (ticketing, changing, redeeming miles/points, upgrading, etc)

Out: America West, USAir and United as viable entities along with their respective FF programs

In: Taxes on airline tickets

Out: Runway expansions that were supposed to be paid for with airline ticket taxes

In: Southwest

Out: Status - everyone will be giving it away to retain passengers

IN: The great info I learned on FT and getting my PLAT card =&gt; Checking in w/ gruop 1.

Out: watching all the people getting on the plane before me wondering how they do it.

IN: A lot more consideration of fellow traveller.

OUT: Air Rage -- at least for 99.9999% of folks.

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TANSTAAFL - but if you work it right, FF miles comes pretty close.

In flying responsibly

Out causing trouble

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

In: Promotions targeted at full fare passengers
Out: Freebies just for having elite status http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
In: FT get togethers
Out: Explaining to friends/family why you absolutely cannot take a direct flight from A to B

[This message has been edited by Mizu (edited 12-18-2001).]