Trip Reports - DING DING! What makes a GREAT Trip Report?

Is there a place on FT for a few tips on making a catchy, succinct, entertaining report?
[Mods, I understand this isn't the best place for this; can you advise if you have a preference for TR-related Q&A?]

How do you guys do it?
Please note what you think is the essence of a great trip report.



Catchy title
Novelty
drama
Suspense
Black or blue comedy
Upgrades, compensation or free Krug
Spotting & talking to other FTers
Great personalities met along the way
Wow pics
Being the first to report on a special MR or error fare
Monster mileage run
Making a career out of flying (between meetings, of course) ... You know who I mean!
Great saves, comebacks and triumphs against the odds
Wit
? ? ? :confused: ? ? ?

I like the wide variety of trip reports we get here in the Trip Reports forum.

Some are long.
Some are short.
Some involve Krug.
Some involve Korbel.
Some have pictures.
Some do not.
Some are funny.
Some are not.

Everything on your list sounds good to me. But I wouldn't try and define any one type or component of a report as being greater than any other.

I enjoy reading many trip reports. However, some are really, really long. Granted, different people have different interests and some are interested in minute details, e.g. every single river and mountain flown over, every little scratch on the carpet, etc., but perhaps one way to satisfy differences in level and topics of interest would be to organize the report into chronological, major topics and label every paragraph accordingly, making it easier for the reader to focus on the paragraphs/items of interest to them.

Also, I've seen reports with way too many pictures. A picture is usually worth a thousand words, but five pictures of the same tea cup and saucer in different angles and zoom level are just four pictures too many! And repeating this for the menu, the blue sky and clouds, the runway, the other planes on the runway, the seat, back of seat, front of seat, the amenity kit... makes for a lot of unnecessary scrolling and wasted bandwidth!

If you want to know what I think makes (is) a GREAT trip report look here:


http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=804000

And this one which had me wetting my pants

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=694700

Jeff

IMO there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to do a TR. Everyone has a different style, and personally I find it hard to pinpoint what is it about a certain TR that I like or dislike. I do however like pictures (though I can see the point about overkill) and make it a point to throw in a few pics of what I reckon are essential to illustrating various things I'm describing in my own TRs.

Some TRs make for great, frivolous reading (I especially love the funny ones and always wish I could be half as humourous in my writing style) over a soy latte or a cold one - others not so but might come in very helpful at some stage when I utilise the search function to shed some light on a particular product. So all good. :)

Its very hard to say what makes a good trip report, some people, like Seat2A, seem to have natural writing abilities, for the rest of us mere mortals its a lot more difficult.
A good trip report is one that inspires me and makes me want to do something similar to the report. It will give you ideas and tips for things that perhaps you hadnt thought about.
Pictures are not important.
I think that if you can get a feeling that the writer is enjoying themselves, that makes for a good report.
Some people like a lot of detail, some do not.
Perhaps TEX277 summed it up well when he said that he writes the reports so the bring back memories for him, if he enjoys them the chances are that we will too.
What we dont want is for the reports to become formulaic, different styles make for interesting reading. Some people have a natural flair for amusing writing whilst others do not. Both styles work for me.
I do like reading a trip report in progress, such as Seat2A is doing at the moment, it builds up the suspense and keeps you looking.
I think over the years we have had some great reports, so lets leave people to their natural styles

I've now written a fair few, from the mundane to the excitement of going nearer the nose-cone, to being shoved right to the back of it.

I try and write a Trip report "as fairly as possible" (although I freely admit my last one was filled with an amount a fair bit of grr).

I throw in a fair amount of pictures normally as I'm a geek and like pictures of planes, food and pretty things out of the window (yes isle seat people, the thing which lets light in).

Its a memory of the journey, and the lasting impression of it.

When I see others trip reports, I like to see objective and balanced viewpoints. I also love the "details".

Mine are sometimes viewed with wonder (I have this habit of turning right and heading towards the darker rows towards the back, so when i go even slightly nearer the front I try to write about the experience).

I also use my reports to look at the service and if its a route I frequent, comment on the improvements or drops in it.

Its really what you make it, and how you want to put them.

I really enjoy Moomba's, Raffles's, Kiwi Flyers's and lucky9876coins 's reports... just wetting my appetite for that lovely long haul redemption that might soon be mine!!!

Personally I prefer the TR's that I read to the ones I write. Mine are generally ramblings and musings on life hidden under a veneer of a TR - not much in the way of fact and often too much in the way of unrelated chatter.

I like to read simple TRs that talk about the experience and give me some insight to places and airlines that I might try and experience in the future - or perhaps not experience...

This is one for the ages:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182481

-C

I think there are basically two kinds of trip report:

1) The informational. Rather detailed but mostly dry, objective and to the point. Useful but usually not particularly entertaining. I'd put my last TR (the one on Mihin Lanka) in this category and say that, even if people have complimented me on it and I will agree it was a decent TR, nobody really had any fun reading it.

2) The fun/tale/novel-like. Subjective, personal and possibly lacking in detail (or overemphasising some details and totally ignoring others). Perhaps not very useful when you want to choose a carrier over another or know whether your favourite drink is served in the lounge, but interesting and often entertaining reading. Goldflyer's epic report is the archetypal example of this category.

Obviously, to make matters more complicated, there are a lot of reports that are a fusion of the two kinds. If you wanted to find an "objective" measure for what constitutes a "great report", you would have to combine the two...
But, at the end of the day, it's in the eye of the beholder. Depending on YOUR mood, a great TR may be the one that saves you from the grilled cockroaches in the business class meal or the one that makes you laugh for hours, or one that does both...

At the risk of plugging something that I once wrote in a trip report (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=697643), I sum up my philosophy on this subject as....

"I find trip report writing to be quite therapeutic. What better way to mitigate the anxieties and hassles of life on the road than to share them with others who feel the same way."

The good Trip Reports are the ones that the reader can identify with - either with a "hey, that sounds like me" or a "wow, I wish that was me" or a "dang, I'm glad that's not me" reaction. The greatest ones package all three of those into a single post.

How exactly the author reaches that point though depends on their own motives for writing the report and their own skills at communicating. Sometimes one needs to share just a little bit more than the reader is expecting to read in order to create the personal connection. Its an art form and every person has their own tastes and skills.

The beauty of this forum (and the true joy I get from being the moderator here) lies in the sheer variety of viewpoints and experiences that are shared here. There is truly a lifetime full of highlights documented on these pages and we are priviledged to have the various authors share these with us.

Couldn't have said it better myself, so I won't even try!

From someone who has never written up a TR, I have a question:

How do people get such detailed info about their meals? Are they scribbling madly on a piece of paper with menu in hand? Are they somehow typing on a laptop despite having their table in front of them full of a meal? Are they taking photos of the menu so they can go back and type it up later?

I'm just amazed at the detail of the meal descriptions in some TRs (especially the ones in F with lots of choices) and I don't understand how they manage to get all this information down and still have time to actually enjoy their time flying.

From someone who has never written up a TR, I have a question:

How do people get such detailed info about their meals? Are they scribbling madly on a piece of paper with menu in hand? Are they somehow typing on a laptop despite having their table in front of them full of a meal? Are they taking photos of the menu so they can go back and type it up later?

I'm just amazed at the detail of the meal descriptions in some TRs (especially the ones in F with lots of choices) and I don't understand how they manage to get all this information down and still have time to actually enjoy their time flying.

Thats easy to answer. Simply take the menu off the plane with you.

Thats easy to answer. Simply take the menu off the plane with you.

Well now don't I just feel stupid. @:-)

Dumb etiquette question: when the the cabin is dark and you take the meal photos, do you get complaints from other PAX about the camera flash disturbing them? Dirty looks?

Reason I ask is that I have a RT from DCA via LHR to SYD (stop in HKG outbound and SIN on the return) and I'm thinking about trying to write my first TR but I'm worried about the flash disturbing the other F PAX.

Dumb etiquette question: when the the cabin is dark and you take the meal photos, do you get complaints from other PAX about the camera flash disturbing them? Dirty looks?

Reason I ask is that I have a RT from DCA via LHR to SYD (stop in HKG outbound and SIN on the return) and I'm thinking about trying to write my first TR but I'm worried about the flash disturbing the other F PAX.

I try to avoid using flash on airplanes just out of respect for other passengers. I usually just turn on my individual reading light and the pictures work out fine.

I try to avoid using flash on airplanes just out of respect for other passengers. I usually just turn on my individual reading light and the pictures work out fine.

Exactly. I've taken hundreds of airline meal photos and have never had to use the flash. Then again, I'm usually photographing First or Business Class meals where the available lighting may be better than back in Economy. So, depending upon what class you're traveling, you may not have a problem.

Basically, if you have to use a flash, don't.

Best not to flash other customers, regardless of your seating position.

That's the great thing about digital cameras - try to set it to take a pic indoors without flash and if it is too dark adjust settings and try again!

Not knowing squat about photography....I am having reasonable success with a "Museum" setting on the camera..

Wouldn't dare use a flash.....:eek:

I have to say, while a little different, this TR thread (http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=801118&highlight=) rates as one of my favourites. :D

I tried a search but couldn't find the funniest TR ever. It was written by an Australian guy who went to Japan and peppered his TR with some very colorful Aussie expressions. Can anyone find it?

I actually enjoy both the funny TR's like that one and the very detailed ones on flights, hotels, whatever-- those are the TR's that help me make decisions and help spawn a daydream when I'm feeling bored at the office.

Search TR forum by descending view count gives

SYD to LHR on a plane (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182481), which may be the one your refer to (despite the Japan reference)?

Search TR forum by descending view count gives

SYD to LHR on a plane (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182481), which may be the one your refer to (despite the Japan reference)?

No, that's not it. That's a good one, and I'm reading through it now. IIRC, the one I'm thinking of had a young guy who flew in Y, and I'm pretty sure it was from somewhere Down Under to Japan, perhaps Osaka. I've tried about a dozen searches for it, but I can't find it. I'll post a link if I do.

What makes a great TR?

1. Absolutely, under no circumstances, must Economy travel be written up - unless the traveller paid for premium class and got involuntarily downgraded.
No one cares to read about what it's like to travel in WHY.

2. Menus, aircraft type, seat assignment and characterization of the cabin and seat must be provided, with pictures if at all possible.

3. A full description of the experience - including specific behaviours of check-in agents, lounge personnel, ground services and flight attendants should be included - how did these people interact with the traveller and validate his/her premium service experience? Or fail to do so?

4. Pictures of all catering - the presentation and quality of the food and beverage should be fully described. How well were the traveller's appetites sated?

5. Preferably, contextualize the premium experience. How much better was F than C?

6. Justify the ride - state fare paid. How did the value recieved compare to the price?

7. Intent to purchase again - would you pay for the experience next time, or select another carrier?

8. Annoyances and distractions - please describe detrimental factors such as noticeable NRSAs in the premium cabin, nasty F/A attitudes, presence of self-proclaimed upgraders, etc.

What makes a great TR?

1. Absolutely, under no circumstances, must Economy travel be written up - unless the traveller paid for premium class and got involuntarily downgraded.
No one cares to read about what it's like to travel in WHY.

2. Menus, aircraft type, seat assignment and characterization of the cabin and seat must be provided, with pictures if at all possible.

3. A full description of the experience - including specific behaviours of check-in agents, lounge personnel, ground services and flight attendants should be included - how did these people interact with the traveller and validate his/her premium service experience? Or fail to do so?

4. Pictures of all catering - the presentation and quality of the food and beverage should be fully described. How well were the traveller's appetites sated?

5. Preferably, contextualize the premium experience. How much better was F than C?

6. Justify the ride - state fare paid. How did the value recieved compare to the price?

7. Intent to purchase again - would you pay for the experience next time, or select another carrier?

8. Annoyances and distractions - please describe detrimental factors such as noticeable NRSAs in the premium cabin, nasty F/A attitudes, presence of self-proclaimed upgraders, etc.

Not that you've given the matter any thought...

Best not to flash other customers, regardless of your seating position.

Yes, I'm thinking about giving a TR a try myself, on an upcoming RTW on AA, BA and CX. I'll certainly put extra effort into not flashing other pax.

1. Absolutely, under no circumstances, must Economy travel be written up - unless...involuntarily downgraded.
No one cares ...travel in WHY.

2. Menus, aircraft type, seat assignment and characterization of the cabin and seat ...with pictures...

3. A full description of the experience - including specific behaviours of check-in agents, lounge personnel, ground services and flight attendants ...premium service experience? Or fail to do so?

4. Pictures of all catering

5. Preferably, contextualize the premium experience. How much better was F than C?

6. Justify the ride - state fare paid. How did the value recieved compare to the price?

7. Intent to purchase again - would you pay for the experience next time, or select another carrier?

8. Annoyances and distractions - please describe detrimental factors such as noticeable NRSAs in the premium cabin, nasty F/A attitudes, presence of self-proclaimed upgraders, etc.

I will take most of these seriously - thanks to our legendary Trip Reporters and our many contributors to some amazing reports.

My report will be posted soon. It was a mixture of classes and fares and airlines.

I will primarily relate my own experiences but also my partner's.
She is not a good flyer, although she loves travel.

I'll include your points (would have anyway, but must include the LCC horror! As warning not to be enticed by sales!)

I have to relate the horror of our recent trip.
As a contrast to the enjoyable experience in F and C seats, you must read the horror of JetStar LCC travel!
(Just to remind friends here - I am an idiot for booking this LCC to get us to our MR fare!)

A report for all the senses.

Coming soon.

There was great hilarity in the night on the premium sector of our trip.

Things that go bump in the night!

What makes a great TR?

1. Absolutely, under no circumstances, must Economy travel be written up - unless the traveller paid for premium class and got involuntarily downgraded.
No one cares to read about what it's like to travel in WHY.

2. Menus, aircraft type, seat assignment and characterization of the cabin and seat must be provided, with pictures if at all possible.

3. A full description of the experience - including specific behaviours of check-in agents, lounge personnel, ground services and flight attendants should be included - how did these people interact with the traveller and validate his/her premium service experience? Or fail to do so?

4. Pictures of all catering - the presentation and quality of the food and beverage should be fully described. How well were the traveller's appetites sated?

5. Preferably, contextualize the premium experience. How much better was F than C?

6. Justify the ride - state fare paid. How did the value recieved compare to the price?

7. Intent to purchase again - would you pay for the experience next time, or select another carrier?

8. Annoyances and distractions - please describe detrimental factors such as noticeable NRSAs in the premium cabin, nasty F/A attitudes, presence of self-proclaimed upgraders, etc.

I'm much more interested what activities/dining the traveler actually experienced at their destination, so the above generally makes a very boring trip report IMO. I also don't feel Y is written up enough, the experience between carriers is as great as in C or F.

I do research for all our trips on sites specific to the area we are traveling. It might start (1) with airlines flying into an airport and out of one near me. Picking an airline that I have points on or one that provides good pricing. This may require some questions on FT about that airline, if I am unfamilar with it (starting with search and reading recent postings). Then I (2) check to see if there are hotels that I might have points I can use, or brands I am willing to pay for. Finally, I (3) bing or google "city name attractions" to see what activities interest us that are available. This third step helps suggest the time we will spend on the trip (we are retired).

I read trip reports to gather information over a broad range of "items" aimed at a particular area or destination. With the data outlined, the activities chosen, and the length of stay chosen, I start looking for the missing. These thing I often will pose of the appropriate board in FT.

I write trip reports trying to provide similar destination information as to specific options chosen for flights, lodging, dining, attractions. I try to be more detailed where the information maybe a bit off average, leaving the reader to assume average, elsewise. I also try to post summary of harder to find data. Without "post overload", I also will answer questions that I posed on FT, that were not answered, but I subsequently found out. This gives the "record" a completeness for those "searching" later. I also post if there is a mixed review, giving my recent experience.

My reports are long, but I do try to make them easy to scan. My wife handles all the pictures. They are posted to a site that allows a "slide show" format. They are posted in order of our trip, match the order of my write up and have captions. Either the write up or the pictures can be viewed independently, based on what "you" are looking for.

Most of our trips are 3 weeks or so, and are not very business travel oriented. When we were doing our business travel, we answered question posed on specific airlines, hotels, dining options, clubs and frequent point generation, but did not do trip reports.

A few of our TRs can be found by searching "ranles". Only some of them come up, so I guess that the rest are archived or ?

In sumary, TR posting is all about what the poster does, and what that person wants to share. I try to inform, others amuse while many have other motivations or goals.

Our typical trip requires 250 hours of prework and about 1/2 that amount of time to organize, write-up, sort, improve, select, title and post. Driving trips with multiple states, hotels, etc. take more. I hope that time serves others well.