I thought the Travel Bloggers were on our side? Fees and Politics
#61
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Another anti-government-trying-to-protect-consumers rant that I let myself get sucked into:
http://boardingarea.com/viewfromthew...s-3-hour-rule/
Predictably, his readers disagree in the comments.
As one commenter points out, something tells me that if VFTW was on one of those 'only' 13 planes stuck on the tarmac for over 3 hours by Smisek and crew, the post would read very, very differently.
More to the point, though, it's bizarre that a points and travel blogger would take the airlines side against the government after the airline had tortured passengers. As I say in the comments:
Is VFTW putting his dogma over his customers/readers (again)?
http://boardingarea.com/viewfromthew...s-3-hour-rule/
Predictably, his readers disagree in the comments.
As one commenter points out, something tells me that if VFTW was on one of those 'only' 13 planes stuck on the tarmac for over 3 hours by Smisek and crew, the post would read very, very differently.
More to the point, though, it's bizarre that a points and travel blogger would take the airlines side against the government after the airline had tortured passengers. As I say in the comments:
Is VFTW putting his dogma over his customers/readers (again)?
http://boardingarea.com/thewandering...irlines-1-1mm/
I understand being against excess government regulation as a matter of principle - heck I'm also not in favor of any more gov't meddling that necessary. But I don't get VFTW taking the particular stance that he did on this one.
And as the comment you referenced noted, it's easy to be dismissive, not having been the one smooshed into a Devil's Chariot for 3 hours. Having twice been stuck on the ground in one of those for 1-2 hours, on a hot summer's day, it's a pretty miserable experience.
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,077
The issue is that Randy, Gary et al stopped fighting for their readers 100% of the time. I can't say what the percentage is, but back in the early days of Inside Flyer and Flyertalk, the powers that be would never have taken the airlines side in these issues.
#63
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,603
I noticed the same thing with Randy and Inside Flyer Magazine several years ago.
The issue is that Randy, Gary et al stopped fighting for their readers 100% of the time. I can't say what the percentage is, but back in the early days of Inside Flyer and Flyertalk, the powers that be would never have taken the airlines side in these issues.
The issue is that Randy, Gary et al stopped fighting for their readers 100% of the time. I can't say what the percentage is, but back in the early days of Inside Flyer and Flyertalk, the powers that be would never have taken the airlines side in these issues.
#64
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
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Posts: 102,095
Some in this game get something out of hob nobbing with airline execs. Like they listen to travel hackers for how to run their businesses?
Others have strong financial sponsorships from the big travel industry exec. Sometimes, those two overlap.
You can clearly see the difference in philosophies between the FTU and Chicago Seminars. One advertises the opportunity to meet and hob nob with airline execs. The other doesn't invite them nor look for their sponsorship dollars.
Please don't lump bloggers all in the same boat. There are very clear distinctions. Some of us still are in it to play the game.
Others have strong financial sponsorships from the big travel industry exec. Sometimes, those two overlap.
You can clearly see the difference in philosophies between the FTU and Chicago Seminars. One advertises the opportunity to meet and hob nob with airline execs. The other doesn't invite them nor look for their sponsorship dollars.
Please don't lump bloggers all in the same boat. There are very clear distinctions. Some of us still are in it to play the game.