But I wonder also if there is something about those who are particularly into it and filling empty voids in their lives. Maybe status and points make up for not having a special relationship with a significant other? Maybe it makes up for not having many friends in real life, etc.?
It almost sounds like your question is unique to the frequent flyer world which of course would be absurd. You could ask this same question on any hobby-type board on any infinite number of pastimes. We all have our own "empty voids" as you call them (yes, even the OP) and we each decide for ourselves how to fill them. Hence hobbies and message boards...etc. And to try and make the assumption that an enthusiastic participant of these boards, or any other boards, is an automatic sign of some kind of deficiency in personal relationships is pretty ridiculous not to mention overly judgemental and very offensive. (By the way, if anyone has a cute, nice sister who loves to travel and who would like to go out with a guy who has lots of FF miles, please send her my way.) (You know where I can be found.) (heavy sigh)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by magiciansampras
Drinking is useful too, though.
And I don't think there is not necessarily wrong with having a hobby. This is a very expensive hobby. We're not talking about jogging or playing basketball here.
When you looks at the many thousands that people spend on other hobbies - mountain biking, hourse riding, classic cars, fine wine, etc, etc the occasional MR is much less expensive than that.
The only "void" that this hobby fills in me is the space between the armrests of a UA/AS F seat before I sit down in it
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And I don't think there is not necessarily wrong with having a hobby. This is a very expensive hobby. We're not talking about jogging or playing basketball here.
Well tell that to my uncle who had spent over 5 millions in pre-Columbian art over the last years
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brasov02
It almost sounds like your question is unique to the frequent flyer world which of course would be absurd. You could ask this same question on any hobby-type board on any infinite number of pastimes. We all have our own "empty voids" as you call them (yes, even the OP) and we each decide for ourselves how to fill them. Hence hobbies and message boards...etc. And to try and make the assumption that an enthusiastic participant of these boards, or any other boards, is an automatic sign of some kind of deficiency in personal relationships is pretty ridiculous not to mention overly judgemental and very offensive. (By the way, if anyone has a cute, nice sister who loves to travel and who would like to go out with a guy who has lots of FF miles, please send her my way.) (You know where I can be found.) (heavy sigh)
Hmmm. It strikes me that you're taking this a little personally.
And to try and make the assumption that an enthusiastic participant of these boards, or any other boards, is an automatic sign of some kind of deficiency in personal relationships is pretty ridiculous not to mention overly judgemental and very offensive.
I don't think that the OP sugests that with over 25.000 posts
(By the way, if anyone has a cute, nice sister who loves to travel and who would like to go out with a guy who has lots of FF miles, please send her my way.) (You know where I can be found.) (heavy sigh)
Is this the relationship void postulate suggested by the O/P?
Quote:
Originally Posted by brasov02 View Post
It almost sounds like your question is unique to the frequent flyer world which of course would be absurd. You could ask this same question on any hobby-type board on any infinite number of pastimes. We all have our own "empty voids" as you call them (yes, even the OP) and we each decide for ourselves how to fill them. Hence hobbies and message boards...etc. And to try and make the assumption that an enthusiastic participant of these boards, or any other boards, is an automatic sign of some kind of deficiency in personal relationships is pretty ridiculous not to mention overly judgemental and very offensive. (By the way, if anyone has a cute, nice sister who loves to travel and who would like to go out with a guy who has lots of FF miles, please send her my way.) (You know where I can be found.) (heavy sigh)
Quote:
Originally Posted by magiciansampras
Hmmm. It strikes me that you're taking this a little personally.
Hmmm. It strikes me that someone is missing the irony. A little too subtle I guess.
Quote:
Originally Posted by brasov02 View Post
(By the way, if anyone has a cute, nice sister who loves to travel and who would like to go out with a guy who has lots of FF miles, please send her my way.) (You know where I can be found.) (heavy sigh)
Quote:
Originally Posted by nerd
Is this the relationship void postulate suggested by the O/P?
Ya think?
Again, the irony here seems to be flying (excuse the pun) over some people's heads here. I guess I'll try and be a little more obvious in the future.
are you saying people take flights to get miles purely to get the miles? that it is sometimes cheaper and more fun to fly the routes than it is to just buy the miles?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by magiciansampras
Put simply, do you think there is a link between miles and status mania and either emptiness in one's life or psychological disorder?
As a trained psychologist, I can safely say, "Sometimes".
I'm 100% certain that this hobby can become a dangerous habit for some people, but not everyone. For those with severe OCD or other obsessive tendencies, I'm sure it is a kink in their chain, but with them it's possible to obsess about anything, this is just another vice to them. My rule, if it's not hurting you, then it's not a bad thing to be doing. Being obsessive about something isn't necessarily reflective of a disorder - it's only if you're not able to lead your day-to-day life because of the amount of time and resources it is taking out of you.
I do everything in moderation, so I'm safe. But, if anyone out there would sacrifice the quality of their marriage, money that they do not have, or become depressed or suicidal because their mileage run didn't go as planned, then of course they should probably tune it down a bit and seek help.
In other words, it's just another thing for an obsessive person to obsess about. It could easily be gambling, coupon-cutting, or eating. Different strokes for different folks.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brasov02
(By the way, if anyone has a cute, nice sister who loves to travel and who would like to go out with a guy who has lots of FF miles, please send her my way.) (You know where I can be found.) (heavy sigh)
Ditto.....
Realistically, I'm sure my non-stop travelling and MR-ing isn't conducive to a relationship, which is why I remain single - no girls I've met are footloose enough to just lay back and relax and not worry about life like I am, exploring the world and being on the road for about 180 days per year. They see heavy travelling as "irresponsible" and not ideal for starting a family - which is the last thing I want to do right now. I wish there were more vagabond females out there.....they are indeed a rarity.
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