Search is slow... but let me describe some examples of where I helped other members.
The current 2006 Secret Santa thread. I am again coordinating (Have you signed up yet?) this event. It has meant much to many members over the years and this should probably count for five all by itself. The notes I receive from members after that experience are heart warming.
I have upgraded many members for free on United with free CR1s and SWU. In fact, one candidate for the Talkboard was a receipent of my generosity. I have never required anything in return.
I have helped members on a personal level that never shows up on a forum because of the private nature.
I do not believe you have to be public about what you do for it to count... it is often the unpublished assistance that is most powerful and a sign of a strong community.
Programs: AA EXP/3MM, UA 1P, Hyatt DIA, SPG PLT, 2.5 time FT Fantasy Football champ and FT general member.
Posts: 10,743
I will return to this thread later when I can more accurately search for the five that are most representative of my contributions - but I've done everything from help with DFW advice (from airport information to restaurant recommendations in the area) to provide contacts for tailors and shoemakers to help plan DOs. I've even got a few "referrals" for new members on my profile - I'm always writing the FlyerTalk web address down for folks I talk to on airplanes!
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TMOliver:I consider Camp Bowie to rank among the world's best streets.It ain't the Ramblas or 5th Ave, but will do for me.
The search is quite slow and inefficient, so let me say I'll search when I have more than a few moments to spend on this. In otherwords, I reserve the right to revise my remarks
My travel contributions are mainly in NW airlines threads along with some reviews of Marriott properties I've stayed in and some pithy advice I've given in TravelBuzz. I am starting to participate more in Travel Technology, now that I added it to my subscribed list. I'm of the opinion that, except on OMNI, I only give advice when I know it to be good (or correct) advice.
I'll be back with some specific threads when I have the time.
__________________ I'm a member of TalkBoard. Please send me a PM with any suggestions.
Like techgirl, I too have 5 referrals - although I'm curious if there's a way we can determine exactly who there are. In the past, I've given my username out to people that I've met on flights while doing mileage runs - but sometimes I don't.
Just yesterday, flying from YYZ-ORD, I was in 1A & the guys in 2A & 2B behind me were having a conversation about how one of his coworkers switched hotels different times during their business trip to get stay credits and about how some people take trips just to earn the status miles. Upon overhearing this conversation, I had to turn around & ask them if they ever heard of FlyerTalk. They had not - I told them all about the website & I do hope they joined.
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Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of faces if you look at them right.
Search is slow, however I can point out several categories that come to mind, where I feel that over the years I have contributed greatly to FT and its members:
The original SaveSkyMiles movement. I was one of the founders of SSM1, which was the first "grassroots" FT movement against a FFP program which changed. At the time there were naysayers on other boards who thought that we were a bit crazy and that we were not accomplishing much. Truth be told, not only were we mildly successful with SSM1, but SSM2 was so successful that IT WAS the impetus to make Delta rollback many of its changes - it was a huge campaign and by the time it rolled around we had support of members from other airlines and it has been the model for other "activist" results against other carriers that changed their rules.
While sometimes I feel that it has been exasperating I have been trying for years to help and explain to members about what the rules are regarding infant and child travel INTERNATIONALLY among different carriers. Unfortunately many peoples experiences are either of domestic US or limited long haul int'l flying. I have had a lot of experience in this area and have been constantly trying to help people out and often correcting wrong advice.
Passports and visas, again this is a subject that I have a lot of knowledge on, historically and practically, and an area where there has been much misinformation posted on FT, I have been an active poster on this subject and try to help people and correct wrong information as often as I can.
Turkey. Over the years I have helped countless people with their Turkey travels (airlines, Istanbul airport, hotels, internal travel) through the boards.
The original SaveSkyMiles movement. I was one of the founders of SSM1, which was the first "grassroots" FT movement against a FFP program which changed.
In answer to another question, I said that while hfly and I seem to have very different opinions in regards to TalkBoard's role, he is someone I respect highly.
One of the major reasons for that was the SaveSkyMiles movement.
While Delta FFs worldwide were sitting at home silently bemoaning the damage that then-Delta CEO Leo Mullin had done to the SkyMiles program, a few were doing something about it.
Among the leadership of the SSM Movement were hfly, bdschobel, rssrsvp, eyeflydoc, and Mikey1003.
This not only failed to make them Mullin's favorite passengers but also put them under fire from a number of posters on the Delta Forum -- but they stayed the course.
They also put their money where their mouth is -- and if I recall correctly, Randy Petersen did likewise -- organized demonstrations, took out newspaper ads, and opened a site called www.saveskymiles.com.
That site, in fact, was how I learned about FlyerTalk. When I Googled "SkyMiles" I was directed to the site and from there linked to FlyerTalk.
The first F/T post I ever made (linked to in my answer above) was # 177 in a thread about a meeting that SSM leaders had with Delta.
So while hfly can rightly claim credit for helping to establish this remarkable consumer movement he has to share blame for its one disastrous side effect -- bringing me to FlyerTalk.
OMNI -- I am trying to convert as many coffee drinkers I know to a super-automatic machine -- perfect for those who work at home when not traveling. Mine's from Capresso:
I'm a member of 
