aviators99

Location: Miami, FL
Experience: 3 years, 7 months

What is FlyerTalk to you?

Flyertalk is a place where I can share ideas with, and learn from my fellow nutcases...the frequent flyers. FlyerTalk has (literally) saved me thousands of dollars, and has taught me ways to make travel much more enjoyable and comfortable. Thanks to FlyerTalk, I am the "go to guy" when my friends need advice on all things travel and miles (is that a good thing or a bad thing?). I've made real-life friends on Flyertalk, and even conducted business because of it. FlyerTalk is my home page, and feels like home!

What has to change on FlyerTalk?

Not much, really. Most of my issues are technical in nature (problems with search and certain moderator function technical problems). Otherwise, as far as policy, I find FlyerTalk to be a well-oiled machine.

What do you like best about FlyerTalk?

The sense of community and willingness of others to help. If you have any questions about travel or points, you can probably find the answer by looking in existing forum threads. If not, someone can answer.

I'm also extremely pleased and impressed by the cross-section of people who contribute. There are people looking for work, blue-collar workers, white-collar workers, retirees, and enormously wealthy contributors. Only anecdotally does that ever become apparent, as most are just helpful and willing to learn.

State a platform motto or goals for FlyerTalk for the future.

I don't engage in politics, so I won't give a platform motto. I would like to see more employees of airlines/hotels/etc. engaged in discussions on FlyerTalk (see the next answer for an example). I would also like to see the technical issues resolved. Most importantly, my goal would be to make sure that the things that make FlyerTalk so extraordinary are not broken.

Name your three favorite forums and why.

My three favorite fora are:

1) TravelBuzz! - Because it's very ecletic, and it seems that every thread piques my interest.

2) Starwood Preferred Guest - This is the hotel chain where I bank my points. Most importantly, it is extremely well attended by SPG employees. FlyerTalk members are privy to information *way* before it is available to the general public.

3) Travel Safety/Security - I am very passionate about civil liberties, and am somewhat of an activist when it comes to these issues. The Travel Safety/Security forum keeps me up to date with what is going on with the TSA and Customs/Border Patrol. I take information I gain from there and share it with my government representatives. I also share my own experiences.