So here we are... number 1000.

At this time last year, I was a hopeless drone with little knowledge of the ins and outs of flying, status, or most anything else flyer related (even tho i still knew more than the average PAX.. which is scary). Now, I'd like to think I'm an intermediate

When I traveled, it was often with the cheapest carrier (SW or DL more often than not) and all of my miles went to DL. What happened with them after that was an unkown. Fortunately I did know to always provide my FF number whenever booking travel.

Then, in preparation for a trip with the gf, I joined FT for some more info on my future trip from ATL-SEA on AS. And, then, the gf ended things a week before the trip (after booking the hotel on PL), thus giving more time to explore this site!

A whim of a trip to LAS out of TYS that I found for about $250 RT (including 3 nights at the dreadful El Cortez) helped me decide to not fly UA anytime soon after, thus focusing all travel on DL.

Since I had already signed up for the SPG Amex in October of '09, I concentrated most hotel stays towards them and managed to hit gold this past September. Overall, decently impressed, although the lack of benefits for Gold leaves me with an open mind in 2011.

My first sudo-MR took place in May '09. On my return from a work trip in Chicago, I managed a MDW-DFW-IND-ATL-CHA itinerary WITH a checked bag that actually made it to CHA! That's also where I learned that getting a bump, even when GAs are accepting volunteers, is still hard to get on DL

Forward to late June. US offers up the free silver trial. I knew of a trip coming up in Sept, and US flew with some good rates out of CHA, so maybe I should give them a try. Thought about it, and THEN Hop/Skip/Jump arrived.

Ohhhhh baby.

Having a good knowledge of ITA, now, I spent hours thinking up a MR that I could combine with the future trip I would be taking to DFW in early Sept. This resulted in my first, true, straight-up, no BS, MR. CHA-CLT-RDU-LGA-BOS-PHL-CLT-CHA. One day. No misses. No real delays. Pure luck, I say. Seven segments, a hop, and a skip down, I was ready to hit Silver AND Gold on one PNR. The first REAL F experience for me (LGA-BOS didnt really count except for having that extra leg room while on the tarmac for 45 minutes waiting to depart LGA) was from CLT-DFW on an A320. Nothing TOO special except for the joys of legroom (6'1), a few cocktails, and personal space.

That also took care of my East-West hop, and only 1 segment to go to retain silver til 2012 via the preferred trial.

DFW-CLT in F got me to #10, with the next leg of CLT-MLB giving me the jump i needed to hit gold. Dirt-Silver-Gold in a span of two flights! don't worry... i don't travel all TOO often so as to make a dent in upgrade availability.

Now, here we are. 1000 posts and 34 of 36 hits completed in the Grand Slam on US. Trip to LAS next month at least in Row 11 on the 320 via CLT won't make my knees ache or mood dwindle. Now I'll just try not to double down on J-2 in blackjack like I did a few years ago. Yes alcohol did play a role.

Thanks to all who have helped and continue to welcome others to FT.

And, no joke, I hit a 9