Catman ... that remark is offensive to me. I did not name YOU, or anyone. Nor did I intend to imply any one person was involved. The singular was not used or implied or meant. I suspect you may have been the only one to read yourself into it. Had I meant to direct it toward anyone there would be NO doubt about whom - I am sure most will agree on that at least.

The facts are self evident ... this first time poster asks a very simple question, and is ignored for nearly 24 hours. In that time there must have been 100+ posters on MANY different threads in this exact same "FT Community" board posting vigorously about how wonderful and terrific and helpful this "community" always is/was/must be.

These were largely reminiscing/naval gazing/back slapping etc - no doubt about it IMHO - I made no comment on whether that was positive or negative - and my remark most clearly was not directed at any one person in particular. Many posts were excellent and astute observations. My only comment was that it was ironic a totally new poster with an intelligent well typed query was totally ignored during this "feel good fest"!

I did not say I was referring to "Veteran FlyerTalkers" as you infer above. I did not use or infer those words at all - YOU did. Many of the excellent posts in the past 24 hours have been by very new members - a point that may have escaped your notice.

No one else even welcomed this new person, even if they were unable/unwilling to assist. Yet the same threads have regulars ruefully recalling their first posts being met with a gruff: "go look it up in search - newbie" or simply being ignored. I very politely pointed out this thread was more suitable for "General Travel Talk" but a new visitor would hardly know that.

The topic "FF Statistics" would I feel sure have been opened by most here in case it interested/assisted them, so I reject the claim that people "did not have time" to look at it. What nonsense - the thread was looked at by dozens of people here - they simply did not respond. Their right entirely, but the poster must have been aware dozens were responding to other threads here - big time as the record shows.

I took the trouble to provide a detailed answer for the only FF program I had info on. If no-one else was prepared to bother assisting doho ..... their call. But do NOT flame and insult me for doing so. Had I not posted, the thread would have died without trace most probably with no response. It was already half way down the page. However the 16 posts in 6½ hours after mine changed all that, and my apologies in advance DOHO that this has happened on your first ever visit. I hope if some of the posts above have not already scared you away, that you do stay around, and hopefully look back on this fondly in 12 months time!

And doho I hope you also receive some more actual information after this post and not a raging flame, that in this thread anyway, will NOT involve me fuelling it further. Several wise heads whom I respect have asked me to take that advice on another thread 24-36 hours ago and I acceded.

There was no call whatever to use the quote above IMHO Catman, and I repeat it is offensive to me, and at least to the 3 others who alerted me to it, (thank you) and I do ask you politely to consider editing it out if you indeed are "the soul of the board" as you remind the new visitors. If this thread ends up in the recently all too familar rage, some people posting after this point really should buy themselves a shiny new mirror.

Catman, had you emailed me direct, as you are publicly so keen to urge others to do, rather than simply insult others on board to bystander third parties, I would have responded privately, as I have done to many here lately. You did not, and this is why I am posting now. I left this post for over 2½ hours just in case you had typed in haste, and later edited, but not so it seems.

I am not seeking a flame here. I have no beef with you on any matter other than this, and will in fact NOT post further on this thread to satisfy all concerned that is NOT my intention by posting this message. The only thing I will post is "thank you" if you withdraw your comment. I am flying interstate for a few days shortly, so you and others can ignore this ... or post away - your choice, you are the CATCOP and can largely call the shots.

I just feel you were way out of line posting what you did to a new user about anyone. Your 5.06 am post was sarcastic and pointed enough, but within usual limits of many responses to me, and was a very different wording to your latest one. Had you left it at that, I'd not be typing this. You started your own thread right here only yesterday and said: "let's stop attacking each other and get back to sharing some fun stories of flying and tips and stuff. Please!!"

There is a danger your post might look very much like the "do as I say, and not do as I do" syndrome. If you have a persecution complex directed at me you are absolutely wrong. I would have posted this same message to anyone who used the words above.

And to play the devil's advocate if I may - so would many here I suspect respond, had another senior boarder posted it about them.

Good Evening.


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~ Glen ~



[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 08-31-2000).]