<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PremEx2000:
...And the best qualification yet: My wife even said she'd let me do this. Can you imagine that? ... </font>
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Yes, I had a similar thought!
My wife gave me a green light too!
Excerpted from her reply to me " ...If you went you could consider it your "XXX"th birthday present...
...It is okay with me in general, but I will not be entirely rearranging my schedule for such a long period of time. You love to travel. It sounds like something good for you. Let me know what you decide."
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As many already know, there are few, if any, FT'ers who have been to more countries than I have in over 30 years of travel experience. And I personally have no difficulty with either the required time, nor the financial committment, and FWIW, I would surely go off to compete as effectively as possible.
Yet ONLY if there were not other equally or better qualified individuals willing to do so on behalf of FlyerTalk.
IMHO, there are several highly qualified FT's on this list, aside from myself! Some have already even committed a donation to the FT effort and/or pledged back any winnings!
Regarding a final selection of two representatives for "Team FlyerTalk:"
I would think we would all surely want the absolutely best qualified people, no?
Is it a popularity contest?
Is it an essay writing contest?
IMHO, NO!
Rather we should all be, or rather have been, listing objective, relevant criteria to consider so that Randy & Co might make the best selection!
The qualifications, IMHO, in no specific order of importance, should include, but not be limited to FT rep's being:
interested
easygoing
committed
intelligent
analytical
organized
detail-oriented
disciplined
respectful
agreeable
flexible
adaptable
(physically) fit
good sense of humour
crisis loving!
widely travel experienced
verbal/well spoken
indefatigueable
optimistic
culturally savvy & sensitive
diplomatic
puzzle/riddle loving
logical
practical
resourceful
well connected
posess multiple passports
excellent sense of direction!
being a bit of a "schmooze" wouldn't hurt either!
In short, rep's should truly be great present and future FlyerTalk ambassadors!
Best of luck to all!
-Mark