I'm writing this in the spirit of the FT community. It's not really a trip report but may seem so. So now I have met 2 FT people by just sitting my bottom in the proscribed seat on the plane and talking to my immediate seat-mate neighbor. Out of maybe 140 flites. That's like 1.5%, interesting enough to report, I thought.

First Punki and I met on a SEA-PDX trip a few years back. That's when FT became real to me. Except we didn't realize we knew each other until after we flew. Which made that connection very special, the light bulb went off afterwards. I took that as a learning experience and now, when it seems like it could be possible, I check to see if my neighbor could be an FT-literate person.

So now just a few weeks ago, I was flying DEN-MSP with one of the little gregseattles. We were on an old sh*ttle plane and had seats 3A and 3E. It was a full flite and I booked late, and chose the bulkhead and odd (separated) seating over a defined seat arrangement further back in coach as I am a slave to the legroom and knew I could ask a favor from one of our potential seat-mates to swap.

Since the FAA requires that the little one sits on the window seat, and I should sit next to him, I had to decide whether to ask 3B to move or 3F to move.

Well, 3B and C were clearly a couple and I didn't want to disrupt as B seemed pretty much attached to C. So I asked 3F if he'd mind taking the other window, and he said ok, but asked me if I knew who was in 3D. I said "I don't know" maybe it will be empty (as we got on as they were calling final.)

So we took our seats and the door closed. I was getting ready to wave over to my relocatee and say that 3D looks to be open. But a minute later it turns out 3D was aft and took his seat. 3D was a conversational type, like me. So we started talking. You know typical smalltalk - banter. Then the discussion turns more specific to UA. Then we start talking about upgrade types. Then I ask something like have you heard of this website for frequent flyers. Before I can finish he says "flyertalk?" We laugh.

Turns out I got to meet robotdoctor who was heading to MSP for a quick trip as was I. We enjoyed a nice conversation and he made a kind drink coupon donation my way so I was able to enjoy a free adult beverage and not burn my one of my last 1k coupons. My kid slept and we had a nice chance to catch up.

The conversation was quite fine and the trip flew by very quickly. We drilled into many of the topics du jour on FT and also got to know each other on more of a personal note.

It is so nice/random/pleasantly unexpected to meet flyertalkers in the air. Really helps you to realize that this is a community. In some ways since we have access to certain seat inventories that many folks don't, it is more likely that we will intersect.

All y'all make sure that you talk to your neighbors now. Quietly mumble the word FT if you're not sure they are on the same page. You might be surprised.