Well outlined gleff - and what you post is as I broadly understand it too. I too was surprised at the comment above.

I do not profess to have any inside info other than what Randy told me at dinner here a fair while ago now, but even at that time IIRC FlyerTalk COST him $40,000 or so nett a year to provide. And that did not seem to bother him one jot.

It gives him and his staff a sounding board, and of course a research tool whose immediacy and accuracy are second to none when needed to be initiated.

IIRC a good part of Randy's business is paid consulting to all kinds of travel and aviation and lodging groups and entities.

To be able to say with pinpoint ACCURACY: "this is what your customers are saying/think of this right NOW" is pretty powerful mojo. And is not able to be duplicated by anyone else I can think of.

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~ Glen ~ sipping bubbly from UA 747-400 exit row 15A near you SOON!


[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited Nov 24, 2003).]