Just a quick note from my personal experience:

While I started on FlyerTalk to learn about earning and redeeming miles for a dream trip in international first class, I've come to understand over the years that the best part of FlyerTalk isn't the endless fonts of knowledge that can be found here--it's the people. The FlyerTalk community is something that I don't think exists anywhere else--a literally global village of people from all walks of life who come together over a shared passion for learning more about our planet through travel. But what really makes it special and sets it apart from other online communities is the fact that because FlyerTalkers travel so much, it's not uncommon to get to know people from halfway around the globe and consider them among your closest friends! I regularly attend community get-togethers--known as "Dos"--and see old friends from 2,000 miles away more often than I see my neighbors!

In fact, the FlyerTalk community has had such a powerful meaning in my life that I've volunteered to host several dos of my own (so far, all based in Alaska, my old home state). We've had such a blast seeing all kinds of interesting things, from baseball games under the midnight sun to hot springs under the Northern Lights to float plane flightseeing trips just a few hundred yards from fishing brown bears to seeing some of our own (nutso) members dive into ice-cold Bering Sea waters...and even a 127-pound cabbage or two.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you guys know that you're joining not just a discussion forum but a family--some of whom I consider to be my closest friends. Be sure to check out any dos that are going on in your area or an are you might be traveling to!