To all the regulars on this board I express my admiration. I've enjoyed reading about your exploits and have learned much from your tips. Heretofore I've been quite simply too intimidated to venture a post myself. Although my wife and I have cashed in frequent flyer miles for tickets several times, we have never been able to fly enough to reach any sort of high status with an airline.

Over the weekend, however, I was fortunate to meet and visit with one of the superstars of this board, Rudi. He extracted a promise from me that I would venture my first posting as a result, and this is it. Here's how this transpired.

My wife and I stay regularly at the San Francisco Airport Marriott and were there this past weekend. I realized that Rudi's beloved San Francisco 49ers were in town and decided to ask if Rudi were scheduled to be a guest of the hotel. When I was told he would be staying there, I left a message for him and he graciously responded.

My wife and I wound up meeting Rudi and his wife, plus two other members of his family. We visited for a few minutes on Saturday evening and then met for breakfast on Sunday. Rudi is everything he appears to be on this board. He's an extremely accomplished and witty individual; any of you who have the opportunity to meet him will have an immensely pleasurable experience.

Rudi: I hope all continues to go well with your trip. Go 'niners.