I received mine, but it's unreadable, well, I can read it, but the format can't be handled by gmail.
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From: FlyerTalk <[email protected]>
Reply-To: FlyerTalk <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2005 11:23:00 -0600
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<div align="center"><img src="http://www.webflyer.com/images/FFFFFF.gif" width="120" height="1" alt="" border="0" align="center"><br><font color="#FFCC00">April 11, 2005</font><img src="http://www.webflyer.com/images/FFFFFF.gif" width="120" height="1" alt="" border="0" align="center"></div>
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<a href="#news" class="navlink"><font color="#FFFFFF">· News & Views</font></a><br>
<a href="#hot_threads" class="navlink"><font color="#FFFFFF">· Hot Threads</font></a><br>
<a href="#notable_quotes" class="navlink"><font color="#FFFFFF">· Notable Quotes</font></a><br>
<a href="#flyertalk_bio" class="navlink"><font color="#FFFFFF">· FlyerTalk Bio</font></a><br>
<a href="#talkmail_tips" class="navlink"><font color="#FFFFFF">· TalkMail Tips</font></a><br>
<a href="#community_page" class="navlink"><font color="#FFFFFF">· Community Page</font></a><br>
<a href="#unsubscribing" class="navlink"><font color="#FFFFFF">· Unsubscribing</font></a><br>
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<p class="section_title">N E W S & <span class="section_title2">V I E W S</span></p>
<p>
Before we jump into this edition of TalkMail let's address the topic at the top of everyone's agenda, you guessed it - Search. To take a little bit of the edge off the subject, we've decided to provide this update in the form of a limerick.
</p>
<p>There was an old women from Nantucket ... oops, wrong limerick.</p><p>
FT search was decommissioned too long,<br>
And Google wasn't sating the throng,<br>
New servers are in play,<br>
Though there's no ETA,<br>
But be thankful we don't update in song.</p><p>
Seriously though, we intend to implement a plan in the very near future that involves more and better servers, which we hope and expect will give us the ability to reactivate search capability in the near future.</p><p>
Stay tuned for more updates as they become available, or as long as it takes for us to write another limerick.</p><p>
<hr></p><p>
FlyerTalkers in the hundreds recently gathered in Houston for what turned out to be one of the biggest DOs of all time, and the first FT DO ever hosted by an airline.</p><p>
The story behind the eventful DO goes something like this: While having dinner with new Continental CEO <b>Larry Kellner</b>, <b>cigarman</b> brought up the topic of FT and suggested to Larry he utilize our community to gain valuable information about the real wants and needs of frequent flyers. Larry was skeptical to say the least, and bet cigarman he wouldn't be able to get more than a few handfuls of FTers to actually come to a Continental-sponsored event.</p><p>
Needless to say, Larry underestimated the interest such an event would generate and was forced to pony up in the form of hosting the DO. And being the good sport he is, Mr. Kellner made the most of it and was in attendance for much of the event, as were many other senior members of the Continental management team, chatting and sharing ideas with FTers.</p><p>
And by all accounts, Larry was as impressed with the FTers as they were with him.</p><p>
"The FlyerTalk group gives me especially good insight into how our various services are perceived by a key group -- frequent flyers," Kellner said. "We regularly take the input we receive and ask ourselves what we should be doing better or changing. This is one of the reasons I think we have been so successful in the marketplace.</p><p>
You can find all the first-hand detail of the event in any of several threads in the Continental forum, and in the CommunityPage section below you'll find a link to a thread in the Community forum.</p><p>
Kudos to Larry and cigarman for putting on a spectacular DO.</p><p>
<hr></p><p>
Air France Frequence Plus members rejoice. Word has it that very soon there will be a new moderator for the forum with "insider" knowledge of the program. That's all we're saying and if anyone asks, you didn't hear it from us.</p><p>
<hr></p><p>
And one last bit of housecleaning before sending you on to the links. After a brief hiatus, I, <b>Mikel at WebFlyer</b>, have resumed the role of TalkMail editor. Please feel free to post any compliments you might have for me or the newsletter in the Only Randy Petersen forum, and any complaints should be sent by private message directly to me for speedy disposal ... er, I mean attention, heh heh.</p><p>
<hr></p><p>
Now, onto the links:</p>
<a name="hot_threads"></a>
<p class="section_title">H O T <span class="section_title2">T H R E A D S</span></p>
<p>Note: "Hot Threads" are not necessarily those with the most posts - they're the ones that seem to generate the most interest. They stand out for their timeliness, originality, humor, the quality of the information/ideas they contain and the concerns they raise. They're listed in no particular order:</p>
<p>A rose by any other name still deserves to be treated with the respect and courtesy afforded roses on other airlines and in other business settings ... or something like that.<br>
<a href="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=417426">http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=417426</a></p>
<p>JetBlue apparently has a new fan and his name is Conan O'Brien. Better to have a comedian with a national audience as a friend than an enemy.<br>
<a href="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418715">http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418715</a></p>
<p>Finally, an explanation as to why we are all still receiving daily emails from former Nigerian princes with vast sums of cash who need our help. It appears the Nigerian government is currently busy trying to crack down on the airlines' practice of overbooking.<br>
<a href="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=407047">http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=407047</a></p>
<p>This week on "Gender Wars" - Are male passengers treated better than female passengers by female flight attendants? If you have a story to tell, or just want to read a transcript of the show, go to:<br>
<a href="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=419094">http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=419094</a></p>
<p>What do you, as a citizen of the developed western world, get for your Muscovite co-worker who has a growing understanding of the concepts of freedom and democracy, but perhaps little else?<br>
<a href="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418927">http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418927</a></p>
<p>April Fool's Day has come and gone once again, but Horizon Air's April Fool's employee newsletter will forever live in on in this not-to-be-missed thread.<br>
<a href="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=417146">http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=417146</a></p>
<p>Some frequent car renters discuss the woes of the underpowered compacts. Great information if you ever travel to hill country.<br>
<a href="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=413479">http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=413479</a></p>
<a name="notable_quotes"></a>
<p class="section_title">N O T A B L E <span class="section_title2">Q U O T E S</span></p>
<p>This TalkMail feature is fairly self-explanatory. We select funny, insightful, particularly informative or interesting posts (or parts of posts) and reprint them here, providing whatever context necessary.</p>
<p>Many Diners Club cardholders are none to happy about the company's change from a 60-day billing cycle to a 30-day cycle. In this particular discussion in the Diners Club Club Rewards forum, <b>Spent_All_My_Miles</b> recounts a conversation with a DC rep who claimed the change had been made because few were taking advantage of the extended payment period. To that, <b>BearX220</b> had this reply:</p>
<p>"I don't use my life insurance policy much either, having failed to die, but I like having the benefit available."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=414231">http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=414231</a></p>
<a name="flyertalk_bio"></a>
<p class="section_title">F L Y E R T A L K <span class="section_title2">B I O</span></p>
<p>As many of you know, a long, long time ago, <b>baobab</b> started a thread called "Who We All Are," and invited FlyerTalkers to post personal information they wanted to share with the community. When that thread became too unwieldy, <b>BlondeBomber</b> took up the mantle and began "Who We All Are 2." Currently, we're up to "Who We All Are 10."</p>
<p>In each edition of TalkMail, we'll steal one of the bios from those threads (sometimes edited for space) and put it here for all to see.</p>
<p>This month's bio: <b>couscous</b>, from February 2005:</p>
<p>"As I am approaching 2,000 posts, almost 4 years on this board, I figure that it might be time to introduce myself. I'm a 38 years old male born in the South of France, I have been living in the Bay area for almost 14 years. I love the Bay Area and I'm proud of calling this place home. I grew up with the aviation bug. My dad is a pilot, he works for Airbus industries and will retire in less than a month. He strapped me in an airplane seat when I was 5 and showed me the world from above (sometimes upside down as well !!). My sister is a flight attendant for Air France. I did not end up in the industry but travelling is my passion, my drug. Finding deals, planning trips, the experience of travelling, the perks, the comfort, the recognition as an elite flyer.. I love it.</p>
<p>I am a regional Manager for a retail company based in the Bay Area. My territory is Northern California and Colorado. I'm married to a wonderful attorney (yes, they do exist) and I have two wonderful boys from a previous marriage. We love going to Maui where we own a timeshare. We go to Europe at least 3 times a year to see the family and discover new cities.</p>
<p>My favorite city in the world is Barcelona in Spain. I love the energy there and feel very comfortable with the culture and the lifestyle. Our goal is to retired there in 10 years. I became hooked on Flyertalk 4 years ago, by accident, just browsing. I was a lurker for a long time before I became a contributor. I am especially proud of having discovered a $25 a night mistake at the W Times Square in New york.. Hundreds of rooms were booked after I related the information on this board.. what a day !!!</p>
<p>I love reading trip reports, the United forum, the Starwood forum (even though I am becoming less and less impressed with Starwood) and of course OMNI and the community board.</p>
<p>I have met some wonderful flyertalkers around the world (Bangkok, Firenze, Barcelona, London and of course San Francisco). Look forward to more.."</p>
<a name="talkmail_tips"></a>
<p class="section_title">T A L K M A I L <span class="section_title2">T I P S</span></p>
<p>In this section you'll find helpful tips that have been offered by other FlyerTalkers on subjects that range from travel to hygiene and, thankfully, everything in between.</p>
<p>All right, we know no one on FT flies coach over the pond, not anymore at least. But let's pretend you had to - maybe you lost a bet or developed a rare allergy to comfort - which airline would you choose to minimize the pain on your posterior.<br>
<a href="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418933">http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418933</a></p>
<p>Flying to Vegas to see the sights, but you just can't wait until the airplane lands to begin your sightseeing? Find out which side of the plane is best to be seated on to observe the most spectacular views upon approach.<br>
<a href="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=413712">http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=413712</a></p>
<a name="community_page"></a>
<p class="section_title">C O M M U N I T Y <span class="section_title2">P A G E</span></p>
<p>This is the place where FTers can learn about upcoming gatherings and read trip reports from recent meetings.</p>
<p>Everyone's invited to a reading of <b>squeakr's</b> latest work, a play "very loosely based on the travails of Darryl Strawberry." The reading will be held in San Francisco, a city quickly becoming known for baseball players with tarnished reputations.<br>
<a href="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=408058">http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=408058</a></p>
<p>In case you missed the first ever airline-sponsored FT DO, here is a recap of the Continental DO that took place in Houston earlier this month.<br>
<a href="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=417351">http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=417351</a></p>
<a name="unsubscribing"></a>
<p class="section_title">U N S U B S C R I B I N G:</p>
<p>To remove yourself from future TalkMail emails, just access your FlyerTalk profile settings, select "Edit Options" and unselect the "Receive Email from Administrators" option.<br>LINK: <a href="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/profile.php?do=editoptions">http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/profile.php?do=editoptions</a></p>
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