Dec 31, 2021, 9:43 am
Last edit by: tcook052
This new annual thread has been carved out of the previous thread in an effort to reduce the number of megathreads on the AC forum. For those interested previous versions are the original 2004 - 2014 thread , 2015 edition, 2016 edition , 2017 edition, 2018 edition, 2019 edition, 2020 edition and 2021 edition.
The original thread started by accident but quickly became a popular place to come and discuss off topic things such as hockey, new movies, or almost anything that wouldn't fit into existing AC forum threads. Air Canada or Aeroplan topics such as flight feedback, in-flight services issues, status or mileage earning/redemption are all topics that should go into existing AC forum threads so others can benefit from this information. Topics about hotels or airlines and/or their loyalty programs, destinations, in-flight travel tech. or anything best discussed elsewhere on FT may be relocated to that forum as this thread isn't meant to import travel topics to this forum that are better discussed on other forums. FT is an amazingly diverse and large community so members are encouraged to seek out all of its resources.
While the conversation is more relaxed as it would be in a lounge that doesn't mean however that the FT rules don't apply here as they definitely do so please refrain from controversial topics such as politics or religion, avoid profanities and treat other lounge patrons with the same respect you expect.
Adam Smith & tcook052
AC Forum Co-Moderators
The original thread started by accident but quickly became a popular place to come and discuss off topic things such as hockey, new movies, or almost anything that wouldn't fit into existing AC forum threads. Air Canada or Aeroplan topics such as flight feedback, in-flight services issues, status or mileage earning/redemption are all topics that should go into existing AC forum threads so others can benefit from this information. Topics about hotels or airlines and/or their loyalty programs, destinations, in-flight travel tech. or anything best discussed elsewhere on FT may be relocated to that forum as this thread isn't meant to import travel topics to this forum that are better discussed on other forums. FT is an amazingly diverse and large community so members are encouraged to seek out all of its resources.
While the conversation is more relaxed as it would be in a lounge that doesn't mean however that the FT rules don't apply here as they definitely do so please refrain from controversial topics such as politics or religion, avoid profanities and treat other lounge patrons with the same respect you expect.
Adam Smith & tcook052
AC Forum Co-Moderators
The Forum Lounge Thread (2022)
Oct 12, 2022, 3:05 pm
#871
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,302
Oct 12, 2022, 6:17 pm
#872
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,417
Once done perhaps you, Adam or others can give me a couple of pointers on a Scottish single malt tasting trip. I prefer Highland and Speyside. May probably do it next year with a friend or two and leave the spouse home or in a hotel.
Oct 12, 2022, 7:44 pm
#873
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,742
The Station Inn in Rothes is very nice. Tours and tasting for Scotch are nowhere near the tourist industry that wine regions like Kelowna, Napa, etc have become. Many distilleries don't offer anything or very little, although a few (e.g. Macallan) have built facilities that might be more what you'd expect if you envisioned something like what the wineries do. The Speyside Cooperage is well worth a visit as it was quite interesting to see the guys working away on the casks and learn a bit more about that process. Those would be some of my top Speyside tips, but happy to discuss more over a Scotch at a Do sometime!
Oct 12, 2022, 9:19 pm
#874
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,216
Oct 13, 2022, 9:29 am
#875
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,742
I've had some rums that I wouldn't want to drink without something else because they're so vile (hello, Rum Fire!). Then again, maybe if I mixed them with Coke Zero, they would just ruin the Coke Zero...
Oct 13, 2022, 7:27 pm
#876
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,216
Sitting in YVR, with a glass of Prosecco, I came up with my brilliant idea of the day.
Hand sanitizer made from decent Gin. In a CATSA / TSA-compliant size, of course.
The mind boggles at the cocktail possibilities...
Hand sanitizer made from decent Gin. In a CATSA / TSA-compliant size, of course.
The mind boggles at the cocktail possibilities...
Oct 13, 2022, 8:08 pm
#877
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,742
I rented what's probably the second [poop]iest of all the [poop]box rental cars that I've rented while I was in South Africa in the last few days. Unlike most of the [poop]boxes that I've rented, this one was a manual transmission.
The pedals on my own car have never felt as stiff as they did this morning, especially the clutch. What a crazy first few blocks of driving it was!
Did you not use any of the sanitizers made by distilleries over the pandemic? I definitely had a couple that had a bit of scent of a specific spirit to them, although given the extremely high alcohol content, I don't think any of them would have made good bases for cocktails.
The pedals on my own car have never felt as stiff as they did this morning, especially the clutch. What a crazy first few blocks of driving it was!
Did you not use any of the sanitizers made by distilleries over the pandemic? I definitely had a couple that had a bit of scent of a specific spirit to them, although given the extremely high alcohol content, I don't think any of them would have made good bases for cocktails.
Oct 13, 2022, 10:27 pm
#878
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,302
I, uh, apparently missed another threshold.
I was paying close attention after I hit 39,900. But ... I'm 20 over. Oops.
Do I outrank Adam now?
I was paying close attention after I hit 39,900. But ... I'm 20 over. Oops.
Do I outrank Adam now?
Oct 13, 2022, 11:36 pm
#879
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,759
Aberfeldy is a nice distillery to visit. A lot of history there and they put on a pretty good tour. Right in your Highland palate too. If you fancy a walking tour of Scotland, search the Speyside Way which takes you through Aberlour and Cragganmore among a few others - besides being a beautiful walk.
Oct 14, 2022, 12:03 am
#880
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,742
Oct 14, 2022, 12:43 pm
#881
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,302
I just got an email from Chase that my card was declined at an Apple Store.
I was initially pissed that I'd have to get a new card number.
Then I realized the card is not in my wallet.
I used it at a restaurant last night (after, ahem, walking out on my tab at Smuggler's Cove - oops). I must have left it on the table. And someone grabbed it and tried to spend $3k on Apple products. Good thing Chase knows I don't buy Apple products
I was initially pissed that I'd have to get a new card number.
Then I realized the card is not in my wallet.
I used it at a restaurant last night (after, ahem, walking out on my tab at Smuggler's Cove - oops). I must have left it on the table. And someone grabbed it and tried to spend $3k on Apple products. Good thing Chase knows I don't buy Apple products
Oct 17, 2022, 5:59 am
#882
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,742
Those of you who've met me may have noticed my affinity for not very stylish, but tremendously practical cargo pants that can convert in to shorts.
I've had a few pairs from MEC that I bought over a decade ago that have been amazingly durable, but they're finally starting to fall apart. I recently ordered some from Columbia that seemed to fit the bill, feature-wise, but after wearing them only about 10 times, the stitching one one of the cargo pockets has been coming apart, rendering that pocket completely useless.
Anyone here have any suggestions for similar garments that are of better quality? (And that come in sizes big enough for someone who's both tall and large)
I've had a few pairs from MEC that I bought over a decade ago that have been amazingly durable, but they're finally starting to fall apart. I recently ordered some from Columbia that seemed to fit the bill, feature-wise, but after wearing them only about 10 times, the stitching one one of the cargo pockets has been coming apart, rendering that pocket completely useless.
Anyone here have any suggestions for similar garments that are of better quality? (And that come in sizes big enough for someone who's both tall and large)
Oct 18, 2022, 7:09 am
#883
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,759
Those of you who've met me may have noticed my affinity for not very stylish, but tremendously practical cargo pants that can convert in to shorts.
I've had a few pairs from MEC that I bought over a decade ago that have been amazingly durable, but they're finally starting to fall apart. I recently ordered some from Columbia that seemed to fit the bill, feature-wise, but after wearing them only about 10 times, the stitching one one of the cargo pockets has been coming apart, rendering that pocket completely useless.
Anyone here have any suggestions for similar garments that are of better quality? (And that come in sizes big enough for someone who's both tall and large)
I've had a few pairs from MEC that I bought over a decade ago that have been amazingly durable, but they're finally starting to fall apart. I recently ordered some from Columbia that seemed to fit the bill, feature-wise, but after wearing them only about 10 times, the stitching one one of the cargo pockets has been coming apart, rendering that pocket completely useless.
Anyone here have any suggestions for similar garments that are of better quality? (And that come in sizes big enough for someone who's both tall and large)
https://www.rei.com/product/202030/r...ble-pants-mens
I recently trashed a pair of Arcteryx hiking pants that I had used and abused for 12 years and would gladly pay a lot of money for an identical replacement but everything they make now is triple the price and half the quality.
Oct 18, 2022, 11:44 am
#884
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,216
I had some Gortex gloves that lasted less than a year and the process I had to go through just to get a credit was ridiculous. They are still selling the same gloves, despite overwhelmingly negative reviews on their own web site.
Oct 18, 2022, 11:47 pm
#885
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,132
I have no idea how this city is going to manage hosting the World Cup. Construction everywhere, closed off streets, no finishing work done. The stadiums are done, but there’s no chance the other infrastructure will be ready.