Firstly great news about a StarMega DO 2.

In response to your questions:

- How was the value for the money paid in 2009
Very good. However this only relates to the charter (which I did in Y) as due to time constraints I couldn't join for the US portion or TATL and flew into FRA separately (ended up flying in with BA rather than a * carrier to the * DO ).
- How many days can you be away to participate in a DO
Could do several weeks, but I would both find it easier to get off work for less and I think 7-10 days would be optimal (though I agree with others that if longer than last year the programme may need to be relaxed on some days to allow people to recharge their batteries).
- How much money will you be willing to spend
As many others have said depends on the programme. However I am interested in keeping the costs down as I already have several big trips booked for 2010 and don't want to bankrupt myself (obviously not going isn't an option!). This probably will mean settling for flying Y

In terms of the programme. My suggestion would be RTW and hire another larger aircraft, A380 anyone? (ok nevermind unrealistic I know)

No offense intended, but I'd prefer avoiding the US completely. I have already rescheduled/relocate most of my US meetings and trips for 2010 as I can't be bothered with the TSA incompetence and hassle these days. I would prefer doing SoAM, Africa, Asia, or Oceania (perhaps RTW across the Southern Hemisphere?). Despite being based in the UK and a Euro start would be convenient, I would quite happily miss out Europe as well as NoAM on a RTW and just focus on the other continents for a change.

As I have said before StarMega DO 1 was fantastic! Looking forward to what StarMega DO 2 will bring.

I trust Tommy & Co wholeheartedly on their decisions. Also as I said at the end of the last DO let me know if you need any help (and not only with IT stuff), great work guys!

tommy and oliver--the Star Mega Do was great. It was great vaue for money and I think a RTW might be doable. Staring in ICN you can get a 3 month max RTW for under $5000.00 in C and folks can come back to NA-- and complete the flights within the time period. All you have to do is get Asiana to get us a real deal across the pacific... just some thoughts

And it's not even just being away from work for 2 weeks: It's being away from work and not having any time (or inclination ) to work remotely.

I was lucky I didn't get fired when I got back for being out of touch for 4 days, and not responding to e-mails.

I do agree that a RTW would really be incredible -- but I would only be able to go for a portion of it, if the organizers break it up into segments which can be booked separately.

Ah, forgot to chime in with this idea earlier...but why not Air India or TAM as both are joining *A this very year!

I've never flown Air India before, but would love to be able to fly them and earn some RDM and EQM.

There's basically no way I could even consider a RTW for the same reasons here...even if I am not at work, I have to check in remote. And 10 days would be so compresses it would just be a waste of my money.

I will have to attend it this year.
Is there a way to do it over a weekend?

I thought the Do was awesome as it was, though I could definitely be up for a day or two more. Key issue for me would be whether it's possible to keep up the tempo/intensity of events for a longer tirip.

And other key is timing it between my inflexible biz trips, though not much I can do about that...

And hey *A -- partly due to the great experience and hospitality, I have a CO status match and am dumping Delta/Skyteam.

Huge point that cost us a lot of extra work. We'll be tossing around ideas in this thread and have everything confirmed and ready before posting anything else.

As for the time issue, we started at ORD on Tuesday morning at 730AM, half the group actually started in the US, which means the difference in time off will only be one day. If the RTW is what we decide to do, we will start Friday and be done the next Sunday

Your idea for the RTW timeline sounds great!^ Looking forward to the developing DO!:-:

Around the world in 60 hours is possible, but doesn't leave much time for on the ground activities.

So let's have the meetings / presentations in the air then.

Come to think of it, RTW in 80 hours would likely generate some media buzz especially if tommy777 were to dress up as Phileas Fogg.

If we did an RTW in 80 hours, the airlines would upcharge us to deep-clean the cabin thanks to the various smells that would arise. No thanks.

Maybe they can hang one of those camping showers in a lav?

Sounds great!!

And for those who can't be 'off' due to employers expecting you to check in, I realize w/ the economy you have to keep jobs & probably like/love your jobs, but folks - vacation is vacation. Not I'm taking vacation & working anyway. Presumably they have others who can handle things in your absence. If not, they should or they're not doing their jobs as managers. Literally no one is indispensible. If - God forbid - you were ever in an accident, battled a life-threatening illness or died - the company would go on, not to sound too crude about it. Having said that, no FT Do is worth losing a job over.

FWIW - I prefer not to do a RTW in 60-80 hours , although seeing Tommy dressed up as Phileas Fogg would be pretty funny

Cheers.

On a couple of occasions when meeting with VIPs he came pretty close. All he lacked was a morning coat and a top hat.

As for Mrs. Fredd and me, we thought it was great value - actually a priceless experience - and we'd be interested in whatever grand tour results from the deliberations, even though we've already booked and paid for our 2010 100,000 UA EQM. We've bookmarked this thread and will monitor it with great interest.