That's fair.

But given 100+ folk did fill out the surveys & thus the organizers have a snapshop, would be nice to have that info listed thus perhaps avoid a lot of repeating the same thing - or, some of the replies might inspire others or make them think of stuff they haven't thought of! It's not something I'm getting bent out of shape over, so don't take it that way.

BTW - what I thought was funny was someone AIM'd me & said are you going on SMD3? Me - huh? :confused: What, has it been announced & I missed it already? :eek: Where are we going? :D

So my response is the same as to the AIMer. I'm certainly interested in SMD3, but can't commit until I know the itinerary, what's happening, the costs, the timeframe. Yeah, I know that's a big duh ;) :p :D

One thing I would suggest - to avoid the 1,000lb guerilla the SMD2 thread became (aka, the megathread), lock the interested thread & create a new one once they open up bookings, which is what I think they did for SMD1. It will still be long, but by doing that & changing the title a bit, it will be more managable & perhaps attract more interest so the organizers won't be scrambling at the last minute to fill up the plane.

I do know that if there is a SMD3, the organizers will do a fab job as always! SMD1 & SMD2 rocked!

Cheers. Sharon

Can't remember if I posted this in the survey or not, but while it's great Starwood stepped up to the plate, perhaps the organizers can also approach Marriott, IHG, Hyatt, or Hilton for the hotel end & spread the wealth around. Marriott might be inclined to do so after results of 1st FT Awards :D

Cheers. Sharon

Thanks for your input. As noted above, we have our reasons.

Can we now get this thread back on-topic??

It is time to go to Asia.

With proximity of ICN to NRT, it should be easy to set up an event that folds in NH and OZ, especially if there is a local orginizer who is willing to take the lead on that.

If NH has the 787 by then, perhaps we can charter it from SFO. But chartering the SQ all-biz from EWR would be cooler. ;)

Cargo
 

Was really stunned by SMGD2!

I am in for a cargo part (SQ/SIN) during SMD3, the max for cargo would be FedEx at Memphis although not Star Alliance releated.

South America: Embrear

Africa: Do I need to say more?

Looking forward to SMD3!!!

I haven't been able to do either of the *MD's due to the fact they are in November and I can't take time off from school. I wish it could be held at another time of the year but I venture to guess that I am in the minority.

I also think it could be time for an around the world *MD :D
JFK/EWR-MUC-NRT-BKK-LAX-XXX (home airport) but I am sure that is cost prohibitive.

I wasn't able to join neither SMD1 nor SMD2, but I'd love to be on SMD3, especially if it's in Asia (my favourite continent when it comes to airlines and food).

My suggested itinerary:

DAY 1:
Arrival in Tokyo. Europeans arrive on the daily LH 388, and Americans on some American carrier. Sightseeing at NRT courtesy of NH.

DAY 2:
An NH 788 charter (if it has been delivered by then) HND-NGO. Visit to 787 suppliers, see a Dreamlifter being loaded. Charter NH 788 NGO-ICN.

DAY 3:
Guests of Asiana. An OZ 763 charter ICN-BKK.

DAY 4:
Guests of Thai at Don Muang maintenance base. Golf at the golf course between the runways. TG charter DMK-SIN.

DAY 5:
Guests of SQ. SQ charter SIN-SIN on an A388. In the evening, departure with SQ back to home country.

Alternative SMD extension for people with time and money: SIN-DPS-SIN with three days in Bali.

I'll re-iterate with my Cbuzz mod lipstick on - if you are unsure of the purpose of the thread, I would ask that going forward, you PM the SMD organisers to ask, rather than get the useful suggestions lost in meta-discussions.

Thanks for your assistance in this

Jenbel
Co-moderator, Communitybuzz!

How about making it some type of RTW itinerary? Such as XXX-MUC-NRT-XXX?

here's another idea, and perhaps it could be a pre-DO field trip. I've *always* wanted to go to the unclaimed baggage center. How fun would THAT be with a big group of crazy FTers????

My favorite parts of SMD2: A380 visit and LH reception in FRA, *A focus groups and reception in FRA, Charter flight, Doug Parker, Boeing tour, Starwood Seattle Sheraton reception. The events in Houston weren't that interesting (Award ceremony and CO reception - CO didn't really engage us (understandable given the merger, but a missed opportunity) - the PC crawl was the highlight in IAH for me.)

Suggestions for SMD3: Maybe a RTW trip which FT'ers can start in USA or Europe, but includes a portion in Asia. Even though we've been in FRA, given that *A is headquartered there, may be worth engaging them. Would be interested in doing gate agent for a flight or two and/or seeing an operations center in action. Plus an aircraft manufacturer or maintenance visit.

I second this, that would be alot of fun^^

As i do not have a U.S. visa anymore i would love if the major portion will not be in the U.S., similar to SMD1

As I commented in the survey, I would like to see it go to Asia, with 2 or 3 hanger, maintenance & operations tours of resident airlines. Perhaps some of the asian airlines' management would have some enthusiasm for our interest. A tour of an off-shore asian contract maintenance facility would be neat.

Where the tour would depart from doesn't matter. Start in SFO, LAX, ORD or NY and throw in a Europe stop at Airbus or *A carrier.