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While Asia would be interesting, I would like to concur with the previous posts that it may be cost prohibitive for some (me included :( ).
What about some of the smaller SA carriers in the EU? SAS/BMI/Swiss? (Not that I'm suggesting that LH would be a bad idea.) Looking forward to the prospect of attending SMD '11... Hopefully my first! |
Originally Posted by seacarl
(Post 15664496)
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. However, I expected a bit more of the CO event, e.g. a look behind the scenes of some kind in the afternoon. Having said that, the overall experience of SMD2 was of course extremely enjoyable and great!! Hard to top!! For SMD3, I would also be interested in a visit to Asia, as proposed by other FTers here. Indeed some event around NH's first 787 would be interesting, that is if NH will finally have received 787s by then... The following won't coincide with SMD3 (at best, or worst, it might coincide with SMD4 if the first delivery will be delayed) and might therefore call for a separate DO, so it's probably a bit OT. Anyway: As the SMD organizers have a good relationship with LH, wouldn't it be great if FT/SMD would be part of the delivery event of the first LH 747-8i, something akin to the delivery event of the first 777-300ER to NZ? Even more if FTers would also be able to be aboard the delivery flight (say PAE-SFO?), and be the very first to test out the new (new new) C seats etc? http://www.airlinereporter.com/2010/...ing-777-300er/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/airline...7625531665351/ |
Originally Posted by RCyyz
(Post 15636315)
I luved SMD1 and I really liked SMD2. Without being critical, I think SMD2 was somewhat diminished for me because:... ^
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Everyone thinks Asia is a great itinerary and I agree. Let's also consider Central/South America. This is a huge area of focus for *A with Avianca-Taca and Copa coming onboard shortly combined with TAM's emerging presence.
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Originally Posted by Mrp Alert
(Post 15719635)
Everyone thinks Asia is a great itinerary and I agree. Let's also consider Central/South America. This is a huge area of focus for *A with Avianca-Taca and Copa coming onboard shortly combined with TAM's emerging presence.
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Originally Posted by gene134
(Post 15704193)
As the SMD organizers have a good relationship with LH, wouldn't it be great if FT/SMD would be part of the delivery event of the first LH 747-8i, something akin to the delivery event of the first 777-300ER to NZ? Even more if FTers would also be able to be aboard the delivery flight (say PAE-SFO?), and be the very first to test out the new (new new) C seats etc?
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Update!
So let me throw this out there:
Alt I Chicago, visit to the Hyatt world HQ, United world HQ + tour of airport facilities, Charter ORD-YUL, visit to Air Canada and Bombardier Charter YUL-DEN, end up in Denver for a very special event Alt II Houston, visit to United Airlines Charter IAH-GRU, visit to TAM and Embraer overnight Charter GRU-DEN, end up in Denver for a very special event Pricing, Alt I: Y: 699, F: 1999 Pricing, Alt II: Y: 849, F: 2599 |
Both sound great to me! Prices seem quite fair, and the itineraries look super!
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I find Chicago/Montreal (Alt I) more appealing than Houston again.
But... won't we be missing the European contingent? It seems a shame not to have an intercontinental component to SMD. |
Both seem great indeed, although perhaps not IAH again, but ORD for Alt II as well:
Alt II Chicago, visit to the Hyatt world HQ, United world HQ + tour of airport facilities, Charter ORD-GRU, visit to TAM and Embraer overnight Charter GRU-DEN, end up in Denver for a very special event Would like to have the European contingent as well. |
Both options sound quite interesting, and similarly have to echo why not combine Chicago with option 2.
Choosing from IAH or ORD, the latter is a clear winner IMHO. Choosing from YUL/AC or GRU/JJ is more of a coin-toss (maybe slight preference to GRU). |
The South American option looks quite attractive, although a visit to ORD would be nice rather than IAH, unless there's something big happening in IAH.
It does rely on TAM staying with *A (i.e. due to the LATAM merger, anything could happen). I just think it'll be magnificent enough to have a chartered flight fly that long. Hopefully that will convince people to fill up the plane quickly and with less fuss. Yes, there is a higher price tag, but for the experience and the uniqueness of the events you can't put a price on that (and provided the AUD stays strong against the USD, I won't :)). Question would be who would stump up the aircraft to fly us to GRU, overnight it there and then fly to DEN. Most intriguing! Does anyone know if most countries should be alright to get into Brazil without having to explicitly apply for a visa? |
Sorry to pour cold water on the suggestions but some of us visited the UA HQ already during SMD I. Also is there anything to suggest we'll get a bit more than what we had in IAH during SMD II?
I would also welcome some European elements. |
Both sound great, but Alt II would be my preference.
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Alt II.
(need to start saving now. sigh.) |
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