Star Mega DO III -- Post your ideas here
Jan 20, 2011 | 10:46 pm
#31
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 6
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!
).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!
Jan 21, 2011 | 8:31 am
#32
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: SK*G
Posts: 132
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.
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/
Jan 23, 2011 | 5:43 pm
#34
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TLV now - formerly LAS
Programs: King of Rental Cars, AA MM Gold, A3 Gold, BA Gold, SK Gold,Virgin Atlantic Gold, Hotel SuperElite
Posts: 7,423
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.
Jan 23, 2011 | 7:29 pm
#35
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,948
Jan 24, 2011 | 11:34 am
#36
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 6
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?
Last edited by anthstr; Jan 31, 2011 at 2:10 am
Feb 9, 2011 | 8:49 pm
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 7,323
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
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
Feb 10, 2011 | 12:52 am
#39
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AS DL Hyatt SPG/Bonvoy HHonors
Posts: 2,017
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.
But... won't we be missing the European contingent? It seems a shame not to have an intercontinental component to SMD.
Feb 10, 2011 | 2:57 am
#40
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: SK*G
Posts: 132
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.
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.
Feb 10, 2011 | 3:29 am
#41
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 775
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).
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).
Feb 10, 2011 | 3:50 am
#42
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,978
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?
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?
Feb 10, 2011 | 4:16 am
#43
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 30,426
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.
I would also welcome some European elements.