I guess I fall into the same camp as PremEx, Catman & QL (even you too Mr Nuts you J31 loving guy) as this is still my most frequently visited web site and I tend to focus on UA, Community and Itineraries. However, some forums such as "The Buzz" don't interest me at all anymore.

It is invevitable as the community grows the dynamics of the conversations change. I agree with Merry on the trashing customer service comments. I would like to think FT is above all that. And perhaps I am too quick to defend my favorite airline, but they take very good care of me and while they are not perfect it is still very good. Like I am perfect myself anyway.

Yes, it is different place from that I stumbled across than back in the fall of 1998, and it is still a gem of a site. But then again, would we all still be here if it had changed for the worse.

Merry, I'm glad to see you back again. Tree, where are you?

Some great frequent flyer tips in this thread, eh?

Are you all just wasting time here?

Just for the record, I love reading about customer service experiences, good or bad.

I agree with Quiet Lion. What better place to post Customer Service problems?

I personally try to resolve all my issues directly, but when all my good faith efforts fail, I definitely think this is the place to turn for advice and suggestions. I have, for example, left serveral messages for Denise Harvill with regard to the attempted theft of my laptop by UAL employees in January and to date have received no response. I plan to write her later today and will post my letter.

I think companies have a duty to treat their customers well and if they fail to do so, they must accept responsibility for the consequences of their failure to act.

[This message has been edited by Punki (edited 03-06-2000).]

arturo sea thes es guud thred untel pingpong postie.

------------------
loving, caring, honest, intelligent, empathetic, creative, and giving.

I've been a lurker in FT for a month or so.

As someone who has resumed air travel after a nine year layoff I am astonished at how much the industry has changed in those years.

This forum has been a tremendous benefit in getting me back in the groove as it relates to air travel. I've learned a great deal which I have been able to apply immediately and a great deal which I have filed away for future reference.

This forum is fortunate indeed to have a "membership" of savvy travelers who share their experiences and knowledge for the benefit of all. For that, I am most appreciative.

Speaking from a "newbie" perspective I find it quite easy to pick and choose those topics that interest me and skip over those that don't. If in doubt, I open the topic. Often times I find useful info within.

Hey Sand Wedge,

Welcome to FF heaven. It's good to see some "newbies" joining our discussions. What I always remember is if I pick up a good idea, then I try to leave one. Speaking for myself, I look forward to your contributions.

Betcha can't hit a 1 iron.

Like LIFE.. There are good and bad
things.. That goes for customer
service issues as it relates to
airlines, hotels, credit card
companies, long distance companies
etc...
If there is a blank statement like
I think XYZ airline customer service
stinks! With nothing to
back up the statement. That is
wrong.. Sunstantiate what your
saying.. I'll be the first one to
admit .. If I see a wrong.. Like
that $1.00 surcharge initiated for
electronic tickets by Delta.(They
dropped it
after customer feedback)I'd be one
of the first people to post on FT
about it. That move was BAD customer
service by Delta.. Also another
customer service issue on the
Healthy Choice mileage certificates
thing. I hope the information
EVERYBODY posted benefited someone.
I know it helped me... In addition
I'd be one of the first the praise a
organization that has done right..OR
corrected a customer service
problem..

Just my five cents... on your
statement on the customer service
issue.This board has supplied
valuable information to me.In turn I
hope that a few of my posts have
benefited others....

Mike Mahoney
P.S. Change has it's good and bad
points. There is no doubt this has
occured on our beloved Flyer Talk!
[This message has been edited by
MIKE MAHONEY (edited 03-06-2000).]

[This message has been edited by MIKE MAHONEY (edited 03-06-2000).]

Originally posted by JAWS_II:

Betcha can't hit a 1 iron.

JAWS_II

Thanks for the warm welcome.

The five wood replaced the 1 iron years ago. Worst $40 I ever spent on golf equipment.

My .02:

More is less.

There has been a great deal of growth in the number of people posting here. I can't blame anyone for wanting to have a different experience of FT than I do...as long as that experience doesn't ruin it for the rest of us. If conga lines, point bonus offers, etc are enjoyed, then let them be enjoyed. When they prevent me and others from sharing thoughts about frequent travel, then it is not acceptable.

We can't and shouldn't turn the clock back and tell all of the people who joined "our home" in the last year to pack-up and go away. So the suggestion is add extensions to the house, give everyone their own room, and ask everyone to respect boundaries.

I don't want more forums because I'd like to read them. I want more forums because others can post to their hearts content there, and I can avoid them. As we each choose the forums to view and track, we each can enjoy our unique Flyertalk experiences.

I too read the Buzz, General Travel, then my program forums (Continental, Hilton) in a typical visit. When I have more time, I check OMNI and the Community. I check trip reports about once a month. Boy, would I appreciate it if there were one or two new forums that would effectively siphon off the unrelated stuff from the forums I read into their own area.

As for "complaints", we each can decide for ourselves if one is legitimate, but reading about other frequent traveler's experiences (good and bad) and how the company involved responds (or doesn't) to complaints is one of the most important parts of my Flyertalk experience. I have made quite a few travel decisions based upon what I've read here. Companies should be aware of the fact that a bad experience posted here will affect their bottom line in some way - alienating one customer will loose them more than one. The reverse is also true, as I've given business to companies that have been praised here.

So more (forums) is less (unrelated posts in the ones I read), and I can't wait to again enjoy what for me will be a return to a more SPAM free Flyertalk.




[This message has been edited by NJDavid (edited 03-08-2000).]

Speaking as another new participant, it seems like a matter of separating the wheat from the chaff.

In the scant weeks I've been reading the boards here I have learned so much that it amazes me. Some evenings I feel like I'm sitting at the feet of travel masters just soaking up the atmosphere.

Yes, I've waded through a lot of whining and complaining but I've seen evidence of great insight, humor and friendship -- qualities that gave a perpetual lurker the incentive to join in.

None of us who have come to the party late can truly appreciate the dynamic that brought FlyerTalk to what it is, but I for one am grateful that it's still here and still pretty unique.

The wheat seems worth it.

ThirdDegree,

Welcome to the board! If felt the same way as you do when I first joined, first by lurking and then by posting. You will have to make it to one of the get togethers that are posted. You will find out how enjoyable the people are and you will feel most welcome. Besides, your picture will probably end up on the NET!

Thanks, newself. I look forward to the opportunity to attend an event and meet some of the faces behind the IDs!

I've lurked on this issue for a while. I guess it is time to chime in.

I tend to think that more is better. As long as threads have meaningful names, and are started in the correct Forum, I see no objection to a broad range of travel related discussion.

I typically go to the day's active topics, reading most in my regular fora (AC, CP, UA, *) and interesting looking ones in others. It doesn't bother me in the least that there are dozens of new or revived threads that I'm not interested in--I just skip them.

I think the breadth of information is helpful. I am interested not only in FF programs, but also is general travel experiences.

In reviewing various threads trying to get caught up after a brief time offline, it seems that there's again been a substantial increase in bickering and a (related?) decrease in information sharing!

What is the problem after all?

I hope Boomer won't mind my quoting him here!
"My best suggestion to Catman and everyone else? Treat Flyertalk for what it is, a place to share ideas and comments, no more, no less. We aren't talking about world peace here, we're talking about miles for heaven's sake. This isn't life and death, lets not treat it that way."

For heavens sakes, perhaps we can remember that the boards are/should be a great place to learn and to be somewhat playfully entertained for 24hrs/day. Specific personal feelings regarding one anothers' differences should NOT be discussed online in FT, IMHO.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Not a "new" suggestion!

As Randy noted after the last ugly episode that became so egregious as to lead to deletion of the thread:

TALK TRAVEL

Were talking airlines, hotels, miles and points! Perhaps's we can maintain some focus and have threads dealing with these specific issues and NOT bearing remarks about posts and posters!

Let's PLEASE ALL let the other silliness go!

We will surely ALL benefit!

[This message has been edited by doc (edited 09-08-2000).]