Just to make certain this does not get lost, I posted it elsewhere too. I will also post it here, as I believe it is important and invite any comments comments:

Hey, lets get real around here. I do not think FT is "DYING", "BORING" or whatever. It aint perfect, but it sure aint bad, and sometimes it is quite good. I totally disagree with markbach with almost all the aspects he brings up. This appears to typify a troll post.

Since the first of this year I have racked up 70,000+ status miles with three RT to Europe, two 48's RT and one RT to HI. I have had approx 20 hotel stays. Bonuses (many/most learned by selectively reading FT) have added an extra 120,000 miles AND an extra 140,000 hotel points. And you think itsa dead? These bonuses equate to about 5 free RT and 16 free hotel nights. BTW what kind of travel did you do since 1 Jan 2001?

I do not think the % of crap has increased, and actually the number of "I just starting flying airplanes and I want to pay $100 or less and always fly F/C to Europe and can you wonderful FT people tell me how to do it?", or "How can I get upgraded to the highest elite levels in ALL TRAVEL PROGRAMS because I fly every other month to see my unemployed boyfriend and want to fly up front in the nice big seats and stay in suites......" etc postings have actually decreased.

My key is just skip the crap. Repeat, SKIP THE CRAP. I for one like cats, but I dont want to read about a disgusting cat site as posted on FT with a really weird strange non-cat title (BTW I did not go there). That is why I keep pleading for accurate titles. doc thankfully and really posts a lot to this board, but his titles are usually so precise and complete, I rarely waste any time with stuff I dont need to clutter my mind or computer with. His tip for a $55 room at Atlantic City was a gem. I for one have gotten great mileage and point bonuses because of the info posted here (thanks Vulcan, doc, olafman et al). I have even personally posted a few nice tips, nice bonuses, nice advice etc. I have answered 26 personal emails (I skipped a few) and gotten 6 emails saying thanks for my advice. I wonder how many of these markbach has posted. Please clue me in.

MisterNice

ps: and check the Hilton forum to see if I completely answered some important and unique questions posed by worldbanker. I believe I did and with accurate updated information (at least I hope I did). He wont get that on alt.rec.air or whatever.

GEEZ, MRnotNICE, take it easy on MARKBACH. He's like 18 years old. At 18 EVERYTHING is a big deal. With time comes perspective. I agree with you completely that Flyertalk is very useful and has not "lost" anything. I don't think the tone you use is respectful of your fellow flyertalkers though. It's like someone would say to the school bully, "pick on someone your own size...". If you need to vent about someone...I'm here for you. We have mixed it up before and both came out standing! We can mix it up in the world class smoke filled room brawl... (but, my second hand smoke might cause you lung cancer ). Anyway, for what it's worth... how about cutting the kid a little slack?

How about EVERYBODY, for the sake of FT and all of us, cuttin' EVERYBODY some slack!

Thanks - great post MisterNice.

I spend more time on FT than most, and learn new things EVERY day.

I phoned Hilton yesterday and in the space of two minutes they made both myself and a ladyfriend Gold VIP members. No status matching, no hotel stays needed, just a simple phone call, that EVERY reader of these boards from any country can make, and get the same deal. Courtesy the fine Hilton FT board. If you stay 4 times in next 90 days they give 50,000 bnous points as well.

With apologies to Mark Twain: "the reports of FT's death are greatly exaggerated" when great tips like that are routinely on these boards.

------------------
~ Glen ~

So I guess your post would typify a flame post.

Hi.

I've spent some time talking to Mark in the flyertalk chat room and he sounds pretty normal to me.

As for Mister Nice......

I think you have a tendency to be a little sarcastic. Maybe you don't see it. But that's the way it reads.
I suggest you read your post before you send it...or at least edit it after you post.

Otherwise my opinion has to do with those who live in glass houses...

Regards,
Dan

I too have had the privilege of talking to markbach in chat and he is indeed a very intelligent, very sophisticated, very interesting and very young (I am so jealous) man. I really look forward to meeting him in NYC and heartily encourage his sharing his most thought provoking ideas on line.

Wow, I wish I had his savvy at 18! I think we should all try to be friends with him so he will still talk to us when he is President, or whatever else he decides to be.



[This message has been edited by Punki (edited 02-14-2001).]

I have stayed out of a lot of the flames here but NOT this one.

If you know me, if a friend on this board is flamed I can't sit there and not say a thing (There was another post I was told to stay out of but I have told that friend of my support.)

I am still amazed that Markbach is only 18 years old. I have met the man first for Tribe FLyer's CLeveland get together... I don't remember if Mark told me ahead of time he was only 17 or 18. But he handles himself in person with maturity and intelligence and a good sense of humor.

(ducking right now) there are people twice Markbach's age who can use a few doses of his maturity and class. I never say names or where they are!

(end of ducking)

He knows a lot about frequent flying. His father is a frequent flyer and maybe that's how he got "the bug." We had a wonderful dinner together last year and I hope I reassured Mark's dad that we are not such a bad bunch, that we won't hurt his son.

Althought I think Mark can handle flames better than me. But that's a sign of his toughness as a road warrior.

Mark I don't think would have made his "death" post if he didn't care about the community... just expressing his concerns.

But as others have said if you don't like a post SKIP IT YOu don't care for Mark's post... go check out your favorite airline or hotel forum.

And if you ahve a problem with a poster, write them via e-mail. That could cut the fires on Flyertalk.

There's one thread in particular that reeks on General Traveltalk that 1. I don't think belongs there -- belongs in OMNI, and 2. is one of these "who cares?"

And it makes me ill.

Then there are those who don't care about the CAT references. Valid point, but I think it adds some clean color to the boards (I mean people ask me "so HOw are Yaz and Eddie.")

It's the little things like the cats and Markbach's future graduation that add dimention to a static bulletin board of tips and news releases.

I'm also glad that Mark is coming to my CATMAN DO TROIS It's a gathering of friends, and Mark certainly is one.

SO Mark hang in there. You'll be surprised at the size of your fan club here. and learn at 18 what took me years to find out:

Digress. Step away. and Focus on what brings you happiness in life.

Have a meowy day.

atta cat Catman, extremely well said!