It is that PiP (Party in P "_ _ _ _" ) planning time of year again………….

I had a great time at the last one, primarily due to the crowd, with the balance of the thrill coming from being in Cannes for a few days. We need to do it again!

Two questions that need answering for that to happen are "when" and "where".

The where that I would like to propose is Perth, Australia.

The when is a tougher question. We have some rather significant events planned for June, August, September and November on three different continents and I think that it will be rather tough to do all of them as well as a PiP in Perth. Moreover, I feel planning an FT event should be done only after considering what other commitments others might have in terms of FlyerTalk Do's etc. The organizers of the events already gathering steam would reasonably expect to not have other events planned right around or too close to their own events. Turnouts are always better when events are spaced out a bit anyway.

So here is what I have been tossing around as an alternative to squeezing in another major event this year:

Plan a PiP IV for 2003 and start working towards a FlyerTalk Do Challenge 2003. Maybe even give it a snazzy title like FlyerTalk Do Challenge 2003.

What I envision is a card which shall get stamped at each Do you attend and in order to qualify for the grand prize (whatever that ends up being) you must attend a Do on at least 4 different continents in 2003. The definition of a qualifying Do will have to be worked out as we go.

I am guessing that there will likely be events to get your card stamped at including:

A Dusseldorf Do
A few Do's on the East Coast
A SEA Do or two
A San Francisco breakfast Do or two with Rudi
A SIN run rendezvous Do
A PiP IV Do
A Single's Do
A SAN Do
A Freddies Do

Etc.

…and maybe……..

A Tokyo Do (so we can get that four continents idea working)
A BBQ Tour Do (if I can twist a certain Texas resident's arm into leading the way)

How about this idea? It would mean postponing the PiP until next year, but we could perhaps get a better turnout and not put so much strain on our collective wallets.

I am having a great time recently planning my schedule to allow me to attend as many of these this year as possible, and I would love to hear your thoughts on this idea for PiP postponement.

Mike

[This message has been edited by mjm (edited 02-22-2002).]

Perth sounds good to me, but Melbourne sounds better. It's a much richer city with loads to do. And it's a non-stop from the U.S. which is important for many of us.

As for Asia, rather than expensive Tokyo, why not KUL or SIN or BKK?

I guess it is Perth becauses of PP

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 02-22-2002).]

Rudi you got the idea. However, if we can identify a city as paradise like city then we can use that also. Honolulu is the grandfather city for these parties and we can use that style of city selection if everybody is up for it.

Tokyo would just be one possibility. It occured to me that as a transfer point for many flights to the rest of Asia, we might be able to do something here easily. I would love to do SIN, KUL, etc. as alternatives, but I know that most of the year I am here and can host one here even if it is just for one night. The cost issue is without question true though so we would have to be creative if one were done here.

More importantly though guys and everyone, how about the timing being next year as opposed to this?

Mike

[This message has been edited by mjm (edited 02-22-2002).]

I like this idea!!!

The FT Do-Down Under!!!

I missed Party in Provence but I am not going to miss this one. Looks like a great chance to finally use some KLM points.

Perth! Perth! Perth!!! (if only I really did get three votes...)

Jan/Feb 2003 would be fine by me. Nice weather that time of year in Oz I hear, too...

Award tix to OZ are much easier to get in the winter (June, July, Aug). And paid fares are much lower as well. Just a thought.

Good point, Geo. Barring a huge cash windfall or a big Oz fare sale, I'm going to be going for an award ticket myself, should Oz be our destination.

Ouch!

Oops, you mean Techgirl this time, right?



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The perfect ladies' man is a perfect gentleman.

Have never been to Perth os that strikes my fancy, however in past events, a lot of people like to use their miles to attend and i know that awards to Australia are often hard to come by. I think that we really try to do something domestic in the US, not because we're trying to be best for the hmies, but because it still provides the best chance for those who really love FT to get toether. I think we've found over time that the destination is always cool but we tend to still spend most if not all our time in each others company.

I think PIP II in Hawaii is a great idea or even a popular destination that most everyone visits anyway - such as San Francisco. But, seeing over a 100 FTers at one of the next events would truly be way cool.

How about a PIN - party in Napa which would allow some great times, and great side attractions?

I'd suggest here at the House of Miles but honestly, there's really not much to satisfy the adventurous for most FTers.

Thank you, Randy, for the suggestion of a domestic gathering. While Cannes had less than 50 in attendance, and DUS is really Bernie's gig, I think domestic (North America) is realistic with all the cutbacks in travel that so many of us have had to deal with this year.

What exactly is the PIP? The ultimate party meant for all FTers to attend? Or a party at a exotic location that costs a lot for a plane ticket and accommodations? I think it would be great to go to Australia, but the time and money is not available.

I really liked the FAQ in Montreal, and the Catman Do III in New York City. Both had wonderful organization (thank you so much, flyme2, brigett, cat, premex and holly, and whoever else I forgot to thank) and I met so many FTers. Not that other get-togethers were not organized or anything negative. I just think something more feasible for the majority of FTers would be nice.

I want people to organize exotic meetings so I can read trip reports and dream, who am I to be against travel? But it would be nice if every year there was a party for the soul purpose of meeting other FTers and getting to know each other. San Francisco, Chicago, New York City, and Washington, DC are all great cities with *activities*. Public transportation, priceline opportunities, great restaurants, etc. are plentiful.

This is my 2 cents. I would meet another FTer at Burger King to visit and chat, it's the company that counts!

Linda

Penang anyone?

While I have not attended any FTer DO's, it has not been for lack of interest . . . I certainly would love to put faces to names of some chat buddies.

I therefore would add a great big "DITTO" to Linda's comments . . . making it four cents' worth, I guess.


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It's not a perfect world.

SYD or MEL if Oz, however I would also suggest JNB