Reflections on Two Years at Flyertalk
 

Well, folks, today is an anniversary for me. No, I'm not married. Two years ago today, on March 13, 2000, I had a "stupid" question about some award miles being deducted twice from my father's account. I joined a bulletin board for frequent flyer information to ask this one question (here it is), and 2 years and 1150 posts later. I'm still here. I think that's pretty darn cool.

I've learned a lot since I joined. I've earned over a hundred thousand miles that I can directly attribute to this board. Flyertalk has changed a lot since I joined: new people, new boards, new formats, new ideass. But, one thing, for the most part has remained the same. The friendships I have made from this board. Two years ago I never would have dreamed of travelling to San Diego, Seattle, New York, Dallas, or Baltimore to meet folks from the internet, with nicknames like "kokonutz", "B747-437B", "ClueByFour", etc. And I certainly never would have dreamed that I'd host 30 of these people for a weekend in Philadelphia.

I remember one afternoon I had just discovered the live chat feature of flyertalk, and I was just kind of lurking, and I mentioned how I wanted to attend an event in California, but there was no way I could afford the arfare and hotel. Out of the blue, this stranger messages me and asks for my home address, he said he would send me some discount certificates, so hopefully I could make it. I didn't know this guy from Adam, but I trusted him anyway, and sure enough the certificates arrived. A few months later, I had the opportunity to meet this person in Baltimore (the first Flyertalker I'd ever met) and thank him personally. He knows who he is (and I'm sure a lot of you can guess who it is), but he was the first person to befriend me on the boards.

One more anecdote...I once read a post from a flyertalker who went to school in Ithica, and was planning some travel. My best friend from high school went to Cornell, and I decided to email this poster, on a whim to see if he knew my friend. As I clicked on his profile, the email address seemed hauntingly familiar. Then, i realised that this stranger was my friend's freshman roommate, and current apartmentmate. In fact, I had slept on his floor when I went to visit my friend. Small world, eh?

So, before I get all misty-eyed, I just like to say thank you to all my friends on Flyertalk (even those who I have not yet met). Thank you to each and every one of you for adopting me into your community, and for being there when I needed you. Thank you for being my friends for the past two years, and I hope that Flyertalk lives forever. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Two years of markbach? Seems like a lifetime ...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

this (now 2 years old) 'newbie' even introduced me (a Swiss chocolate addict) to Krispy Kreem ...

Only two years? I thought you had been around forever.

I have to thank Mark... when I was a quiet newbie in chat who knew NO ONE on FT (and those hundred plus FTers I've met in the last six months probably laugh at this) and was ready to log out and not come back, Mark was the first person to pull me into the conversation and the one who encouraged me to keep coming back at first (night after night after night).

Mark has a heart of gold. No question.

Chat king!

I'll have a drink to celebrate this special moment!

Here's to many more years...

~CHEERS~

Scott

Happy Anniversary Mark!!!!!! And it's almost exactly the 1st anniversary our first face to face meeting - at the "Do" in NY last year!!

Here's to many, many more!

Well said markbach... well said!

harumph, harumph!

We meet in SAN about a year ago. I know that getting to ho to that FT event was special to you. Thank you for your contributions to FT. You are one of the people that make this place a great place to visit and learn. Keep it up Mark!

dallasflyer

Bien dicho, Sr. Bach. Feliz aniversario !!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Congratulations to you markbach. Thank you for your two years at FlyerTalk, your refreshing sense of humor and the valuable and enlightening content of your posts including your talented paparazzi contributions.

Always appreciated!

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If you keep on doing what you've been doing, you will keep on getting what you've been getting.

Happy Anniversary Mark!!!!!!

Is there another markbach I'm not aware of? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Congrats MB...its been a good 2 yrs on FT with you and a pleasure to meet you in NYC and SAN...and what a photographer!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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MRKEY

Congrats MB. I look forward to meeting you and your dad Friday night in PHL. You can cross off 1 more FT you have met.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Useless smiley post? Or is it?

Congrats on the birthday, Mark. See ya in Chat!

FewMiles..

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I dunno.

The markbach I know smokes cubans and drinks. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif Oh wait...was I supposed to say that!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Dan

Mark,

Thanks for such a thoughtful post.

You were one of the first FTers I met... and I appreciate your friendship.

Here's to a few more good years.

William

Happy Anniversary, markbach and sincere thanks to you for all you have added to FlyerTalk in the Two Years you have been on board. I especially thank you for all that you have taught me and the patience you have shown in helping me understand all this internet stuff.

You are proof positive that they are making kids smarter and smarter these days. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Mark, remember when we first met (Tribe Flyer's little ballgame in Baltimore?) I thought you were 35 by the way you write.

You are really 40. Wise beyond your years and a maturity that is refreshing.

And your dad's a cool guy too.

Happy belated anniversary. And many more.

(I Can't remember when I made my first post but it was probably during the ICe age!)

Since I met a bunch of FT'ers at once, I'm gonna call you the "Second FTer I met in person," Mark (I did meet TravelWeary at the airport, so she gets to be first). And might I add it was a pleasure. If your hard work on the PHL event was any indication, FlyerTalk has benefitted at least as much as you have from that two year association. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Congrats on the 2 years. Somebody should name you Vice President of Late Night Chatting or VP of cheezwizwits.

I've seen you in BWI and PHL, except we always miss each other at SFO. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Mark,

Congrats on your 2 years here! I have one suggestion for you though, next time that you throw a do, please stand up when you talk to the group! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif