After replying to another thread here on Flyertalk, I began thinking about the sorts of things we talk about and how we all get along. There is a significant delta between the stated objectives of the bulletin board and actuality. So I pulled together a few thoughts about this place and the people in it.

Staying on topic...
In theory, Flyertalk is for discussing frequency programs, but in practice nothing is considered off-topic. The common factor is a love of frequent travel, but not necessarily a ceaseless discussion about it.

Imagine you've just walked into a pub / picnic / whatever. There are hundreds of people there, and they all have one thing in common. Travel.

Some stay at hotels, some fly, some are flight attendants or pilots, some just watch, but they all love travel. A few people seem to do most of the talking, but anybody is welcome to join in at any time. We'll either listen or ignore or flame them.

The title of this bulletin board is Flyertalk, ie. talk about flying. Can you honestly expect to go to an airline lounge / pilots break room / etc and the only thing you'll hear is technical flight conversation?

The people in this place...
You'll see some of that here, but mostly this is a group of people sharing ideas, laughing and joking with each other. Over time, people form bonds with one another. I certainly come here more for the comraderie these days than the frequent flying information that is being passed back and forth.

There are hundreds of different travellers here, from around the world. Rich businessmen, constant adventurers, students and families travelling on a budget.There are people in here with PhDs rubbing shoulders with people who can't spell PhD, and we all get along (most of the time). There are regulars, and there are prolific posters. Some are more articulate than others. They don't represent a clique either, nor, necessarily, the ethos of Flyertalk. There's more to posting than proliferation.

People are invariably not what you expect them to be, or to look like what you expect them to look like (with the possible exception of kokonutz and his kokosheep). Many may not be the age you assume, nor the sex you assume, nor even the sex that they were at birth.

It's also a terrible mistake to assume that posters on Flyertalk only know each other in cyberspace. Flyertalkers meet in real life regularly, frequently, and to the warm approval of owners of bars all over the world. I regularly attend FT events and meet FTers in my town because I enjoy the social side of FT; I enjoy it much, much more than I enjoy the pure FF discussions.

For this reason, a thread may seem like a conversation between several friends precisely because that is what it is. But it's not only regulars who are welcome to these meets. It doesn't matter whether you're a regular, a part-time poster, newbie or lurker. If you fancy coming to one of the advertised events or parties then either just turn up for a event or let whoever's organising the party know you'd like to attend. We think you'll find that you'll enjoy yourself.

On being "right"...
Whatever you may think, it's an absolute certainty that there is someone on the bulletin board who knows more than you do on a given subject. Going in with all guns blazing is usually a terrible error, and you will be made to look an idiot to the general amusement of everyone else.

By the same token, there are some posters whose knowledge of computers, search engines and ISPs is quite frightening. Again, start throwing your weight around and it's quite possible that something from your past or present may surface to embarrass you and entertain others.

A final thought...
Join in or leave, it won't matter. The only option you don't have is to change the way this place operates. It can't be done. If you don't like it ... well, you know what you can do, don't you?


[This message has been edited by MatthewClement (edited 07-09-2002).]

Thanks for the very eloquently expressed thoughts on the greatness of FT, Matthew.

Needless to say, I agree

Matthew, what a wonderful summary of the FT mentality.

I'd vote for parts or all of it to be 'required reading' for any new FT sign-ups. Excellent...

Pardon my ignorance, but that I gotta hear about.

Very well written, good prose!!

Well, you could start here if you really wanted to do some thorough research, but it was mostly a tongue-in-cheek remark.

Aw, that was pretty disappointing

Very well written.

well said, Matthew!

golf clap

If only everyone agreed.

The problem is that there are a lot of control freaks out there.

I am a control freak but only when it concerns my personal life.

Great Post!

[This message has been edited by wingless (edited 07-09-2002).]

How true it is for a lot of us !
Maththew, thanks for sharing your thoughts. A wonderful insight!

GREAT comments. I totally agree with you

Matthew, very nice sentiment.

And, perhaps for a few old FTer's as well...

Bravo. Well done.