I agree also. We have all been solicited for donations from Randy, but I will be waiting to donate based on the team chosen.

With no offense to the newbies (who will hopefully become valuable contributors over time), I would be more likely to pledge $$ to back "known quantities".

I agree with this.

WAY too little information posted by them however. Re Music tastes, and favourite Pizza toppings. And whether they snore and/or hog the Doona. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif



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~ Glen ~ Calling all United 1K Members - please join .. www.1Kflyers.com

I would like to add my name to the consideration list. I am writing this post from Santiago on a weekend ski & mileage run.

I have traveled to more than 65 countries around the world on six continents. I can make the time as I´m between jobs. In the last 10 months I´ve been to Bali, China twice, Australia, Ireland, Japan, Chile, Germany and numerous U.S. states, all on separate trips.

I hold Platinum status on NW, Premier Executive on United and Platinum on AA. I speak some Russian, Arabic and a little Spanish and am quite versatile in going on a moment´s notice. I have also lived in Ukraine and Egypt and am quite adaptable.

Moreover, I am an unemployed marketing executive, so I can use my marketing and public relations skills to get additional promotional, PR and fundraising support.

Thanks for the consideration.

[This message has been edited by leiterk (edited 09-02-2002).]

A few thoughts for those of you who are waiting until the teams are picked until you contribute.

Ask yourself if the charities that are the reason for this adventure are worth it. EVERYTHING ELSE IS SECONDARY.

Have you been helped by this board at all??

Over the past 4 years this board has helped me more than I can say to afford travel during my retirement. I have even flown first class a few times, an extravagance I only dreamed of before. Some of the dreams of the people that the charities are helping are much more basic, like food, shelter, and basic medicine. It is a privilege to give back in small measure what has been given so generously by this board.

Please reconsider and give what you can. The cause is just and deserving.

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Some women are born wise, others achieve wisdom, still others have wisdom thrust upon them as they wonder through the posts of this board. Thanks one and all.

I generally prefer to make my charitable donations direct to the charities of my own choice... Doctors Without Borders is one I've supported for years as I know and have worked with many of the physicians who participate.

I make exceptions to my own charitable giving policies when I can donate "through" individuals I know who are doing something (Three-Day Walk, Team-in-Training, Life Walk, etc.) and I'm more likely to give MORE to those charities through the individual as not only a pledge of support for the charity but also as a show of my personal support for that individual and their undertaking.

I am not only waiting for the individual to be named, but for all the facts to be disclosed as well... how the individuals will be picked, what they personally have to contribute, and how any winning prize money will be distributed.

After that, I'll make my decision of how much to contribute.

I know Randy's done enough givaways in the past that hopefully he can shed some light on what the safest method is if we want to go by luck/chance.

I'm just a little worried that a free around-the-world trip to this group is a bit like dangling raw meat in front of a lion! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

(oh, and I just found out last night I need to be in Ecuador in October, so I'm disqualifying myself from contention!)

I think this sounds fantastic. I would love to throw my hat into the ring as well. I have all the time in the world to do something like that. I'm currently a flight student with a very flexable schedule. I've traveled the world over. And think my young mind, and travel savy personality would be a great asset.

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Somewhere in the world a Boeing jet is taking off or landing every second —24 hours a day, seven days a week.

I'm interested!

I'll add another dimension to it... bringing my 9 month (will be nearly 11 months at time of travel) daughter along. She has already logged 22 flights internationally, and what a way to end my maternity leave! Together we have oodles of qualifications... I'll wait until a formal way of showing quals is established before I let it all out now.

Not sure that she would count as a "Team Member" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Three can travel for the price of two, and have way more fun!

Also a suggestion for selecting participants... how about team members being from different countries? Logistically (LA departure) would make sense members from western hemisphere.

lesliep brings up an important point re: geographic location of members.

GE2002 starts in LA, ends in NY. Participants are responsible for airfare to LAX and from NYC. So, pencil that into your 'expense' budget.

Remember, Randy/FT community fundraising only covers registration; GE2002 estimates $2000-$2500 in additional expenses (customs, taxes, many meals, some ground transport, etc.....and now airfare to LA and from NY!).

Looks like the 'buy-in' for this event is realistically between $2500-$3000 per person, assuming the registration fundraising is 100% successful.

So, based on funding your own 'expense' money of $2500-$3000, are all current prospects still game?

I'm sure no one wants to see the selection process based solely on financial means, but
it is clear that there are going to be 'hard costs' to be absorbed by the FT Team.

I would love to be added to the list if possible. I've been to 5 continents, love to travel, and would be able to take a 23 day physical beating (I'm 23 years old). I am also great a solving problems (I came up with the InsideFlyer-->Starwood-->Qantas-->Concorde idea).

Anyway, if the list is still open, I would like to be added.

...

[This message has been edited by fallinasleep (edited 10-01-2002).]

I know, I know... Looks like just another newbie adding self to list.

However, I have been on this board for a while and just tend to be a quieter member. Must say, though, that I have gained quite a bit of information that has assisted me in several journies.

I'd love to participate any way possible, regardless of finances... For me, there's a will, so I'll find a way!

Please direct us to the "official" application when it's posted.

Thanks and good luck to all! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Did any other "possible contestants" run a sub 1:30 half-marathon while they were hung over and operating on 4 hours of sleep this holiday weekend? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I'm still interested. I've got the time and can come up with the money. I speak English (native), Spanish (very strong), and some basic French learned as a child in Canada. Also, I can read Italian and Portuguese.

I've traveled to 40+ countries on six continents including some very scary places at the worst times in recent history. About 50% of my international travel is done in a very adventurist style - riding local buses and staying in homes or small pensions.

I have absolutely no difficulty working closely with new people for extended periods of time. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

No, but I can run really fast when being chased by angry men with guns. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Well, I nominate myself (and I'd really LOVE to do this!!!).

Here are my qualifications:

I love to travel. Period. I love to explore. I love to be on the go. I love challenges. I love interacting with other people. And I love winning (especially on behalf of Flyertalk).

The thought of spending 23 days going who- knows-where in search of who-knows-what, using public transportation and my travel savvy (along with trying to become basically proficient in a few foreign languages), sounds like about the most fun I've ever had. Up until now, the most fun I've had was skydiving, scuba-diving and getting married (not necessarily in that order, honey). But an adventure like this would blow away the rest.

A few more qualifications. I can do exchange rates in my head. I can navigate through even the most treacherous airports. And I can eat a filet in under three minutes (if on a dare).

And the best qualification yet: My wife even said she'd let me do this. Can you imagine that? The same person who begrudgingly lets me fly 24 hours to Singapore and return 7 hours later, just so I can upgrade her when we fly to Italy. She said I could do this!!! Wow.

Hopefully, I've been a good citizen of Flyertalk the last few years that people would consider me a viable entrant. If chosen, I will do my darnedest to represent the community with pride, determination and a little off-beat humor. And hopefully I could help bring home the win, allowing us to grow this community even more.

So in conclusion, I respectfully nominate myself. (Wow. It felt like I just ran for junior class vice president!!).

PremEx2000

(a.k.a. Mike Lieber)

I'll second umguy. He'd be perfect for this challenge! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Gosh, I should just change my name to 'well beyond falling asleep!' But seriously folks, I was ACTUALLY able to get a kitchen pass to do this. I won't say what the caveat was. This is one of the times that it is good to be 1) Self-employed, and 2) Possessing a client base that faithfully pays the invoices in a timely fashion!

If I went and essexjay wasn't my travel buddy, you would have to hold your breath until your face turned blue. What a rush, checking out another boatload of new brews to put up against the finest the Beavers have to offer.

As someone who usually flies 'by the seat of their pants' (no pun intended) I find the thrill of not knowing where the next day will lead both fun and challenging. It's the best way to travel. The new friends that are made and the great 'war' stories to tell your kids; oh, hold me back.

Regardless of the final financial responsibility, put my name in the hat! You only live once and you can't take it with you. I no longer fly 100,000 miles a year and I'm down to elite on just one airline. Although I know how to say 'beer' in over 100 dialects, I don't speak ten languages; only one, the universal language of a friendly smile. But I do know how to ask the cost of something in about 20 languages! And my wife thought I never listened to what she was saying?

A sense of adventure and a free spirit serve as my guiding light. In Switzerland I refereed American football with a crew that had three women officials. They were so much a part of the crew that we all showered together after the game. I had food poisoning in Prague so bad that I thought nothing could be worse, even death! I danced on the Berlin Wall 11/89. I wrote graffiti about the East Germans that made the AP wire (They came. They saw. They did a little shopping.) right where JFK made his stunning speech. So what if it makes no real sense in Deutsche to say, "Ich bin ein Berliner?" I smoke cigarman's best without regret. Who could care if they're not kosher in the States? I've toasted kings and queens with catman and Sam Adams. OK, so they were drag queens in Dusseldorf and it was Dunkelhof. I've been to the best winefest in the World in Bad Durkheim and been all but undressed by, what was her name, while my wife watched and couldn't believe her eyes. I've traded Marlboro's and Playboys for uniform insignia and Soviet contraband while passing through Checkpoint Alpha and Checkpoint Bravo. But never did make that river crossing with the Contra's way down south. I had the worst case intestinal crud from the vendor pistachios at the bullring in Zaragoza, Spain.

So, I ask...what will the next adventure find in the book of cultural awareness? I'd love to be fortunate enough to find out, disappointed if I wasn't, but happy for those who are actually selected to take this plunge. So, where DOES the rubber meet the road?

I nominate Chexfan

He is well traveled and loves all the physical parts of the travel that would be required.

Just a suggestion

[This message has been edited by wingless (edited 09-05-2002).]

Hey, it we are somehow voting, Chexfan would be a very fine choice IMO. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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~ Glen ~ Calling all United 1K Members - please join .. www.1Kflyers.com



[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 09-05-2002).]

I believe we have

3 for Chexfan

auh2o
wingless
ozstamps

Any more votes for Chexfan?

[This message has been edited by wingless (edited 09-05-2002).]

So it would seem he has just caught up with:

fallinasleep (3) and essxjay (3).

I saw one vote for umguy.

Why are people voting already when nothing formal has even been presented by FlyerTalk (i.e. Randy or the Talk Board)?

I agree, blairvanhorn, why are people starting to vote? Personally I would not be able to do this due to financial restriction, but don't think people should be doing this. Reading over this thread shows that there are many very qualified candidates here, probably just because they are unknown to people they are not getting support. You wouldn't want people to think that this has already been decided and perhaps not even enter and then lose out on someone really great?

Before any decision is made, the basis on which the decision is to be made must be decided such as a list of attributes. Then you have a basis of informed evaluation. This basis has not even been set yet, so my vote is, stop the voting and stumping for your favorite candidates, this is not an election.

Actually, as candidates go Chexfan is not my favorite FTer.

I really don't know him.

I am just going by the information that I know. I am good friends with another candidate though.

I based it more on the fact that if I was stranded in the stranded in the middle of the desert with one canteen, and one FTer, Chexfan would be the only FTer that I thought could get us out of there alive.

I have been on FT since 1998. I know people who are more travel sauvy but they either work to much or they would not be able to handle the physical aspect that is necessary.

This is not a formal vote, just a personal vote




[This message has been edited by wingless (edited 09-05-2002).]

Reading back on the thread it looks like lots of folks have nominated/voted lots of others for weeks. Great to see the terrific interest and input in this, which is what I am sure Randy was seeking. I have not even discussed these posts with him, but Chexfan's post of Sept 3 sealed my vote:

He is a sure fire shoe-in for a RTW with that stamina. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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~ Glen ~ Calling all United 1K Members - please join .. www.1Kflyers.com

I am also interested in participating. I can get the time off work and have the financial resources required. The two attributes that I think I bring to the challenge are 1) my great sense of humor who knows when my jokes will come in handy? 2) a passion for travel. I enjoy it - pure and simple. I haven't been to all continents (only 4), I speak English very well http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif and try many other languages. I have the willingness of spirit and mind to do what it takes to succeed.

As far as music, well, of course, Bruce! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

lol http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Glen, in case you missed it, they trip is to be done on AIRCRAFT, the contestants will not be expected to run around the world http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

ScottC. As this trip involves flying in India and China at least, I'd back the fleet of foot. That attribute might come in VERY handy. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif



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~ Glen ~ Calling all United 1K Members - please join .. www.1Kflyers.com

---

Yes, I had a similar thought!

My wife gave me a green light too! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Excerpted from her reply to me " ...If you went you could consider it your "XXX"th birthday present...

...It is okay with me in general, but I will not be entirely rearranging my schedule for such a long period of time. You love to travel. It sounds like something good for you. Let me know what you decide."

---

As many already know, there are few, if any, FT'ers who have been to more countries than I have in over 30 years of travel experience. And I personally have no difficulty with either the required time, nor the financial committment, and FWIW, I would surely go off to compete as effectively as possible.

Yet ONLY if there were not other equally or better qualified individuals willing to do so on behalf of FlyerTalk.

IMHO, there are several highly qualified FT's on this list, aside from myself! Some have already even committed a donation to the FT effort and/or pledged back any winnings! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Regarding a final selection of two representatives for "Team FlyerTalk:"

I would think we would all surely want the absolutely best qualified people, no?

Is it a popularity contest?

Is it an essay writing contest?

IMHO, NO!

Rather we should all be, or rather have been, listing objective, relevant criteria to consider so that Randy & Co might make the best selection! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

The qualifications, IMHO, in no specific order of importance, should include, but not be limited to FT rep's being:

interested
easygoing
committed
intelligent
analytical
organized
detail-oriented
disciplined
respectful
agreeable
flexible
adaptable
(physically) fit
good sense of humour
crisis loving!
widely travel experienced
verbal/well spoken
indefatigueable
optimistic
culturally savvy & sensitive
diplomatic
puzzle/riddle loving
logical
practical
resourceful
well connected
posess multiple passports
excellent sense of direction! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
being a bit of a "schmooze" wouldn't hurt either! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

In short, rep's should truly be great present and future FlyerTalk ambassadors!

Best of luck to all! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

-Mark

Isn't that illegal? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Seriously though, I agree with your post.

I agree with you Doc.

It's not going to be a popularity contest but it will most likely be someone who is well known to other FTers.

How else would anyone know about all of those traits without knowing them?

Good luck to everyone.

I would nominate myself if I:
Had the time
Had the money
Was in shape
Like to exercise
Had patience
Liked the heat
Spoke more languages

Otherwise, I would be perfect. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Reviewing my qualifications...

I'm in okay shape, but I'm no marathoner. I speak only English. My international travel experience includes 6 months in Japan and a couple of trips to England, but no visits to the "third world". I'm a decent writer, I'm easy to get along with, and very tolerant of others. I've met a few Flyertalkers, though not as many as most, especially those who attend Do's regularly.

However, as I read all the posts here, it seems to me, from an objective viewpoint, that there are others here who would likely perform better than I would on this endeavor. In recognition of that, I am hereby withdrawing my name from the selection process, whatever it may be.

Having said that, the time off and the cost should not be obstacles for me, so in the unlikely event that unforseen events prevent the selectee(s) from taking this journey, I expect that I would be available as a last minute replacement, if needed.

swag
Team player, just not first string.

I also vote for Chexfan.

Have the contestants been decided?

Lisa - the Talkboard is possibly working at a feverish pace on this, and many other important matters. Or possibly they are not. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum...ML/000075.html

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~ Glen ~ Calling all United 1K Members - please join .. www.1Kflyers.com

And if the Talkboard is working on this, how will they figure into the selection process if a Talkboard member is among the candidates?

Some secret mysteries of this universe none of us mere mortals are privy to. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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~ Glen ~ Calling all United 1K Members - please join .. www.1Kflyers.com