Well, now that Randy is 'official' with his eye-popping $10K offer and his whipping up the 'official' FT Community sponsorship fund, the burning question is.............

selection/qualification criteria??


Its been fascinating reading the posters' compelling reason for being chosen- travel experience, FFP status, contacts abroad, self-sufficiency, enough time and/or money, etc

May I add an intangible qualification: the ability to get along with a close-to-a-perfect-stranger for 12-14 hours a day for 23 days straight....without ripping their guts out! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I can't remember the last time in 12 years that I spent that much time in such close proximity to my wife!!!

Anyhow, this post is not meant to start a 'how-happy-go-lucky-you-are' bandwagon of testimonials. Just something to think about as the process moves forward here.

So, instead of my travel-related experience (which would be competitive to many prospects here), here's some personal compatability stuff!

Music:
Steely Dan, AC/DC, Earth Wind & Fire
Food:
Anything spicy
Sleep Habits:
Don't snore, can sleep with lights, radio or TV on, don't hog the covers (may or may not be relevant here)
Propensity to Yell:
Only to hail taxis or if I happen to be drowning; never as a response to conflict or stress



[This message has been edited by beaubo (edited 09-01-2002).]

I think this is a mavelous idea...What we really should be really thinking about is how we could use everyone, sure someone has to travel but to have FTers in each location or as many as we can to help along the way would help with the win.

It would be a fantastic chance for anyone, I would love to do it, but I would also like to help who ever is choosen.

Count me in any way you like. miles to $$

Good Luck.!

This sounds like fantastic fun! I'm always up for pushing my body, my mind, and my travels. How can I apply?

[This message has been edited by consultingmiles (edited 09-01-2002).]

Nope

Let's go!!! NEW team candidate!!!
HQCMDT
Considerations:
Experience:
Travel worldwide
Former Military Intelligence Officer
Culture savy
Detail Oriented (Project Manager)
Crisis Manager (IBM)
Ready to go!!
Count me in!!

I would like to throw my name in the hat aswell for this little adventure.

My qualifications as as follows;
I am a corporate pilot who travels almost daily for work and when I am not, I travel for pleasure. I have an excellent knowledge of N.America (including LA and NYC), Europe, and Central/Sout America. I have lived In the US/Canada/ and Carribean (Turks and Caicos).

As a Pilot I fly with people I have never met or hardly know as often as I fly with friends, regardless, we as flight crew are placed in a situation where it is required to be together in a small space for 8-14 hrs a day and then go to a hotel, and eat/drink/ hangout in a new city ect..as such I believe I have the people skills to get along with almost anybody.

Lastly, I am going to be a new father at christmas and this could be last chance to go anywhere other than Safeway for diapers for a few years.........

Marc

Okay, I'm in. I can stump my expense money - around $2500? - as well, if needed.

My overriding attribute is the will to win - this is no fanciful walk in the park. The name of the game is to get and get out as quickly as possible. Travel light and travel fast.

As was mentioned earlier, "resourcefulness, crisis management, quick adaptability and your rudimentary survival skills" will likely be needed, and I have all that - along with orienteering, runnning scouting groups, building a lean-to in the woods, whatever.

"other criteria should be physical durabilility, iron stomachs and relative lack of susceptability to illness." again fit with me, plus I have a doctor ready to vacinnate me as we speak. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Plus, I can sleep anywhere, which is key in an endrance race of this sort!

An added advantage, as much as I do not like to mention this, is that I am not carrying a US passport on the trip might - I say might - make for a smoother journey, depending on where we would be headed.

In any case, I'm ready to go, or be a backup to go.

Oh, and yes, Steely Dan is fine by me! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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

I'd love to partake in this and have the time available. Keep me posted how you intend to select the team.

So I'm out! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Seriously, it looks like we have many excellent candidates! I'll be cheering you on and watching closely. What fun this is going to be for all of us.

Wow! This sounds like great fun and a wonderful challenge.

My hat is in the ring. I'm up for it, have plenty time, the necessary money, and most of all the inclination and enthusiam that are requisite.

I've been fortunate to spend time in lot of strange and wonderful places around the world from Peruvian jungles, to mean streets in Budapest, Buenos Aires,and Baltimore, searched out gamalan forges in upland Bali, hiked Southern Chile and in the far east, flew into hurricanes, lived in the Arctic and on tropic islands far away.

There's so much of this lovely planet yet to experience, and since I can usually land on my feet in tight situations and generally muddle through in acceptable fashion, I may not be the worst choice. But that's for you to decide.

And of course, any Web Flyer would be a capable candidate! Great good luck to whomever lands it.

[This message has been edited by DLB (edited 09-01-2002).]

[This message has been edited by DLB (edited 09-01-2002).]

I think it's a great idea -- unfortunately, it would also be illegal http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I don't know if there is a way around it, and as i understand even raffles are only useful for non-profit organizations under certain circumstances, and would be almost impossible to coordinate internationally much less in just the US 50 states with a patchwork of laws.

I'm thinking randy should just make an executive decision (at least as far as the process is concerned) since he's putting up half the cash, and it's also his trademark that the team will be traveling under. Plus, the deadline is pretty close! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

artboy I was thinking more of picking a name out of a hat type "lottery". i.e. pure chance. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Wow, this trip just might be even more fun for some. Forget Steely Dan CDs. Was it ever specified the 2 candidates were/were not to be same sex? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif


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

What is the view on brand new users wanting to participate? Of course everyone should have an equal chance of joining but I also feel that the participants should have some kind of proven track record on FT... Just IMHO of course...

I tend to agree with ScottC on this one, especially as it would be a FT Team.

Since we have polls (straw and other kinds) on FT all the time, allow me to start here by saying that I think that fallinasleep and essxjay would make a very fine team (imho.)

Sebastien

No idea if we are ready to vote or not but I'd second fallinasleep and essxjay too!

IMHO etc... etc... of course http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif