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