The Four Phases of FlyerTalk
 

Phase One, Amazement: Typified by such statements as, “OmyGod, I’ve found this site where everyone knows everything about points and miles.”

Phase Two, Acquisition: Typified by signing up for every program, bonus and exploring mileage runs as a way of life. Extreme acquisitional behavior includes soliciting stuff from old-hands. Achieve status never before achieved.

Phase Three, Giving Back: Offering wisdom, coupons and stories to the betterment of the Community. Attending and organizing get-togethers.

Phase Four, FT Curmudgeon: Typified by such statements as, “FT ain’t what is used to be, my points ain’t worth what they used to be.” “Use the search engine, that question was answered a mere eight months ago.” “On such and such a date I didn’t get my free stuff that was promised by such and such.” “Misposted!” And, finally, “You all have devalued my points and miles by taking advantage of all the bonuses.”

Fortunately, I don't think it's a natural or frequent progression from phase 3 to 4.

Unfortunately, some go straight from 2 to 4.

LOL.. too funny !

I must admit that I thought the same way, Jailer.

I don't like the posts that you mentioned in stage 4, but they are here definitely and IMO they increase in frequency lately...

It seems like there are way too many post from category four here these days.

The Category 4 posts were so much better back in the old days. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

phase 1 didn't exist in the early (summer 1998) days ...

jailer,

I asked you to keep our conversations private! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Dan

Some even make it to the 5th and highest level of enlightenment and get a trip on Bannedsylvanian Airlines! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I thought phase 5 was addiction recognition and then rehab??!?!? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
"hello my name is_______ and I'm a mileage junkie."

Then again, air miles is becoming a currency devaluing faster than the Argentine peso.


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"Fly me to the moon and let me earn alot of miles."

WB, I guess the phrase for you is "hello my name is Worldbanker and I'm on my 5th RTW this year"

Phase Five: Former Flyer-Talker. No longer that interested in travel programs. No longer asks travel questions. No longer answers travel questions. No longer offers travel advise. No longer even lurks in travel forums. May no longer even travel! Now uses FlyerTalk almost exclusively as a social bulletin board...looking for mixers, parties, dates, sheep, etc, etc.

[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited 01-02-2003).]

That was my thought too actually ... some of us never had the joy of Phase 1 ... there just weren't enough of us back then I suppose ...

An addict will always return http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Return? Heck, I never left!

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Addicted to airline miles? Check out: Mileage Workshop --- "You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer." - Frank Zappa (1940-93)

I missed the sheep? I need to pay better attention in the future..... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Phase Six: You start going to the unannounced gatherings. I think we're up to SheepDO III by now.

What I want to know is what phase you're on when you get sick of all the selfish, overweening prudes who have only made it to Phase Four but which comprise a sizeable chunk of the FTers with 4-digit postcounts.

[This message has been edited by LastClass (edited 01-03-2003).]

You don't want to know http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I was in Phase Five but as burkey pointed out, an addict always returns! After all, I made a lot of friendships on FT!

Boy, lots of old timers (blank "Registered" field) on this thread! Jailer must have hit on something.

Or Phase Seven: Where you no longer get invitations to the unannounced gatherings. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

You? SheepDO? I never would have guessed!

I don't know, but I'm getting close to that phase. It's like, Randy's going to implement spell check. Can he implement thought check as well, since we've got folks talking like they can just file a lawsuit if they don't like the changes that various airlines are making to their programs?

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What unannounced gatherings?
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I am finding myself falling into PremEx's phase five! Maybe a PIP II will do the trick?

Phase 8: Having gone through Phases 1-7, your life on Flyertalk and for travel has come full circle.

And you realize what matters more than miles and points...

Good Friends

Oh, and in my case... Good Cats at home http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif




[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 01-03-2003).]

How about phase 4.5: Timed Out, then allowed back, but you're not sure about providing free content? You still are keen on meeting all the other fanatics like you, though.... a small comraderie, but tiny.

Reminds me of two maxims from law school:

1. People who aren't lawyers ought not to give legal advice (or to comment on the accuracy of legal advice given by others).

2. "Can we sue?" is the wrong question. Anyone can sue if they can pay the filing fee (or get it waived). The proper question is "Can we succeed?". And in order to answer that question, one must know what constitutes "success" - is it publicity, is it a judgment, is it collection of the judgment, is it a quiet settlement, or is it simply modified behavior by the other party or by third parties.