The Four Phases of FlyerTalk
Jan 2, 2003 | 8:02 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: SoCal; DO-RAGS: Old Gold tagged, PIP, LatPass 1/2, AA 4MM, HH LT Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, Omni
Posts: 9,651
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.”
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.”
Jan 2, 2003 | 8:48 am
#2
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,927
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.
Unfortunately, some go straight from 2 to 4.
Jan 2, 2003 | 9:20 am
#4
Moderator, SkyTeam and Germany
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: FRA/STR/NUE
Programs: BA, LH, KL, EY, IHG, Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Radisson, H Rewards
Posts: 5,965
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...
I don't like the posts that you mentioned in stage 4, but they are here definitely and IMO they increase in frequency lately...
Jan 2, 2003 | 2:44 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Jersey Isle
Programs: BA Gold, BMI Gold, LH Senator, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,175
I thought phase 5 was addiction recognition and then rehab??!?!? 
"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."
"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."
Jan 2, 2003 | 3:22 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA NW Platinum Elite Since 1999, United GoldMM, Hyatt Discoverist, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold, IC Ambassador
Posts: 7,451
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by worldbanker:
I thought phase 5 was addiction recognition and then rehab??!?!?
"hello my name is_______ and I'm a mileage junkie."
</font>
I thought phase 5 was addiction recognition and then rehab??!?!?
"hello my name is_______ and I'm a mileage junkie."
</font>
Jan 2, 2003 | 4:23 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Texas, U.S.A.
Posts: 19,523
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).]
[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited 01-02-2003).]
Jan 2, 2003 | 4:48 pm
#13
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,619
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Rudi:
phase 1 didn't exist in the early (summer 1998) days ...</font>
phase 1 didn't exist in the early (summer 1998) days ...</font>
Jan 2, 2003 | 5:36 pm
#14
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Programs: AA2MM
Posts: 1,754
An addict will always return
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PremEx:
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).]</font>
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).]</font>
Jan 2, 2003 | 8:11 pm
#15
Original Member, Moderator: Hotel Deals and MilesBuzz
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 14,291
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)
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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)