dlnewbie can't make it on the 12th. actually, the 19th works best for me anyway. Let's just stick with it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

3/12 in DC is fine

I could make it to DC on 4/19 (and would!), but not 4/12 (already made plans to go to CA for daughter's birthday).

Bruce

Never attended one in the DC area - but will be there the week of 16-22 March. Hope the dates work - 'cause I'd love to actually make one!

So, how many here would be interested in the dinner on April 19th? I'd like to gauge local interest before starting a separate thread. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I'm not 100%, but if Bruce could make April 19 I would try my hardest to be there. Not that the rest of the cru is not reason enough to trek to MD. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Wow, I didn't know I was so popular, but now I would definitely be there on April 19.

Bruce

Whoa..... look what happens when one takes an FT hiatus! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I didn't have a chance to say it was great to see you guys again-- and to meet davrodr. Welcome to the group, and thanks again for your planning.

My mileage run/visiting a friend in Italy went fine.... I returned via AMS to MSP, waited at home for 2 days for DCA to open, then flew back today.

As a result of the 2 day MSP stop, my Mar. 19 isn't open... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif -- should be en route with mom and sister for a long weekend. Can someone say "burning miles before devaluation??" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif But, Mar. 12 is fine.

[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 02-19-2003).]

March 12 should work for me -- I have a flight back from MCO earlier that day.

I wouldn't be able to make 4/19 ...

I can make any of the dates mentioned as the way things stand right now. We weren't in today's Washington Post, so maybe next week's travel column.

FYI, the Wash Post article should appear this week. (Wednesday?) Keith called me today since I had asked him to call me about any quotes.

Actually, his column now comes out on Tuesdays. You can read it tonight after 11 as that is when the next day's edition comes out online.

And here is the article:

Obsessed In a Quest For Upgrades

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2003Feb24.html

I just woke up and was pleasantly surprised to see this week's Business Class column focused on the monthly FT DC happy hour! I hadn't checked this thread in a couple of weeks. Nice article.

I wasn't there so I can't know for sure, but it seems to have a typically large number of inaccuracies and out-of-context quotes. For example, it could come as quite a shock to MileageAddict's wife if she has to read the Post to find out that her husband is single. Why are so many reporters so careless? Or maybe its the editors. When the AP published an article about my LatinPass run, they shaved four years off my age and changed my name from Dave to Dan. The reporter told me it was correct when he submitted the article to his editors in New York. He corrected the name mistake in a later version of the story, but most newspapers that picked up the story used the original version.

He noticed that too! MA is going to have much explaining to do when his wife reads the paper http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I'm glad I held my tongue while I was there.... I half expected something like this.

Edited to keep peace.

[This message has been edited by davrodrg (edited 02-26-2003).]

That's why I insisted that any of my quotes had to be screened. He wanted to quote me on something that was seriously out of context by itself, so I said no. I am glad that he honored that request.

Also, the comment about not using miles for award tickets was my personal position or strategy. As far as the FT community is concerened I think most people readily use award tickets.

What I thought was interesting was that none of the handles he used as examples were people who were actually there that night.

Boy, I drop out of FT life for a little while to get some work done (okay, for a few months) and next thing ya know I'm reading about you guys over my morning coffee!

Did you guys contact Keith or did he contact you somehow?

Nevertheless, it seems like there's something going on for March 12, but I haven't seen anyone mention where and what time. I'm coming back from the UK with Mrs. Syzygy that evening and we could possibly be interested in participating if we're not thoroughly exhausted.

Keith showed up at the last happy hour after finding out about it from this thread.

He saw the time and place listed on this thread and showed up.

It'll be interesting to see who shows up at the next get-together.

I guess at the very least, he identified himself as a reporter, instead of doing some kind of undercover story.

Hi everyone. Read the story in the W. Post and had no idea there was such a group here in D.C.--and to think i only work 1 block from themeeting quoted int he article! I'd love to stop by for drinks and meet some other folks when yu have the next get-together. Does someone maintain an email data base, or are we just supposed to check back here for when something is scheduled? Weekends not good here, but after work during the week is a good thing. Me: UA 1K/Million; Hyatt Diamond; Starwood Gold; National Emerald (the old--and soon to be canceled--Program).

SteveDCA

You check back here.

Good for him. Even if you guys think there were some mistaken quotes or something, he really is a tremendous ally for us.

So has a location been decided for March 12?

Edited to keep peace.



[This message has been edited by davrodrg (edited 02-26-2003).]

Welcome SteveDCA. At least the article was good for helping you find us!

**** DLNewbie, Alysia, Viajero. Can one of you start a new board for the monthly meeting, as we disussed it last time. We could include this thread as a link and start with the March meeting.

I read the article in question last night and although I can not tell who was and wasn't misquoted, NONE of it in my opinion made any of you look bad; I don't know what you are talking about; I read it for what it was; an article on FF'ers who meet and discuss things. The comment about not talking to a middle seat person b/c they couldn't get a better seat was identified as "said jokingly" which I understood to mean it was said as a joke. No one looked bad in this article. Again I can't comment on the misquotes and if that is why some are upset, so be it.. but to be upset that you look bad.. that is wrong, NONE of you were made to look bad in the article. As for the emphasis on being single, I didn't take it that way, although not getting the single people listed correctly was kind of a bonehead move; yet still the error on that account was using FT names so other than a few on here, no one else will know who Mileage Addict is.

It seems that some of the complaints appear from a readers perspective to be quite overblown

Keith emailed me and asked me to post this:

To DC Flyertalkers:
I just wanted to thank each of you for allowing me to intrude on your
evening and profile you for our readers. It was a very interesting and
entertaining evening. I know that you could have asked me to leave when I
just showed up. But you chose not to and instead welcomed me and allowed me
to ask numerous questions of you over and over again.
While I understand that there are times when subjects of stories will
disagree with how they're portrayed by an outside observer such as the
media, I appreciate the favorable response I received regarding the column
from most of you who were there that evening.
I wish each of you flyer talkers all the best and continue
keeping the travel industry honest and accountable. Again, thank you for
your time.

Keith L. Alexander


[This message has been edited by gnaget (edited 02-26-2003).]

Edited to remove section directed to davrodrg.

[This message has been edited by gnaget (edited 02-26-2003).]

A pretty good article from general media really. Sounds like a pretty nice journalist to me. And a great plug for FLYERTALK overall. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

We really REALLY must make it to another one of these Washington gatherings. I know our last visit to Washington saw one very neat party of 14 FT'ers thanks to mdtony ....... and the case of Fosters. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

We are 10,000 miles away [literally!] so only pass thru a few times a year. Next time will be late July, coming back from the FT weekend in Dusseldorf.

Is there any chance LATTER July might be possible to lock-in [unless some other date has ben chosen] - like Friday the 25th July? Very early to be asking I know but we already have a Marriott downtown in Penn Ave for 3 nights booked. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


------------------
~ Glen ~

Come and visit the most ** FRIENDLY FORUM ** on FlyerTalk. No flame wars, no personal abuse, no substance abuse. Not much of anything really!


[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 02-26-2003).]

Well July is locked in... now all we have to worry about is March, April, May and June! Although if the Freddies are in DC, that might take care of April http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Edited to Clean Up UBB

[This message has been edited by thezipper (edited 02-26-2003).]

Yoooooooooooo Hoooooooooooooo. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Hope July 25 fits in with mdtony and the other regulars etc? Be great to see you guys again. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Well the Freddies will NOT be in NYC in 2003 ..... that much is for certain. West Coast seems a hot tip right now? But Washington was alos suggested as possible:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum97/HTML/000685.html

.

[This message has been edited by davrodrg (edited 03-04-2003).]

So anyway. Let's move on, and how about with a new link.

What is the location for the next meeting?

Someone suggested Legal Seafood at DCA at a recent happy hour. Do people want to meet there?

Back in DC for a couple of days, how about a interim happy hour on the side, say Thurs. Feb. 27 at 5pm- McCormick's & Schmicks. Email me to confirm or see some of you there. Sorry for such short notice but just got in.

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

Sorry -- don't think I want to go into the District with the snow coming this afternoon.

Yeah, like the 8 inches we got last night, huh?? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

This Minnesotan isn't phased... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif With minor adjusting of previous plans, I think I can make it- but a little later, like 6ish.

Let's not forget that Minnesotan is a metro rider.

It's taken me awhile but I've finally come to the conclusion that it isn't the snow or the bad weather, but the people's reaction and the sheer volume of traffic around here that makes you miserable around here.

Agreed.

I'm confirmed for Happy Hour tonight.... getting there around 6:30 (just as the specials end, I know).

[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 02-27-2003).]