I'm writing this in the spirit of the FT community. It's not really a trip report but may seem so. So now I have met 2 FT people by just sitting my bottom in the proscribed seat on the plane and talking to my immediate seat-mate neighbor. Out of maybe 140 flites. That's like 1.5%, interesting enough to report, I thought.

First Punki and I met on a SEA-PDX trip a few years back. That's when FT became real to me. Except we didn't realize we knew each other until after we flew. Which made that connection very special, the light bulb went off afterwards. I took that as a learning experience and now, when it seems like it could be possible, I check to see if my neighbor could be an FT-literate person.

So now just a few weeks ago, I was flying DEN-MSP with one of the little gregseattles. We were on an old sh*ttle plane and had seats 3A and 3E. It was a full flite and I booked late, and chose the bulkhead and odd (separated) seating over a defined seat arrangement further back in coach as I am a slave to the legroom and knew I could ask a favor from one of our potential seat-mates to swap.

Since the FAA requires that the little one sits on the window seat, and I should sit next to him, I had to decide whether to ask 3B to move or 3F to move.

Well, 3B and C were clearly a couple and I didn't want to disrupt as B seemed pretty much attached to C. So I asked 3F if he'd mind taking the other window, and he said ok, but asked me if I knew who was in 3D. I said "I don't know" maybe it will be empty (as we got on as they were calling final.)

So we took our seats and the door closed. I was getting ready to wave over to my relocatee and say that 3D looks to be open. But a minute later it turns out 3D was aft and took his seat. 3D was a conversational type, like me. So we started talking. You know typical smalltalk - banter. Then the discussion turns more specific to UA. Then we start talking about upgrade types. Then I ask something like have you heard of this website for frequent flyers. Before I can finish he says "flyertalk?" We laugh.

Turns out I got to meet robotdoctor who was heading to MSP for a quick trip as was I. We enjoyed a nice conversation and he made a kind drink coupon donation my way so I was able to enjoy a free adult beverage and not burn my one of my last 1k coupons. My kid slept and we had a nice chance to catch up.

The conversation was quite fine and the trip flew by very quickly. We drilled into many of the topics du jour on FT and also got to know each other on more of a personal note.

It is so nice/random/pleasantly unexpected to meet flyertalkers in the air. Really helps you to realize that this is a community. In some ways since we have access to certain seat inventories that many folks don't, it is more likely that we will intersect.

All y'all make sure that you talk to your neighbors now. Quietly mumble the word FT if you're not sure they are on the same page. You might be surprised.

I now have my smile on for today. Thanks for the wonderful news.

I like how when I talk with somebody on the flight I tend to "convert" them to FT!

Randy - you may not realize this, but thanks to this site many of us have become good friends due to our shared interest. I feel very fortunate that I can count several people as good friends (and many as acquaintances) all because of "meeting" through here. Thank you.

Back last fall it seemed like I couldn't board a UA 777 (seat 13H) without finding myself next to a FTer.

Great fun!

Unfortunately my random meetings have fallen off.. so I've had to schedule some instead!

It's truly amazing. Even though the "frequent traveling" part was what brought me to FT 42 months ago, it is the people of FT which keep me coming back.

Because of this common bond of "frequent traveling", I've been able to meet a fair number of folks over the years who share that same interest and passion. Simply an amazing thing. I've learned about others' occupations, friends, music preferences, beer choices and lives in general.

Over that period, I have honestly gained friendships that transcend the "traveling" part. And this is a great thing.

Thanks Randy!

Not too much different than when you were forced to sit in 13G because someone already HAD 13H!!

Best wishes, Dave

Thanks for the kind words Greg. I too enjoyed our first encounter. Hopefully, it will be the beginning of many more personal encounters. Thanks for making my flight out to MSP a very pleasant one. BTW, where were you yesterday when I came back to MSP. I was looking for you but, alas, you and little gregseattle was not there. My loss.

Again, thanks. I hope you and yours are doing well.

Best regards,

Sam

[This message has been edited by RobotDoctor (edited 08-26-2003).]

Great story.

I had Kokonutz/Matt Wald/A Freak/Boy Racer etc sitting across the aisle from me last month on a LH flight from FRA, and we did not see each other until plane landed.

Ditto with NCRBill upstairs on a 747 last month LAX-IAD (who until then I had not met) .... he saw my flouro FT bag tag when getting carry-on down from the overhead. And cblaisd saw the same tag when he sat behind us on a SFO flight etc. And bumping into chexfan on his '1K making flight' SFO-EWR or wherever it was, and engineering all kinds of in-flight goodies from the FA's.

* * Flyertalkers are EVERYWHERE! * *

I knew there was a flyertalker on the plane when I heard on order for an Alt on the 30 minute flight.

[This message has been edited by kokonutz (edited 08-27-2003).]

I have met so many Flyer Talkers on planes, in the Red Carpet Club and in airports that I can't even remember them all-some for the first time and some whom I have previously known. We do have Flyer Talk tags on our carry-ons.

I once sat next to Kokonutz on a plane and the FA gave me a bottle of wine, maybe as a reward for being the one to put up with him. Actually, he was at his most charming best.

I once ran into Horizons on the way to the restroom on a 777 SFO/LHR. We made plans to have dinner later that week in London along with Matthew Vandamm

I specifically remember not meeting gregseattle on that SEA/PDX flight. I was in 9B and he was in my regular seat 9C. He is very cute (in a very scruffy sort of way that day), so of course I noticed him, but he did not seem very friendly so I read and he slept (sort of). I was wearing an olive green suit with matching green glasses. (I have glass to match most of my outfits).

A few days later I get this e-mail that says, "Are you the one with the green glasses?" Thereafter, gregseattle told me that he was in a bad state that morning, having had to rush, and not having shaved or taken a shower, but he certainly smelled fine. I am glad we eventually had a chance to become friends and that I got to meet the adorable little gregs.

Nice stories, however I have never seen the FT tag on any plane so far, normally I do not look after bags that do not belong to me.

I might have seen a fellow FTer at SEA on tuesday morning at the UA *Gold check-in but he had problems with his luggage allowance (he acted very FT like as far as I overheard the conversation) and I was in a rush.

I've run into one FT lurker in 40 segments this year. 2.5% isn't too bad, I guess Had a few encounters with people who seemed "likely candidates" but never had the time to follow up to see if they were FTers or just uber-FFs. And I overheard a flight attendant mention that she'd seen the FT tag on board once when talking to another passenger. I assumed she was talking about mine, but either way...

I met Vizslahound on an elevator at the SEA Hyatt. I had a carryon bag with the FT tag. I heard Vizslahound comment to the gal he was with that FT is a really cool site. Then I introduced myself and we had a few moments of comaraderie praising FT.

Yes, what a wonderful bunch of people here. It's nice to meet other flyertalkers from time to time in person. It's so much fun to discuss frequent flyer stuff without getting the rolling eyes from your counterpart...

I may have convicted some people to flyertalk as I discussed about airlines with seat-neighbors. But so far I never randomly met a flyertalker on a trip. I only wear my tags now after having been on that LH flight oz describes above without realizing all those other guys flying to the DUS DO (with me the only one beeing in eco...)

Let's keep up this community spirit!