Who we all are
Aug 11, 2016, 5:51 am
#3226
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Lincoln, UK
Programs: BA Gold, TK, DL, IHG Diamond, HHonours Gold, Hertz Presidents Club
Posts: 497
Hello All,
I'm James, I'm 28 and based in Lincolnshire, which is a large but mostly rural county in the east midlands of the UK mainland England.
I'm a director in the family business which specialises in export of tractors and tractor parts. We have a domestic side but I run the export division. Most of my travel is work related, usually only get time for a 'proper' holiday once a year and the odd weekend away with the girlfriend.
The past 2 1/2 years has seen a greater increase in travel for work. Usually Europe/Turkey every other month. I usually get to the USA 3-4 times a year, South American once a year, Far east or Africa every other year.
Fortunately I am now able sign my own expenses off so I am spending a bit more time near the front of the plane. But I'm quite happy with BA new WT+ if needs be!
My nearest airport is HUY which is a small local airport running mostly helicopters to rigs and Eastern which has an oil run to ABZ. KLM run services to AMS which is convenient at times but my mild disdain for KLM means I only fly it when it's very convenient. So I do spend some time hauling down the M1 to T5 more and more.
I'm James, I'm 28 and based in Lincolnshire, which is a large but mostly rural county in the east midlands of the UK mainland England.
I'm a director in the family business which specialises in export of tractors and tractor parts. We have a domestic side but I run the export division. Most of my travel is work related, usually only get time for a 'proper' holiday once a year and the odd weekend away with the girlfriend.
The past 2 1/2 years has seen a greater increase in travel for work. Usually Europe/Turkey every other month. I usually get to the USA 3-4 times a year, South American once a year, Far east or Africa every other year.
Fortunately I am now able sign my own expenses off so I am spending a bit more time near the front of the plane. But I'm quite happy with BA new WT+ if needs be!
My nearest airport is HUY which is a small local airport running mostly helicopters to rigs and Eastern which has an oil run to ABZ. KLM run services to AMS which is convenient at times but my mild disdain for KLM means I only fly it when it's very convenient. So I do spend some time hauling down the M1 to T5 more and more.
Aug 17, 2016, 11:07 pm
#3227
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Programs: UA Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 4
Hiya,
Long time lurker, but finally checking in from LAS (Las Vegas)!
Name is Ed, recently turned 39, and really just starting my foray into flyer status as I have seen an uptick in work travels the last few years. Have also discovered a love for worldly travels with my family (Tokyo later this year).
Fly pretty much exclusively on UA/*A, which seems to be on the up-and-up in terms of product (service still meh). Started out because terminal 3 wasn't as busy as terminal 1, but as I've now made status a few years in a row, hard to pass up on those CPUs.
I'm also an avid golfer. If any one is ever in town looking for a round and has some flying trade secrets to share - hit me up!
Long time lurker, but finally checking in from LAS (Las Vegas)!
Name is Ed, recently turned 39, and really just starting my foray into flyer status as I have seen an uptick in work travels the last few years. Have also discovered a love for worldly travels with my family (Tokyo later this year).
Fly pretty much exclusively on UA/*A, which seems to be on the up-and-up in terms of product (service still meh). Started out because terminal 3 wasn't as busy as terminal 1, but as I've now made status a few years in a row, hard to pass up on those CPUs.
I'm also an avid golfer. If any one is ever in town looking for a round and has some flying trade secrets to share - hit me up!
Last edited by teatew; Aug 17, 2016 at 11:14 pm
Sep 1, 2016, 3:15 am
#3228
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: MAN
Programs: FB Platinum
Posts: 500
Hello everyone, joined the board recently and thoroughly enjoying reading lots of interesting and enlightening threads.
I'm an aging software engineer with a penchant for long distance travel - mainly with AF/KLM but not exclusively. Currently FB Gold (re-achieved last year after cashing in alll my FB miles back in 2008 before the great devaluation!).
After much saving, scrimping and belt-tightening I've booked myself on an AF J and F class trip MAN-CDG-HND-CDG-MAN in December. I've obviously not done a trip report before so will endeavour to post one when the time comes. So looking forward to the La Premiere experience after years of slumming it along in J
My nickname? It comes from an album title of one of my favourite artists - Jan Garbarek. Used this nick for years on various boards.
I'm an aging software engineer with a penchant for long distance travel - mainly with AF/KLM but not exclusively. Currently FB Gold (re-achieved last year after cashing in alll my FB miles back in 2008 before the great devaluation!).
After much saving, scrimping and belt-tightening I've booked myself on an AF J and F class trip MAN-CDG-HND-CDG-MAN in December. I've obviously not done a trip report before so will endeavour to post one when the time comes. So looking forward to the La Premiere experience after years of slumming it along in J
My nickname? It comes from an album title of one of my favourite artists - Jan Garbarek. Used this nick for years on various boards.
Last edited by rosensfole; Sep 1, 2016 at 4:17 am Reason: board vernacular
Sep 23, 2016, 10:40 pm
#3229
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: MSP & MCO
Programs: DL PM & NRSA, AA Gold, ANA Plat, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, National EC Exec, GE, CLEAR
Posts: 1,225
Unfortunately, it seems I'm a full 24 years late to this thread. so let me summarize my even shorter lifespan and a little of what I do, and my background.
Fortunately over the last sixteen years, I've had the esteemed opportunity of piggybacking my parents, and specifically my dads benefits, on standby endeavors (mostly to Florida ..well, 90% to FL, but who cares?). Ever since I was nine, I've always been intrigued in specific sectors in the IT field, starting out with IT security, and progressing as far as networking -of which I'll be CCNA in the next two years (in other words, is pathetic fancy talk for saying I'll be taking a three month long networking course). When I was Nine, things got interesting as Delta swooped in and as South Park would say "They took our jobs!". For the next few months, as you can imagine, they sucked and we lived off severance and unemployment benefits; as you can assume, it wasn't glamorous. On the upside however, we were still able to keep our flight benefits, so there was that.
Luckily a few months after, we found work, however shortly after that they started turning for the worse, and just before things really got bad he got recruited to another company, the yearly dough doubled and life's been great ever since.
Over the last five years, more things have changed than I could've ever dreamed of:
The cool stuff..
-Retiree Badge 2011
-Instead of staying in crappy Comfort Inns, we get Hiltons #Affluenza
-Kitchen Renno
-Bedroom Rennos
-Travel went up as much as 5x (last summer I was in planes and on the road virtually every week to every other week; a dream come true)
The Meh Stuff:
-After a long enough absence, I got upgraded this year, twice. Both seats sucked but oh well (739: 1D (I think the seatmate worked for Nissan.. Interesting PR stuff..), CR9 OO 1A <- That one wasn't bad come to think of it; it was the first time I actually haven't hated salmon.. Well then..)
-New tech setup, blue snowball mic as well
-Bought GE, Galaxy S6. and all of my phones on my own dime
-Started a Minecraft Server and Gaming community (Also from my wallet. Judge all you want, but it's changed my life in ways I couldn't imagine. All the wonderful people I've met... It's like a mini FT, only this time I'm the Randy Patterson.)
-Volunteered to help a server host actually run properly for once -fun job... Though wayy too many hours and way too little pay (Well.. It was volunteering, what should I expect; you don't pay your employees $10/hr when you can't even make a single cent worth of profit.. Coulda' thought it was common knowledge)
-Cousins moved to FL, I'll be honest, it's been an excuse for us to be down at least twice a month.
-Switched from Centurylink to Comcast; it's sad to call that an upgrade
(but it is 
)
-Discovered another forum, has direct support from actual cable companies, for once the people speak fluent english; and are well, useful. What a commodity.
-Achievement Unlocked: Spot a wild, and drunk Kipper ..Amidst the support and unease over poor Gralistair's colonoscopy.
..So yeah, that pretty much covers it. Now just to see whats next.
---
Current Status Symbols:
-Delta Charter KM (gimme the dang brag tag already)
-Delta NRSA
-Shena's beloved nephew
-Nat'l Emerald Club Exec
-HHonors Silver
-Hotels.com Silver
-Global Entry
Fortunately over the last sixteen years, I've had the esteemed opportunity of piggybacking my parents, and specifically my dads benefits, on standby endeavors (mostly to Florida ..well, 90% to FL, but who cares?). Ever since I was nine, I've always been intrigued in specific sectors in the IT field, starting out with IT security, and progressing as far as networking -of which I'll be CCNA in the next two years (in other words, is pathetic fancy talk for saying I'll be taking a three month long networking course). When I was Nine, things got interesting as Delta swooped in and as South Park would say "They took our jobs!". For the next few months, as you can imagine, they sucked and we lived off severance and unemployment benefits; as you can assume, it wasn't glamorous. On the upside however, we were still able to keep our flight benefits, so there was that.
Luckily a few months after, we found work, however shortly after that they started turning for the worse, and just before things really got bad he got recruited to another company, the yearly dough doubled and life's been great ever since.
Over the last five years, more things have changed than I could've ever dreamed of:
The cool stuff..
-Retiree Badge 2011
-Instead of staying in crappy Comfort Inns, we get Hiltons #Affluenza
-Kitchen Renno
-Bedroom Rennos
-Travel went up as much as 5x (last summer I was in planes and on the road virtually every week to every other week; a dream come true)
The Meh Stuff:
-After a long enough absence, I got upgraded this year, twice. Both seats sucked but oh well (739: 1D (I think the seatmate worked for Nissan.. Interesting PR stuff..), CR9 OO 1A <- That one wasn't bad come to think of it; it was the first time I actually haven't hated salmon.. Well then..)
-New tech setup, blue snowball mic as well
-Bought GE, Galaxy S6. and all of my phones on my own dime
-Started a Minecraft Server and Gaming community (Also from my wallet. Judge all you want, but it's changed my life in ways I couldn't imagine. All the wonderful people I've met... It's like a mini FT, only this time I'm the Randy Patterson.)
-Volunteered to help a server host actually run properly for once -fun job... Though wayy too many hours and way too little pay (Well.. It was volunteering, what should I expect; you don't pay your employees $10/hr when you can't even make a single cent worth of profit.. Coulda' thought it was common knowledge)
-Cousins moved to FL, I'll be honest, it's been an excuse for us to be down at least twice a month.
-Switched from Centurylink to Comcast; it's sad to call that an upgrade
(but it is )-Discovered another forum, has direct support from actual cable companies, for once the people speak fluent english; and are well, useful. What a commodity.
-Achievement Unlocked: Spot a wild, and drunk Kipper ..Amidst the support and unease over poor Gralistair's colonoscopy.
..So yeah, that pretty much covers it. Now just to see whats next.
---
Current Status Symbols:
-Delta Charter KM (gimme the dang brag tag already)
-Delta NRSA
-Shena's beloved nephew
-Nat'l Emerald Club Exec
-HHonors Silver
-Hotels.com Silver
-Global Entry
Last edited by TheLifeOfA_NKCM; Oct 23, 2016 at 8:01 pm Reason: Relevancy
Sep 25, 2016, 7:18 am
#3230
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: UK (NE)
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 223
Hello,
New member here – been a lurker on here for a couple of months and now decided to join as started to get quite into the whole Avios thing via our BA Amex PP cards so will be interested and extremely grateful to hear of tips and offers from experts on here.
I am currently at Bronze but will be at Silver in a few weeks after a transatlantic trip in F – my 2nd time and the wife and little one’s (7 months old) 1st time.
As for me? Live in the North of England and at the moment work has me travelling to North Africa regularly – this has been via private chartered flights for now (no miles earned sadly!) but this will soon change as we have to start using scheduled airlines (cost cutting apparently) so currently weighing up my options – of which there aren’t many to be honest.
Me and Mrs UTFB have travelled quite a lot over the last 10 years, the recent arrival of our first son means things will have to change a bit but I’m looking forward to showing him the world when we can!
That’s it for now. Looking forward to getting into the whole FlyerTalk world.
New member here – been a lurker on here for a couple of months and now decided to join as started to get quite into the whole Avios thing via our BA Amex PP cards so will be interested and extremely grateful to hear of tips and offers from experts on here.
I am currently at Bronze but will be at Silver in a few weeks after a transatlantic trip in F – my 2nd time and the wife and little one’s (7 months old) 1st time.
As for me? Live in the North of England and at the moment work has me travelling to North Africa regularly – this has been via private chartered flights for now (no miles earned sadly!) but this will soon change as we have to start using scheduled airlines (cost cutting apparently) so currently weighing up my options – of which there aren’t many to be honest.
Me and Mrs UTFB have travelled quite a lot over the last 10 years, the recent arrival of our first son means things will have to change a bit but I’m looking forward to showing him the world when we can!
That’s it for now. Looking forward to getting into the whole FlyerTalk world.
Sep 26, 2016, 10:40 am
#3231
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: CLE
Posts: 94
Hello FT,
I'm a bit late to the party here so I'll introduce myself a bit.
I'm currently an Accounting Student at a state univ. in Ohio and will be working for a multinational public accounting firm after graduation next year. I love to travel wherever and whenever I can, and always try to keep at least 2 or 3 internationals on the horizon. I'm certainly a rookie with only 5 1/2 pages of my passport used so far...
Although I utilise many of the CC earning & churning methods out there, I usually end up flying on paid (sale/error) fares. Will be making my first big redemption on a TATL OW from Japan with OneWorld this upcoming summer. I'm also booked on one of my "bucket list" flights this summer: UA154.
That's it folks. Hopefully I can add some more trips to the horizon.
P.S. - If anyone knows some secrets to get an AF Business Upgrade Award, or knows how often they release availability, please let me know!
I'm a bit late to the party here so I'll introduce myself a bit.
I'm currently an Accounting Student at a state univ. in Ohio and will be working for a multinational public accounting firm after graduation next year. I love to travel wherever and whenever I can, and always try to keep at least 2 or 3 internationals on the horizon. I'm certainly a rookie with only 5 1/2 pages of my passport used so far...
Although I utilise many of the CC earning & churning methods out there, I usually end up flying on paid (sale/error) fares. Will be making my first big redemption on a TATL OW from Japan with OneWorld this upcoming summer. I'm also booked on one of my "bucket list" flights this summer: UA154.
That's it folks. Hopefully I can add some more trips to the horizon.
P.S. - If anyone knows some secrets to get an AF Business Upgrade Award, or knows how often they release availability, please let me know!
Sep 30, 2016, 11:52 pm
#3232
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: United, Delta, AA, Alaska
Posts: 2
Hello Everyone!
Long time lurker and have finally joined FT.
I am currently a doctoral student in a social science department in the Pacific Northwest. I am originally from the mid-west and during my masters became involved in this wonderfully addicting game of hoarding points.
I love flying and for some odd reason get more work done in the air than I do on the ground (probably a lack of a certain video streaming service). However, I have never been able to hit that peak of status with any specific airline. Throughout the next 4 years through going to conferences, going home, etc. I plan on putting my full faith and effort to being a true elite. Hell maybe I could even earn status on one airline one year, and then another the next (only time will tell).
You are an incredible bunch of human beings and trust me, be rest assured that your tireless work will be remembered by us in the younger generations (I'm 24) and we will continue your legacy.
Long time lurker and have finally joined FT.
I am currently a doctoral student in a social science department in the Pacific Northwest. I am originally from the mid-west and during my masters became involved in this wonderfully addicting game of hoarding points.
I love flying and for some odd reason get more work done in the air than I do on the ground (probably a lack of a certain video streaming service). However, I have never been able to hit that peak of status with any specific airline. Throughout the next 4 years through going to conferences, going home, etc. I plan on putting my full faith and effort to being a true elite. Hell maybe I could even earn status on one airline one year, and then another the next (only time will tell).
You are an incredible bunch of human beings and trust me, be rest assured that your tireless work will be remembered by us in the younger generations (I'm 24) and we will continue your legacy.
Oct 5, 2016, 11:48 am
#3234
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 29,516
Welcome to FT, 50wam!
I'm moving your post to 'Who we all are' where posts from other new members may be found.
NewbieRunner
Co-moderator, CommunityBuzz
I'm moving your post to 'Who we all are' where posts from other new members may be found.
NewbieRunner
Co-moderator, CommunityBuzz
Oct 6, 2016, 1:44 am
#3235
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 17
Expat Teacher in Hong Kong
Greetings, flyers!
My name is Barry, and I am an Expat teacher from the USA, living in HK. During school breaks, my wife and I enjoy visiting other Asia destinations. Our children are grown up now (university or older), so we can travel a bit more freely. Before kids, back in 1985, my wife and I visited 20 countries over six months, on an old version of the "Round the World" flight promotion.
I appreciate all the valuable tips and whimsical stories posted here!
My name is Barry, and I am an Expat teacher from the USA, living in HK. During school breaks, my wife and I enjoy visiting other Asia destinations. Our children are grown up now (university or older), so we can travel a bit more freely. Before kids, back in 1985, my wife and I visited 20 countries over six months, on an old version of the "Round the World" flight promotion.
I appreciate all the valuable tips and whimsical stories posted here!
Oct 7, 2016, 1:33 pm
#3236
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: EWR
Programs: UA Gold, BA, HHonors, Avis
Posts: 192
Hello!
After a few months of lurking I thought I'd start posting, and this seemed a good a place as any to start.
I'm an expat British financial journalist working in the US in NYC, living in New Jersey and therefore mostly flying out of Newark. As you'll guess this has made me a United flyer, and I have (and love) my Chase MileagePlus card. I fly a reasonable amount of TATL and domestic for work, and domestic with my wife for leisure, but sadly always in economy, so status is a slow grind! Looks like I'll finally get to UA Silver this year though, and am planning my 2017 campaign for UA Gold.
My wife and I are like most of us here both super keen travelers, and are currently working our way through the states (26 states in 4 years so far), and other interests include choirs, skiing, food and opera, roughly in that order.
After a few months of lurking I thought I'd start posting, and this seemed a good a place as any to start.
I'm an expat British financial journalist working in the US in NYC, living in New Jersey and therefore mostly flying out of Newark. As you'll guess this has made me a United flyer, and I have (and love) my Chase MileagePlus card. I fly a reasonable amount of TATL and domestic for work, and domestic with my wife for leisure, but sadly always in economy, so status is a slow grind! Looks like I'll finally get to UA Silver this year though, and am planning my 2017 campaign for UA Gold.
My wife and I are like most of us here both super keen travelers, and are currently working our way through the states (26 states in 4 years so far), and other interests include choirs, skiing, food and opera, roughly in that order.
Oct 13, 2016, 4:35 pm
#3239
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: DC area
Programs: AA, UA, SW, HH
Posts: 9
Greetings! I'm a bit late posting some info (I've already posted a few times on Global Entry threads), but here goes...
Old timer who's been flying for over 50 years now; recent job has required extensive domestic travel. I remember having to dress up to fly back in the '60's... ah the days!
Going overseas very soon, flying internationally for the first time ever. (ORD-NRT, not looking forward to that looong trip) Started lurking on flyertalk to get info about Global Entry. Got AMAZING information and tips; thank you for that!
Looking forward to giving back.
Old timer who's been flying for over 50 years now; recent job has required extensive domestic travel. I remember having to dress up to fly back in the '60's... ah the days!
Going overseas very soon, flying internationally for the first time ever. (ORD-NRT, not looking forward to that looong trip) Started lurking on flyertalk to get info about Global Entry. Got AMAZING information and tips; thank you for that!
Looking forward to giving back.
Oct 19, 2016, 12:40 pm
#3240
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: Air Canada - Aeroplan Black, AC - E50K, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 225
Hello everyone!
I have been a lurker here for almost a year but never felt I could really contribute much as I hadn't flown nearly as much as most of the people on here. However, this past year I really upped my flying time (went from 12 AC segments in 2015 to now over 50 AC segments this year) and so I want to try to offer what I can to this wonderful community!
Currently living in Victoria, BC but my home (and wife) is in Nova Scotia so at least a monthly trip of 3-4 segments per direction has helped. I am a mid 20s Chemistry PhD student who is actually working through the final steps to apply to NAV Canada to work in Air Traffic Services. I am currently an AC E50K Altitude member, Hotels.com gold member, Aeroplan Black (soon to be diamond), and a Nexus Trusted Traveller. I would love to travel to more international destinations so might try to book some reward seats in J at some point.
Few other tidbits:
I love listening to/playing bluegrass music
My acoustic guitar is probably my most prized possession.
I am an avid photographer
I am allergic to caterpillars (but strangely, not butterflies - go figure)
Cheers!
I have been a lurker here for almost a year but never felt I could really contribute much as I hadn't flown nearly as much as most of the people on here. However, this past year I really upped my flying time (went from 12 AC segments in 2015 to now over 50 AC segments this year) and so I want to try to offer what I can to this wonderful community!
Currently living in Victoria, BC but my home (and wife) is in Nova Scotia so at least a monthly trip of 3-4 segments per direction has helped. I am a mid 20s Chemistry PhD student who is actually working through the final steps to apply to NAV Canada to work in Air Traffic Services. I am currently an AC E50K Altitude member, Hotels.com gold member, Aeroplan Black (soon to be diamond), and a Nexus Trusted Traveller. I would love to travel to more international destinations so might try to book some reward seats in J at some point.
Few other tidbits:
I love listening to/playing bluegrass music
My acoustic guitar is probably my most prized possession.
I am an avid photographer
I am allergic to caterpillars (but strangely, not butterflies - go figure)
Cheers!