I love reading FlyerTalk!

I travel because I work for a large motorsports sanctioning body, traveling to races and other places I need to be. I don't travel as often as some FT'ers, only 15-20 times a year. But it's enough. Based in Houston, so Continental is my airline of choice.

Amazingly, I had almost never flown until I started the race travel about 10-12 years ago (let's just say somewhere between the ages of 40 and 50). Since then, I've achieved status every year. Mostly I travel around North America, although I've also been to Australia 4 times, Japan twice, and Europe twice doing international races.

I can still remember my first full year of travel. I didn't quite grasp the concept of status, and when my Silver Elite card arrived unexpectedly in the mail, I was amazed. Boy did I feel important. Back in those days before automatic upgrades, you had to call your special Continental phone number the night before and request an upgrade. I did that on the next flight, and as my colleague and I walked down the jetway with the FC boarding, he asked "are sure this isn't costing us any money?" We were awed. Naturally, since then we've become accustomed (or tried to, at every upgrade possible) to sitting up front. I've even participated in "mileage runs" at the end of the year, just to maintain status (or jump to the next level). It's a rat race, but worth it in the long run.

Travelling on the professional racing circuit is not as glamorous as my friends think it is. But it beats having a desk job

Hello everybody, Dzien dobry from Poland,

I just realized that I still haven't introduced myself. My nickname is a bit misleading because I'm pure 100% Pole. I simply loved the Danish comedy with Egon Olsen

I travel mainly throughout Europe due to the fact that LO is in *A I decided to get married with LH group. I work in automotive company as a marketing manager and as many of you I'm addicted to travel Luckily my girlfriend is FA so she's sharing my way of living.

I've already met some of FT'ers and I must admit I'm really impressed by the people. Anyhow, whenever you're planning to visit WAW don't hesitate to contact me - I'll be happy to meet you and to give you some advices how and where to go.

Hi everyone, im the newest member in this forum

I am YH Tan from Singapore. I am current an undergrad in the National University of Singapore. My hobby is travelling and exploring interesting places around the world especially countries with rich histories like China and Egypt.

Nice to meet you all

i have no idea why there is an advertisement beside my post!!

Hey everyone! I'm new to this website and this board. I was referred by Steve, whom I ran across at the In N' Out next to LAX a few days ago. Like most everyone here, I'm always surfing the web for aviation-related sites. I'm a private pilot and work for the FAA as an air traffic controller, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Welcome to FlyerTalk Controller Kyle! Don't let the Saturday night quietness make you think this is normal. I am sure the questions will be rolling in soon. There are big Channel 9 fans over on the United Forum and as soon as they discover you I am sure there will be plenty of questions to answer--maybe even too many.

Welcome Kyle!

ditto on the welcome that my friend pat(withallthosenumbers) said. we're a great and fun bunch of misfits and she is also right about the subject of ch9 over in the united forum (major fans are we ). also, over in the united forum, you'll see both an "ask the pilot" and "ask the f/a" thread so who knows, maybe over in the travel buzz forum, there soon might be and "ask the faa controller thread" .

again, welcome and enjoy the ride you are probably the only f/t'er whom i'll never be able to give a tootsie-pop to while you're working.

welcome, to FT

a very good friend of mine in an ATC at TRACON on LI. those guys are definitely a fun bunch of guys..

Kyle, if you wanted a change of scenery or a working holiday, a quick search of google news will show you there is a critical ATC staff shortage in Sydney. It could be lucrative if Australia's CASA is looking for contractors to plug the gap.... just one long fight from LAX!

Welcome to FlyerTalk, Controller Kyle. ^

Welcome to Flyertalk.

You'll have to come to one of our LA get togethers sometime.

Welcome to FT Controller Kyle! ^ ^

See, for example:
Availability of ATC Communications on Channel 9 thread
The Consolidated "Fun Things Heard on Channel 9" Thread [Merged]

Should you follow goalie's suggestion, I'm sure it would be a popular thread! ^
The UA Pilot and FA question threads have >1500 and >1200 posts, respectively, since they were started in January.

Welcome to FT, Kyle! Great to have yet another aspect of the flying experience with us on the boards. Hope you stick around and enjoy.

Welcome aboard by FlyerTalk, Kyle! Hopefully if we can bring more FTs meet in PHX. Perhaps we can joins the lunch at Italian restaurant. I'm sure if I can have your specifically time where you can have a great opportunity to meet more good people.

Hey all

I've been on this board for a while now, but just found this thread. I figured I would post some of my info.

I am 26 years old and I am from a town about 40 minutes south of Chicago called Romeoville. I am however working in Kuwait as a government contractor working on Ali Al Salem AB since Dec '06. I am only able to travel 3x a year, but since I have joined FT, I have learned how to get the most out of those trips and have made elite stauts good through the end of 2009.

-Pat

Hi everyone,

I have been a member of flyertalk for several years now. I have found tons of useful info to help me with my hobby of maxing out FF miles and points. I traveled full time for about 5 years but for the last 5 years I have owned my own business in Baltimore - so sadly I have had no status in any FF program for some time now. I would love to earn status again but dont relish the thought of traveling non-stop again. Perhaps one day I will fork over the $$ for a centurion amex just to get status

I take 2 or 3 biz trips a year and 2 or 3 leisure trips. I am always looking for an excuse to hop on a plane and go somewhere (especially somewhere new).

I do my best thinking when I am traveling alone and I need at least 2 trips a year to clear my head and get some new ideas or problems solved in my business.