Well, its been about two days since I’ve last posted on FT. Its not that I haven’t seen things that I could’ve commented on, its just that I didn’t know quite where to put number 1000. I thought about putting it on – indulge me for just a minute – the Air Canada/Canadian board, where I my first post went a little more than three years ago. Then I thought about putting it on the Alaska or Northwest or United boards, the ones that I read the most these days.

But I decided to post in Community. Its not that I want to make a ‘woowee look at me’ post; its not that at all. Instead I just wanted to say thank you…. and thank you, and you, and you. Its been a great few years here on Flyertalk and I have learned more than I ever thought possible about airlines, frequent flyer programs, and mileage accumulation.

This is a big thank-you to the good people on the Air Canada forum. I’m amazed by all the stuff that you all know and are so willing to share. tcook, Shareholder, Empress, KenHaamer, airbus320, and all the rest of you (cattle included: how can you not get a kick out of that guy), thanks a bunch.

And to all of the Air Canada employees, thanks as well. I know that things can get a little heated and sometimes take a negative spin over there, but thank you in spite of that. Shagger, YYZC2, SecretAgent, A Flygirl (where have you been?), and everyone else, thanks for taking your time to share a little bit about Air Canada from you side.

All you United people have to know as well: you’ve created a great board over there. Tempers stay low and good information is shared. United is one of my favourite reads every day. And all the great employees as well: hats off to all of you. What great ambassadors you are to your company. You should get an international F seat whenever you go on holiday. Oh, that’s right, you already do .

Thanks as well to the two FTers that I have met in person, spiff and essxjay. Spiff, I had never been into an international first class lounge before and you gave me the ORD oneworld tour. Thank you.

There are also a few people on FT who I haven’t ever met but really intrigue me. They tend to be those who have high seniority and a low post count. Eric the Half a Bee, diana, and daph, happy and safe travels. You must all be like angels watching over us . Head in to chat sometime… a few people could use a little redemption .

And to all those at the BA board: where did I make my first drunk FT post? Well, I’ll raise another to all of you. Thanks for too many good smiles and laughs over the years.

Randy, thank you as well, for creating such a great place. I’ll have you know that my GPA has been slowly inching down since the day I found this place . To all the moderators who volunteer their time for an often thankless job: thank you.

But, hey, the people I would really like to thank the most are those who are regulars in FT chat. I feel like I’ve got to know a lot of you as friends the last year, even if we’ve never met. I hesitate to name any names for fear of forgetting anyone, but the FT women (ldsant, SanDiego1K, jan_az, skiadcock, Mashav, Alysia, missydarlin, Punki, SeeYa and a few more) along with mjm, peteropny, cedric, dlnewbie, wharvey, iluv2fly, JayBrian, Jetboy, RobotDoctor, MileageAddict, inko, g_fowlerord1K, klauau etc., etc., etc: A BIG thanks to all of you. I appreciate the advice, the wisdom, and the fun. Its been a great three years… here’s to a whole lot more!

Thank you.

[Edited because I forgot someone really important... you'll never know who it was ]

[If I forgot you, I am really sorry... ]

[This message has been edited by makin'miles (edited Mar 03, 2004).]

you rock mm! pleasure getting to know you too - even if virtually.

ps - i'm sure the guys won't mind you mentioning them in the gals category

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Sharon

MM, thanks for your friendship on Chat. I appreciate the conversations with you and look forward to the day we meet. Congrats on your 1000th post.

WOOWEE... look at him post...

Congrats on 1000....

BTW... what am I, chopped liver?

I did NOT make your chat list?

HRMPH.... Santa will remember this.....!!!!!

makin'miles, it was a pleasure meeting you and thanks for keeping me company in ORD. Lounge tours are always better when there's more than one person!

This post is exactly why FlyerTalk was created. This post is exactly what FlyerTalk aspires each day to be to each member. This is exactly the post that should make the day of every member who has every helped another. This post... makes my day.

Congratulations on your 1,000 post and frankly, to be a little selfish, I'm glad you chose Community to post it in.

MM !!!

A class post from a class guy!

What Randy said.

Thanks, Jim.

What are you talking about? [

[I KNEW I was forgetting someone...]

Its been a pleasure having you as part of the Flyertalk community!



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"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)

How did I miss this thread by one of my favorite FTers?? Thanks to TalkMail to highlighting this!!!!

This was a post that made me smile. And so does MM...one of the people who really has made me feel welcome at FT. So thanks back, from me.

Now...only a gazillion more posts to catch up to you.

Such a Great Topic, and one I feel I should add a comment on...

Today is my FT Anniversary.

As I start my 5th year I sit back and love to think of all the good things that this community has brought me! There is NO WAY I could have ever imagined how much I could have grown from a "silly Internet Bulletin Board". It is truly mindboggling.

My knowledge of airline and hotel programs isn't nearly complete, but I think it's pretty **** good!

My knowledge of things to do at destinations and my desire to go places I have never heard of has exponentially increased b/c of what I have learned from my readings here.

It saddens me that due to my lack of traveling I really can't add much to many conversations nowadays, but this doesn't scare me b/c of all the friends I have made here. And it is those relationships and friendships that I have made which I can truly take away from FlyerTalk and make me feel at home here even if I never step on a plane again.

I sit back and realize that I am a pretty lucky guy. So many people here have indeed touched my life, whether they simply gave me support through my unemployment, helped me w/ my computer, gave me tickets to a ball game, bought me a beer, invited me to their wedding or taped a TV show for me b/c my VCR sucks, this place is full of wonderful people! (and that is my understatement for the day)

Soooo....

RANDY... thank you very much for giving us this forum as a place to communicate, share, learn and grow. It truly has impacted at least one person on multiple levels.

EVERYONE ELSE... thanks so much for making this community everything that it is. It is the truly giving spirit here that everyone has that makes FlyerTalk the place that it is!

This should be my 1000th post. It's taken 4+ years, but I've learned a lot and hopefully contributed a little. Hoorah for FlyerTalk!

Edited because even after 4 years and 1000 posts I still don't know the formating characters!

[This message has been edited by IAH_FLYER (edited Mar 21, 2004).]