Longest tenured and active FT poster
Apr 12, 2022, 8:26 am
#17
Join Date: May 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA Frmr AA Plat AW Plat Frmr UA 1K Frmr HGP Plat now just UA 1MM/1P
Posts: 320
Honestly, is there really so much difference between pre 2000 and say, 2003s like myself? It is like the difference in ages between teenagers vs. retirees - important for the former, largely irrelevant for the latter.
Furthermore, I think it is safe to say we are all in at least the 2nd new era since that period, which in turn was at least 2 new eras from the 1970s/1980s commercial aviation explosion.
I think early FT membership is simply a level of nerdiness combined with a requisite of moderate to high level of travel in the late 1990s/early 2000s.
Furthermore, I think it is safe to say we are all in at least the 2nd new era since that period, which in turn was at least 2 new eras from the 1970s/1980s commercial aviation explosion.
I think early FT membership is simply a level of nerdiness combined with a requisite of moderate to high level of travel in the late 1990s/early 2000s.
Apr 12, 2022, 8:31 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,233
Honestly, is there really so much difference between pre 2000 and say, 2003s like myself? It is like the difference in ages between teenagers vs. retirees - important for the former, largely irrelevant for the latter.
Furthermore, I think it is safe to say we are all in at least the 2nd new era since that period, which in turn was at least 2 new eras from the 1970s/1980s commercial aviation explosion.
I think early FT membership is simply a level of nerdiness combined with a requisite of moderate to high level of travel in the late 1990s/early 2000s.
Furthermore, I think it is safe to say we are all in at least the 2nd new era since that period, which in turn was at least 2 new eras from the 1970s/1980s commercial aviation explosion.
I think early FT membership is simply a level of nerdiness combined with a requisite of moderate to high level of travel in the late 1990s/early 2000s.
Apr 12, 2022, 9:29 am
#19
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Reno, NV (RNO)
Programs: AA Platinum, AS, UA, DL, HHonors Gold, Marriott LTP, Hyatt, IHG Platinum
Posts: 4,707
I am still MileKing and I am still here. Hard to believe it’s been 24+ years. Don’t travel for work now and can’t say I miss it all that much.
Apr 12, 2022, 12:29 pm
#20
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Orange County, CA, USA
Programs: AA (Life Plat), Marriott (Life Titanium) and every other US program
Posts: 6,411
In fact, for my 68th birthday, I flew transcon to EWR the day before, drove to Times Square for walking/dinner, went to a BW in mid-Jersey to sleep, met client for breakfast at 7am Jersey time (4am my time), then drove to NYC (for the second time in 24 hours) for an afternoon meeting, then took the 9pm transcon back to LA and then drove home to OC at 2am. Just wanted to prove that I could still do it.
Apr 12, 2022, 6:00 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
I was an early subscriber to Randy’s monthly (printed & mailed) publication and even met up with him for the first time when we were both in London at his office in that city in those early years before FT online. However, while I lurked for a year or so, finally signed onto this place in 1999 during the takeover/merger of AC and CP up here. I’ve made some great friendships among members here and it’s great to see some early members (mjm who took me to my first authentic ramen shed in Tokyo, dhammer and his magical mystery tour of Brooklyn) here.
Dorian, Catman and I (after an afternoon of travel talk in a Toronto brewpub) created a very crude companion bulletin board for posting recommendations of restaurants and must-see sites in various cities where FTers and others could share such information. After a few months we offered it to Randy (gratis) and it became the basis of a new set of fora where such advice could be posted.
However, haven’t a clue what number I am…never even knew that such a thing existed!He also published an annual directory showing details of all airline, hotel, car rental and credit card programs.
Dorian, Catman and I (after an afternoon of travel talk in a Toronto brewpub) created a very crude companion bulletin board for posting recommendations of restaurants and must-see sites in various cities where FTers and others could share such information. After a few months we offered it to Randy (gratis) and it became the basis of a new set of fora where such advice could be posted.
However, haven’t a clue what number I am…never even knew that such a thing existed!He also published an annual directory showing details of all airline, hotel, car rental and credit card programs.
Last edited by Sweet Willie; May 5, 2023 at 11:29 am Reason: combine
Apr 13, 2022, 2:13 am
#23
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tokyo, Japan (or Vienna whenever possible)
Posts: 6,379
I was an early subscriber to Randy’s monthly (printed & mailed) publication and even met up with him for the first time when we were both in London at his office in that city in those early years before FT online. However, while I lurked for a year or so, finally signed onto this place in 1999 during the takeover/merger of AC and CP up here. I’ve made some great friendships among members here and it’s great to see some early members (mjm who took me to my first authentic ramen shed in Tokyo, dhammer and his magical mystery tour of Brooklyn) here.
Dorian, Catman and I (after an afternoon of travel talk in a Toronto brewpub) created a very crude companion bulletin board for posting recommendations of restaurants and must-see sites in various cities where FTers and others could share such information. After a few months we offered it to Randy (gratis) and it became the basis of a new set of fora where such advice could be posted.
However, haven’t a clue what number I am…never even knew that such a thing existed!
Dorian, Catman and I (after an afternoon of travel talk in a Toronto brewpub) created a very crude companion bulletin board for posting recommendations of restaurants and must-see sites in various cities where FTers and others could share such information. After a few months we offered it to Randy (gratis) and it became the basis of a new set of fora where such advice could be posted.
However, haven’t a clue what number I am…never even knew that such a thing existed!
(Kaotan Ramen, yum!)
Apr 18, 2022, 3:43 pm
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
I've managed to post on FT at least once every 3-5 days for at least the past 16+ years. But longest tenured that isn't.
Apr 18, 2022, 4:19 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
May 9, 2022, 3:06 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, DL PM, Bonvoy Titanium (Plat Life), HH G, Amtrak, B6, MR
Posts: 1,548
Holy smokes, I just noticed that I joined in 2002... User number 10225, so I guess that's nowhere near the "original" concept. Plus my post count is really low. I've been much more of a lurker than a poster and I took a long hiatus from FT as my travel slowed down dramatically.
Plus my post count is really low. I've been much more of a lurker than a poster and I took a long hiatus from FT as my travel slowed down dramatically.
May 9, 2022, 3:31 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
Holy smokes, I just noticed that I joined in 2002... User number 10225, so I guess that's nowhere near the "original" concept. Plus my post count is really low. I've been much more of a lurker than a poster and I took a long hiatus from FT as my travel slowed down dramatically.
Plus my post count is really low. I've been much more of a lurker than a poster and I took a long hiatus from FT as my travel slowed down dramatically.
May 5, 2023, 1:37 am
#29
Join Date: May 1998
Location: australia
Posts: 5,762
Happy 25th anniversary to the original May 5thers! (however arbitrary that date may be) (Find all posts by 3544quebec = member 5)
(That is not me partying but how I looked after checking all the details on my 36 coupon RTW travel ticket booklet)
(That is not me partying but how I looked after checking all the details on my 36 coupon RTW travel ticket booklet)
Last edited by 3544quebec; May 5, 2023 at 1:48 am
May 5, 2023, 5:28 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,597
Buy a lifetime pass to the Admiral's Club. Better deal than paying every year for the past 40 years AND I would still be allowed to use the Club even when I am flying another airline (yes, I am still VERY bitter about that change in the rules).
P.S. I show as May 5, 1998 and I think I have viewed the board at least once a day EVERY day since then (minus, I would estimate, 10-20 days a year when I was sick/no internet/etc.)
P.S. I show as May 5, 1998 and I think I have viewed the board at least once a day EVERY day since then (minus, I would estimate, 10-20 days a year when I was sick/no internet/etc.)
I should see if I can find my father’s old Admirals Club membership plaques from the 1970s. I think they’re plaques. I last really looked at them 20+ years ago.
Last edited by Sweet Willie; May 6, 2023 at 9:56 am Reason: remove off topic