Thank You for 25 Years
Dec 22, 2025 | 4:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: San Diego
Programs: Fly UA MM 1K, Sleep Hyatt & IHG, Hertzer. 2022 Flyertalk Fantasy Football Champion
Posts: 11,203
Thank You for 25 Years
Dear Flyertalk family,
25 years ago I found you, my other family. It's not possible to articulate how all of you have made my life better over these past 25 years. You've helped me through times of joy and sorrow, showed me grace when I've made mistakes, and of course, radically altered the way I travel. We spent time together at birthday parties, inside airport lounges around the world, comforted one another at funerals, celebrated weddings and births, and attending sporting events worldwide. While I haven't spent much time on the boards these past several years, this community will forever be part of who I am.
Love you all, Ken... TMK.
25 years ago I found you, my other family. It's not possible to articulate how all of you have made my life better over these past 25 years. You've helped me through times of joy and sorrow, showed me grace when I've made mistakes, and of course, radically altered the way I travel. We spent time together at birthday parties, inside airport lounges around the world, comforted one another at funerals, celebrated weddings and births, and attending sporting events worldwide. While I haven't spent much time on the boards these past several years, this community will forever be part of who I am.
Love you all, Ken... TMK.
Dec 23, 2025 | 10:52 am
#3
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 35,604
I have the great good fortune to have Ken live locally these days. I saw him years ago at our local grocery store, and recently shared a meal. I won't spill the tea on his career but it is significant. The only reason I know Ken is because of FlyerTalk which has broadened my world and my friendships. Ken, thanks for being here, thanks for letting us see you thru those Columbia days, then your time in China, and now commuting north for your career. It is my pleasure to know you.
Dec 23, 2025 | 1:26 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .60 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 18,051
It has been a pleasure interacting with you.
Dec 24, 2025 | 7:19 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, Marriot Lifetime Gold
Posts: 10,017
We joined around the same time. I 100% agree that FT has made my life richer in so many ways (and not just mileage balances!). I hope we can meet in person one day like I've met so many other FTers.
Dec 26, 2025 | 10:14 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,436
September 2000. It was the summer from hell that brought me to Flyertalk. Thank you United. 
I don't recall the last time we broke bread TMK, but it had to be 15 years ago.
dh
I don't recall the last time we broke bread TMK, but it had to be 15 years ago.
dh
Dec 28, 2025 | 2:21 pm
#7
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: San Diego
Programs: Fly UA MM 1K, Sleep Hyatt & IHG, Hertzer. 2022 Flyertalk Fantasy Football Champion
Posts: 11,203
It’s definitely been a long minute since we’ve seen one another. I also remember summer 2000 on United, as it was my first year as a 1K — and the year I turned 30😳
Love you too, SanDiego1K
I have the great good fortune to have Ken live locally these days. I saw him years ago at our local grocery store, and recently shared a meal. I won't spill the tea on his career but it is significant. The only reason I know Ken is because of FlyerTalk which has broadened my world and my friendships. Ken, thanks for being here, thanks for letting us see you thru those Columbia days, then your time in China, and now commuting north for your career. It is my pleasure to know you.
Last edited by Sweet Willie; Jan 2, 2026 at 12:22 pm Reason: combine
Jan 8, 2026 | 9:52 pm
#10
Moderator: Hilton Honors, Practical Travel Safety Issues, Information Desk & San Francisco
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: San Francisco CA
Programs: UA, Hilton, Priceline, AirBnB
Posts: 11,319
TravelManKen inspired me to check
And it literally has been 25 years for me as well. Some of you may know I originally came here thanks to dhammer53, who I talked to on the old AOL Travel boards. I have a huge fear of flying and hadnt flown in some years before then, and he convinced me to come here and check it out.
Little did he know what he would unleash. I can honestly say now I love flying and find it one of the true joys of life.
Thank you all for being here and for being part of my world.
Little did he know what he would unleash. I can honestly say now I love flying and find it one of the true joys of life.
Thank you all for being here and for being part of my world.
Jan 9, 2026 | 3:10 pm
#12
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 29,078
And it literally has been 25 years for me as well. Some of you may know I originally came here thanks to dhammer53, who I talked to on the old AOL Travel boards. I have a huge fear of flying and hadnt flown in some years before then, and he convinced me to come here and check it out.
Little did he know what he would unleash. I can honestly say now I love flying and find it one of the true joys of life.
Thank you all for being here and for being part of my world.
Little did he know what he would unleash. I can honestly say now I love flying and find it one of the true joys of life.
Thank you all for being here and for being part of my world.
Jan 9, 2026 | 8:53 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,436
And it literally has been 25 years for me as well. Some of you may know I originally came here thanks to dhammer53, who I talked to on the old AOL Travel boards. I have a huge fear of flying and hadn’t flown in some years before then, and he convinced me to come here and check it out.
Little did he know what he would unleash. I can honestly say now I love flying and find it one of the true joys of life.
Thank you all for being here and for being part of my world.
Little did he know what he would unleash. I can honestly say now I love flying and find it one of the true joys of life.
Thank you all for being here and for being part of my world.
I miss the old AOL and Prodigy folks, but I found a home here. I last saw squeakr in San Francisco at a restaurant in North Beach. Sadly, she couldn't stay.
NB. I met my good friend mary2e on Prodigy in the mid/late 1990's. I'm about to start mentioning others, but it would be a long post.
Time to remember our dear friends that are now flying upfront (points up to sky).
dh
Jan 22, 2026 | 11:27 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,745
TravelManKen I have a wonderful story that shows just how patient & kind Ken is. Back in mid-2019 we did a trade: my UA miles (he was flying FC to Europe) for his AS miles. I was able to book part of his trip with my miles and he said he'd book AS flts for us when ready. Well, he booked numerous flts for me but we had to keep canceling because of Covid/illness/life, etc.
Fast forward to 2024 & we finally completed our travel with his miles. I'm surprised he never got angry, that I could see anyway, I apologized many times and told him if he ever saw another PM or email from me to just delete it. Ken, I owe you big time. Thanks for your kindness and patience.
Fast forward to 2024 & we finally completed our travel with his miles. I'm surprised he never got angry, that I could see anyway,
I apologized many times and told him if he ever saw another PM or email from me to just delete it. Ken, I owe you big time. Thanks for your kindness and patience.
Last edited by philemer; Jan 23, 2026 at 1:25 am