You know you’re getting old around here if you remember:

- That you recognize the PiP references without resorting to “search”.
- When you actually know some of the PiP attendees.
- When you know the names of Commander Catcop’s “Sergeants at Arms”.
- When you bemoaned to loss of your 744’s to the new-fangled 777s.
- When airlines cared about individual feedback from high mileage pax.
- When you copied and printed the text and links from gleff’s classic “What I’ve learned on Flyertalk” threads (at 1,000 and 2,000 posts!). Probably the threads which best define the true spirit of the boards, IMHO.
- When you know the name of Premex’s cool ride in the 70’s.
- When an FT moderator position was truly a part-time job. Or, for that matter, when individual boards required fewer mods than TSA screeners at BWI Piers 1 & 2.
- When you looked forward to posts by BWatson with awe and envy. Means and methods aside, the man flew more miles per year and was knowledgeable in more carriers than any other FTer past or since. RIP, Barton.
- When the term “FT Evangelist” meant more than “egomaniac”.
- When there was no list (and no need for one) of the “13 things you cannot say” on FT.
- When FT-Dos were truly more about the community than any specific cult of personality.
- When airline lounges were more about comfort than internet access.

Please feel free to add your own items (especially trivia) or answer the trivia questions above.

- When FT Evangelist was awarded after 250 posts!
- When FT didn't include non-miles forums; those were part of Dorian's Flyers' Places
- Old Gold Sootkase Tags
- Arturo
- AA VIPOWs confirmable out of paid F on domestic flights, AS mileage upgrades from paid F (5k points each way!)
- InfiniteAirways Points, MX PVR runs, BA $20 WT+ fares, Goldpoints/Valumags, Baht Runs, when we could buy magazine subscriptions from Randy and fly the concorde...

Are you getting a little sentimental today?

Good points and I can remember almost all of them. Along with the days when there were few threads outside of OMNI with posts usually containing more smilies than text. When threads focused more on the positives or looking for information and assistance, rather than complaining and asking "Do I deserve compensation?"

-When a "hot" thread had just a 1000 views a week.
-When we still had thread ratings and reputation ratings.
-When no one knew who was on TalkBoard or what TalkBoard did. (Hey, wait, that still hasn't changed )
-How we ever survived without the Report Bad Post button.

. . . when Merry and baobab posted regularly.

Honestly, I didn't know that Commander Catcop had "Sergeants at Arms." (If someone remembers who they were PM me. YIKES! I must be getting old)

Catcop had "Acting Commander Catcops" and I can remember a few (and a few who got FIRED for being bribed by beer!) So in that aspect you know you are getting old.

>When you remember and have attended one of the first Flyertalk events (Boston in March, 1997!) And can name all the guests.

>When you recall the first Freddies events only had about a dozen or so Flyertalkers attending (and you remember most of the attendees!)

>When you remember Commander Catcop (who continues to enjoy retirement and watching things from afar.)

>When you meet a "newbee" for the first time and you are flattered and a little shocked when they say "oh, you been on Flyertalk forever!"

But I say I"m not getting older... I'm getting sillier!

*When NJ David posted on the board.

*You fondly remember two great Flyertalkers: johna and raeban

And program wise:

*You used United Connection.

*Sheraton and Westin were two SEPARATE frequent snoring miles programs.
(think they were Club Sheraton a program you PAID to keep membership in and Westin Premier)

Well, FT has certainly changed, but I think it's improving dramatically:

* Larger community
* More information and opinions due to larger community
* More dynamic and diverse group of people and opinions
* Less of a "core clique" that "runs the show"; more open to all
* More real business travellers who give excellent travel information

All in all, things are looking better and better on FT every day. ^^^

The disk-based software was better than ual.com is even today. RIP.

Correct.

when folks who joined in 1998 consider themselves getting old on FT

*You remember Rudi's "Omni" awards (before that word became a forum.) - Bonus if you know who some of the winners were.

*You followed the adventures of Pudding Guy.

*You mistake your PIP passport for yoru real one.

Yes the community has grown but it's also good to appreciate the history of what happened and what brought us to what the board is today.

(I"m a lover of history. Can't help it.)

I"m not old number wise but in the sense of my Flyertalk "character." Eight years! Wow! (haven't stayed on one job for eight years!)

boy, do I feel old today.

I still remember the day in Aug 1998 when I stumbled upon FT.

Life hasn't been the same since ^^

When you can remember back when there would usually be less than a dozen posts per day on the weekends.

If you participated in "Free Blue Sky".

If you remember when Matt Wald used to post.

If you had a seat on the PIP Express. ^

Things I remember with nostalgia;

- InnPoints takeover by Village Idiot with his hysterical stories, including the one where a friend was pinned under his family garage door with it vibrating up and down on him

- Village Idiot wheeling up his hotdog cart when a flame fest was ramping up

- celbrain taking over TAROM, appointing himself CEO for life, and annointing some of us TAROM goddesses. **sigh**

- PremEx's spectacular United site, where I learned all the unpublished ins and outs of the UA program

- Rudi and his warm Swiss welcome to all (Greuzi??)

- QuietLion's superb trip reports, and Jailer's win of the QuietLion writing report - whereupon clad in a tuxedo, he managed to cause a waitress to trip, dumping her tray of drinks

- 2 Many Miles, Darren, and richlond with their command of the intricacies of OneWorld RTWs and patiently sharing with me

- chexfan and his green pants

- Catman and his New York Dos