i have never been to a DO, tho to my regret, i totally missed a DO an hour from home (TLV).

but i wonder--what do you get out of DOs? do you travel to them, or go only if they are nearby? are there certain people who are avid DOers?

fill me in please.

I enjoy them because it's a chance to meet people in "real" life

I have travelled to London, Chicago, New York for them. I guess for me it's a chance to see friends I've made from FT and meet new people as well. Most often I find them to be a blast!

some interesting answers to your question can be found here

I do not like DOS.

I prefer the Apple Macintosh operating system. I even prefer the Microsoft Windows operating systems rather than DOS.

This is my Basic answer, which probably does not deserve a grade higher than C++. I hope I do not get COBOLed by other FlyerTalk members by answering the question posed by haniboo in this manner.

Although we have indeed made some points discussing programs, shouldn�t this thread be in the Travel Technology forum?!?

Many of us being avid FF's, flying to a DO is part of what it's all about. In fact, the further the DO, the better we like it.

You can always tell when someone is not totally into maximizing miles and points when you see comments like these:

* "Hey, finally a DO that's close to home. I just might attend!!"

* "Wow, that DO is close enough that I might even drive!!"

DO's are about making new friends, sharing FT war stories and seeing how far you can travel and how long you can stay for the fewest $$'s and the most points/miles.

no comment

and if you're in a town, lets say San Diego, you just ask if someone's available for dinner - if you get more than 12, you just had a DO at your final destination of you mileage run or your business trip @:-)

edited to add: some people even meet at weird places like El Paso, Ljubljana or (in 2008 ) Bratislava

It's a great way to see a far away place from a local's perspective. Usually, the local Do organizers chose excellent restaurants, bars, activities, etc. The UK's Jenbel comes to mind as exceptionally talented at this.
It's the kind of local know-how you could spend (waste?) a lot of time scouring guide books for.
There's also some great comraderie to be had when you're sharing the flights with other FTers.
Even the "mini-Do's" (the "im at ____ tonight, anyone up for dinner/drinks?")..these are great ways to learn about great places to eat if you're stuck at an airport. Lucky9867coins and his Hola! Do's come to mind-- as does a fantastic brunch in FRA, hosted bey cathanna & flygva, and a great Greek place near LAX a couple of local FTers introduced me to.

for the FRA brunch, the award goes to cathaana and flygva

you can hold me responsible for the Stuttgart Stammtisch (hint: fall 07), FlyerTalk Tour de France Series (this year: TLS Airbus DO) & the European Edition of Who will be the next FlyerTalk Member to Post. An OMNI GAME - LIVE DOs (we just had LJU and will meet at BTS next year)

I have never done a do, but would love to do a do. I wish there was a calendar that was a sticky that would look just like a calendar on a wall with all of the do's for a particular day listed. If that was not possible at least a do list in chronilogical order that is stuck to the top. This would help all who do do's including the ones that want to do do.

By the way what is the difference between a mini do and a do and are there any other do's that I should know about. I do want to do do.

Rarely used DO Calendar

A DO is typically at least 12 people with multiple events planned. Mini-do is less people, I suppose.

Agree with others: great to "really" meet other FT'ers.

I feature DOs in a weekly entry on the FT blog, The Gate - one do within the next month and another in 3-6 months' time. But the best way to find out about dos is to frequently read the Community Buzz forum.

Which is one reason I try to make some Dos in europe each year But good company, good FF & travel info and putting a face to the handle are all good reasons.

I've probably met as many FTers outside dos as within, either they are visiting my home city (check out the where we all live thread) or I am visiting theirs, or we are both somewhere else.

I don't go to an out of town do unless it is in a place I want to go - even though I like to visit with friends and/or meet new people, it is the location that interests me. The ones at home (mini dos) are to meet up with friends and/or visit a restaurant I have not been to or that I particularly like. It is NOT to discuss miles and points, despite the fact that is usually what UA people want to do (where is the yawning icon?).