Slightly off topic (but mentioned a few times on this thread): Where does one pick up some FT luggage tags?

Thanks.

Very interesting topic here. Especially since I'm reading it during the last days of Cow Do III.

Every group has people you won't like. I wouldnt be surprised if I hear people didnt love me this weekend.

But I honestly feel most all FTers are good people. Just not every good person gets along.

Oh, Marysunshine, I am so sorry that someone was rude to you. You alway make an effort to be so nice.

Always remember, however, that, unless you shot their dog, slashed their tires, or (God forbid) stole their upgrade, the only reason for people to act mean-spirited, vicious, unkind and hateful, is because they are feeling mean-spirited, vicious, unkind and hateful. People who treat others badly do so because they don't much like themselves, suffer from jealousy, insecurity, intimidation, or anxiety, and somehow think that they will feel a little better about themself if they put somebody else down. Sad but true.

Unfortunately, there isn't a lot we can do about people who are unhappy with themselves and their lot in life. Just offer up a prayer and go sit with the fun and friendly folks.

wouldn't that be all of the above ?;)

Ummmm.........yeah.......... :D I vaguely remember some very "merlot" moments at SeaDoo9 :cool: :)

Can't remember meeting a FT'er I didn't get along with. Sorry for the bad experience.

Many years ago, I boarded a flight on AA to LAS. As I was going to my seat in F, I noticed a guy with a FT tag. I mentioned it to him and he like did everything he could to not acknowlege my question or even my existence.

As someone stated, why have the tags if you don't want to communicate with other FTers? This last weekend my FT tag was spotted at the RCC in SYD by another FT and I spotted one at the Arrivals lounge in SFO. Nice guys and had pleasant conversations with both.

I do believe, however - and this may be just my paranoia - that some people are not as friendly because I am a Mod in a particualr forum and have had make some unpopular decisions (unpopular to them). I hope that is not the case, but i guess we shall really see what happens in SFO in a few weeks.

And I'm looking forward to seeing you there! :)

Just your paranoia. We'd luv you regardless of what decisions you make.:p

The SFO DO next week will be my first-- can't wait to meet everybody. Just no crazy initiations for the noob- ok ??? ;)

Damn, there goes the fun...

You don't have to be that honest. :(

That sounds like a very odd person. :eek:

It's amazing the things I can get into, get out of, or get started after only being somewhere for a very short time... :D

A couple of years ago we went to our row, 15 on a 747, and were spotted by another flyertalker who was very friendly and chatted all the way to wherever we were going. It was probably NRT/SIN or maybe SYD. One of those far off places.

It turned out to be iluv2fly. :D :D

I forgot handsy! ;)

It was SYD on the way to an OZ Do. And Hunki gave me terrific advice that trip.

Thanks for the compliment! :)

Redbeard made me wear an owl costume to my first dinner...just wait till you see what's in store for you!

:cool:

Oh that's right. That was the flight that got delayed on the ground out of LAX (or was it SFO) and then got delayed again a few feet from the jetway in SYD. My longest flight ever. ;)

Thanks for helping the time fly by.

Just did my BWI-LAX-SYD-CNS-SYD-LAX-DEN-BWI loop with my new tags and couldn't find any FT's but it sure helped me spot my luggage!!

Indeed. I've met a number of FT'rs, some on mileage runs (rtarbuck, humanoid94 and sbagdon to name a few), others just coincidence noticing their yellow tags. Most of us are amazingly friendly I think!

You haven't meet me yet:)

And just to add, I've never been to one of the big dos but do know people who post on FT & and they are great friends. Usually I'm on the quiet side till I get to know some one but feel I would get along with almost anyone on FT.
Which reminds me if anyone is through CLT I work pm shift shoot me a pm.

If anyone sees my pink rollaboard with a flyertalk luggage tag I'll usually talk unless I have a tight connection.

I got spotted on a NW flight deplaning once. I would have been more talkative, but I was trying to run to the bathroom.

Whoe... what a thread but some decent points are made.

But first... Moderators... please edit the following or delete... you have full rain. If you wnat to suspend me... well after seven years maybe it's time. :)

One of my regrets of Catman Do 3 (and why there wont' be a #4 but FT-ers say never say never) is that I probably dissed some people and didn't get to talk to everyone because I was busy as organizer and trying to accomdate people. I admit it and I'm sorry.

It's why I don't attend most dos (the main reason I have a very very busy business that I can't walk away from every other weekend.) People will get lost in the crowd while the more prolific posters may get all the attention. I go to events and people say "Oh it's the Catman!"

Another reason I skip most of the dos is I'm not everyone's can of Pepsi or bottle of Sam Adams. I'm different and I travel to my own flightplan in life. My closest friends (and shock! Some of them are Flyertalkers!) say there is nothing wrong with my offbeatness.

I don't like every flyertalker... I'm sorry and I feel uncomfortable being at a gathering with someone I don't get aloen with (I have to do that at my "real" Job 40 hours a week!) I want to avoid drama. I'm 41 and I'm too old for high school drama.

I try to talk to everyone at the smaller NYC events. Some people end up making a major personal impact on me and become very good friends (and one a Big Bruddar ;) )

(Speaking of that we need to have more monthly NYC events!) ;)

I'm sorry for those of you that got dissed. have to admit I've seen it at F-T events... It's hard with a big event and not enough time for everyone to get their two minutes with everyone else.

In a purrfect world... everyone would have an equal voice and an equal presence.

Ok, let teh Catman Flaming get underway. :)

But some final points:

MarySunshine... I'm really really sorry you got ignored and if I may permit myself to invite you to a certain Cat's SOup Do On Friday, Dec 21:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=731332

If anyone disses you dhammer and I will have a little "chat" with him. ;) you are on my unwritten list of people to meet on F-T.

Mary2E we have a standing date to meet up in Jersey City. I enjoyed anytime we had a chance to chat but I'd like more time to hear your story and hear of yoru travel experiences.

Blair, it's nice to se eyou post again. I see you and I miss seeing you and miss my Paris. :(

For any Flyertalker who got dissed... if you are in NYC/Jersey City area please PM I CANNOT promise I'll be available because of business commitments BUT I'm always up for meeting Flyertalkers.

Finally, to my kind and beautiful and respected FRIEND and SISTER BELLE anyone who disses you isn't worth the time of day. I have to admit I was nervous about meeting you and makign a bad impression. You are a lady and I tip my hat to you and wait for you to return to NYC hopefully in the coming months!

You are so far the highlight of my year on Flyertalk and I thank you for spending time with me. :)

If you PM me the disser's name I'll have Eddie my Cat (who also thinks you are BEAUTIFUL) to have a little Cat chat. His claws need a trimming ;)

Simply, Flyertalk is one large, multi-dimentional, somewhat disfunctional family like most families. But we've survived almost eigth years and hopefully will into the future if we all just try to RESPECT if not like each other.

OK, I'm ready for my suspension now.

In looking over this thread as it's progressed today, it's interesting to note that I've had one-on-one lunches or dinners with 6 posters on this thread (you know who you are), and attended group functions with 3 of those that I can recall, plus 15 other posters on this thread, most recently in Seattle. I really can't think of any bad experiences to post. I don't think it's the norm for FTers to be ran off at any event I've been to, and if there's a pattern to make folks feel unwelcome it must have gone right by me, and I'm probably towards the top of the list for attending events over the last 7 years.

I think that was me. Sorry I kept you -- urgent is urgent! :eek: ;)
Perhaps another time...

I've got my own FT tags now & have been spotted on both trips since I got them -- a much higher rate than I would ever have dreamed.

And, tom911, you have had coffee in Singapore, in the rain, with three other FlyerTalkers, and walked an art exhibition.

That was such a lovely afternoon. Here is a picture. I remember that trip fondly and always want to rush back to SIN whenever I think of it.

I had a great time in SIN, and I'm already booked to go back in May in conjunction with the Hobart DO (love the One World awards that let you mix and match).

One of the best DO's I've been to was the one hosted by AlanW, which included a Feast in Sitges in 2005. I don't think I've ever eaten so much meat at one time. Take a look at the photos.

If you're paying, you can make that 7, tom. ;)

I agree with the others who found this behavior odd. The only reason to put the FlyerTalk tags on your hand luggage is to have other FTers come up and introduce themselves. :confused:



Marysunshine, OnAMileHigh, while there is an automatic open invitation to all FlyerTalkers to attend every Meet, I would like to specifically invite the two of you to the upcoming PBI-FLL. I can not guarantee that each and every FTer there will love you (I am certain that each and every person present will not love me) I can promise you a warm welcome and am certain that you will get along well with the great majority who will be there.


Exactly. There are always some people, in any group, who are going to be unfriendly. I have found them to be a miniscule minority among FTers. The really strange thing is that I have met a number of FTers whose on line personality I did not like but in person they turned out to be wonderful people.

Aww shucks. :) And we still weren't rude to you, even though you were late to dinner. ;) Edited to add: oops, that was a different time!

I definitely see some Pot calling the kettle black on this thread :rolleyes:

I haven't forgotten about you and look forward to it also. It's just that I almost never get to JC - Your next soup do is on my list!

Hello All:
Thank you for all the very kind words and invitations. Please let me explain that the gentleman that I perceived as rude, I do not believe intended to be rude. He muttered kind of under his breath as I think he was eager to chat with the other two or three people that were there. Perhaps he was annoyed at the lady taking up his time and attention asking questions about Chicago. Although I understand that, I think part of the purpose of meeting up is to share information, whether it be about miles or anything related to travel. Additionally, the age thing made me very uncomfortable as I have children and grandchildren as well as many friends younger than I and they don't seem to percieve me as "old".
I have been to a few get togethers, as well as Freddie's dinners and found almost everyone very welcoming and friendly. When I saw the OP's message, it just touched a nerve from the Chicago visit. Thus I had found an opportunity to say what I had been feeling.
I am very appreciative of all the support and I thank you once again.

Whew! I am so glad Marysunshine that you have decided not to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

There is no question that their are some unfriendly types on FT. I have had folks make nasty posts about me, and met folks at DOs who were just as rude and nasty, in real life as they are on line, but putting up with (read ignoring) their foolishness is a small price to pay for the fabulous friends that I have made all around the world.

Heck, I was once even advised by a reall rudee that I was not welcome to attend a DO, which says a lot more about him than it does about me. You know what they say--"You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince". :)

Then, on the other hand, some of the finest, most wonderful, generous, and loving people I know are folks that I have me on FT, and they make it all worthwhile.

I guess FT is a lot like real life--you have to take the bad with the good.

As a sparee who almost avoided a Do because I saw SchmutzigMSP was going to be there, I can vouch that he really is a good guy and I was glad to meet him and hear some of his stories. (Now if we could only have a SchmutzigMSP meets NWAFA Do....)

DW and I (late 50s then) met up with a young male (late 20s maybe) Fter in Hawaii a couple yrs. ago and attended a luau together. He was very cordial and a nice guy. However, when I emailed him upon our return to the mainland he wouldn't respond. Tried again & still no response. Oh well, I tried. :)


Then, on the bright side, my DW & I had a couple of "DOs" with Mr & Mrs kaukau on Maui last year. What a fun time. Hope to see them again soon. :)

You know, I almost thought the same thing... ;) But having met nroscoe, I would not hesitate sharing a drink/meal/experience with him again. We may have our differences, but our attendance at this past SEA DO allowed us (or at least me) to "get" where the other was coming from, which is ultimately the most rewarding thing about FT for me.

Now it's bygones be bygones and all that. :)

I've been to a number of small lunches/dinners around Chicago, typically 3 to 12 FT'ers, plus one wonderful get together in MCO with a dozen or more. Mrs. Gargoyle has been with to a number of these, and her opinion is that she's always interested in going with me to the smaller gatherings, no more than about 8 people, but she's not interested in a big DO... simply because there will be too many new people at once, too much confusion to be able to get good conversations and you'll only get to know 5 or 6 people anyway... so why not just meet 5 or 6 at a time. I can see the appeal of a big DO, but I see her point too. Of course, she doesn't participate in FT, so she won't be familiar with any of the handles or the characters behind the handles.

I think the big gatherings will by nature have some folk who are ill at ease with a first meeting of people they don't know, and with the surreal shift from virtual space to physical space, so awkwardness, social faux pas, and things that appear like dissing will be par for the course. All of that can be worked through if it's recognized for what it is.

I thought you have to kiss Prince a lot before you find Michael Jackson :confused: