Many folks at CO DO IV were more than a bit disappointed to hear that it was likely the last major event like that which Continental would be sponsoring for FlyerTalkers. Well, there isn't another major CO Do in the works (at least not that I know of) but there is something almost as good in terms of Continental tours and way cooler in terms of general aerophilic fun: StarMegaDo2010.

Unlike the CO Dos there is a cost to participate in this one. You will have to pay for your seat on the charter flights that we'll be taking all day on Friday, November 5th to participate in the events with Continental. It will also include events with US Air in Phoenix and with Boeing in Everett, Washington, home of their wide-body assembly plant.

Yes, I did say charter flight. We'll have a plane or two - CO metal, likely a 753 and an additional 753, 738 or 739 depending on demand - chartered for the day on Friday. But that's after we have a full day on Thursday with events sponsored by Continental. It is going to be a blast. Oh, and if you really want to splurge there's also the option to head over to FRA on Monday night for some partying with the folks from Lufthansa.

Registration just opened up last Friday so now's the time to show your interest and reserve your spot. Check out the thread in CommunityBuzz or the event website for more information.

Do you get EQM for the flights?

I registered a few days ago. See you all in Houston!

Maybe. We did last year and we're working with the airlines to get that on the benefits package again this year but it isn't finalized yet.

I believe they're still working on it. Last year, it was 15,000 for the charter through Europe.

ETA: Snap, sbm12.

I would not expect it to be that generous this year.

From what I gather, it sounds like this is certainly something the organizers are working on, but no firm indication as yet. Suffice to say, EQMs will not be the main draw of this event!

I put in my sign-up (along with my father, his 2nd DO) on Friday. I'm patiently awaiting confirmation and deposit payment. Looking forward to it!

Is there an option to sign up if you're just planning on doing the IAH events?

"I agreed to WHAT?!?!" comes to mind.

I asked about this a few weeks ago, and was told if I didn't pay for the charter flight, I couldn't attend anything. I'm actually going through IAH about the time the CO parts are happening, and thought it would be good to check it out a bit. No such luck.

Not at this point. There is a dinner event on Thursday night in Houston - the Frequent Traveler Awards - that will be open to everyone but the tours and such are limited to participants on the charter flights due to the capacity constraints we're faced with.

That seems a bit odd. I could understand an airport event where space is limited, but you'd think the awards ceremony at the least could accomodate the locals.

{edited to add} Thanks smb -- just saw your reply after I posted. To sign up for the dinner is there anything special we should do?

It is the tours that are limited, not the FT Awards dinner. :-:
Information about that event will be coming soon and will be publicized separately as it is a separate event that just happens to have many of the same coordinators.

Glad to know that at least the dinner is open to everyone, as there's a really good chance I could make that. Thanks to the scheduling of everything else during the week, there's little chance I could do any of the flights. I'd love to do the tours as well, but if the charter flights are required, then sadly, I can't make it.

sbm12 Some of us can't take that much time off , it would be nice if there was a stateside option to this event, possibly at IAH