Just checked the posting stats on The Box and I'd like to congratulate ALCO on his 600th post to our beloved thread. :D

And yes, I am congratulating him partly to pad my own post count in The Box.

I'm pretty sure that I'll only be able to sell a MR at home if I am just short of Platinum and can get it with one run.

Of course, I'll probably have to disguise it as work-related and not due to any association with FT. I've already been threatened with blocking the DNS within our home network ;)

Then again... he really likes being upgraded, so he's leaned that my status and always flying CO gets him into the good life. And the PC. And the W. LOL

John

As some other posters before have said , its for the redmption value
I just got 2 First Class tix on SQ from JFK-MLE , that i would not be able to purchase any other way. So the mileage runs paid off and my gf and I are riding in style.
I remind her of the benefits and she doesn't complain :cool:

My SBH sat in Y for the first time flying with me last week when we got US'ed. I thought she was going to break out in hives or something.

And, I'm proud to say I've never done a mileage run. I've taken some whacky routings going to visit my family for Christmas, but never done a trip for the sake of miles.

In other news - I need the box's help. My company has bestowed upon me $600 to spend on something "quasi-work related" (their words, not mine) because I hit a project out of the park. I was gunnin' for a an iPhone, but it's not compatible with our email exchange server. :rolleyes: So that eliminates the work related functionality as I'll be damned if I'm going to carry an iPhone, a Crack, and a stupid, stupid Nextel.

So, what do I do with $600 that's "quasi-work related"? I don't want to take a class, or something boring. I'm already short on time. I want a gizmo, or something I wouldn't ordinarily buy for myself. Thoughts?

And I have to spend the funds by the end of May (before EOQ).

Congrats on the good work. The deadline makes it a little harder, as Apple is going to have a MS Exchange integrated update for the iPhone sometime in June supposedly.

Given the time-frame, I'd either buy a new BlackBerry, depending on how old yours is, or come up with something completely off the wall. At a much lower price point I once bought a USB-controlled nerf rocket launcher for my desk as "quasi work related" so I've gone all over the place on that front. You can always head over to the FlyerTalk TravelTechTalk blog and look at some reviews of cool products there.

In my case I buy low, very low, and redeem high.

Blind Tiger is definitely better (bigger) in the new location and they have a great selection, but I wouldn't mind avoiding that chaos at all. :)

I try to avoid crossing north of 23rd street except for work (and lately I've been working from home a lot to even avoid that), but I can always make an exception on travel when good beer and company is involved. Plus it sounds like you know them, and that always helps.

Any suggestions on a date? I figure we should try to give a couple weeks notice, on the off chance some non-regular Box readers want to come, too.

Ticket to SJU for a "Workplace Efficiency Mental Restructuring Program," geared at "improving personal efficiency through mental reassessment/adjustment of goal-orientation," aided by a "restructuring of mental work-flow processes in a 'unique and stimulating' environment."

Translation: Beach, Booze, Golf & EQMs. ^

I was thinking I could spend it on internet access at the W MLE this August. But that's a work avoidance trip. I don't even want to be quasi involved. I just got back from SJD two days ago, and I'm still hungover, although I do like the idea. :cool:

Work would pay for a new crack. So, that's no fun. The iPhone isn't on the "approved" list, so it fits the bill. Regarding the exchange server in Beta test now, that's half the battle. We run Lotus Notes on a domino server. I know IBM said they were going to work on a solution, but I'm not holding my breathe we'll see something by year end.

Aha! A nerf launcher sounds like a good idea. Maybe that marshmallow canon I see in SkyMall.

And thanks for the link to the techy forum thing. I never knew that existed. If I venture too far outside my usual haunts on FT, I might end up in omni. :o

By the way - is Clear worth it for CO flyers? I just got a free membership but in looking over their location map - what's the point? I want Clear in EWR Terminal C!

Not sure how much time you spend in the office but there are some nice office chairs that go for around $600.

I'm not sure it's worth it for any flyer.

Got that right... I was in DEN when it was being rolled out. I went to the Elite line at A terminal and there were two guys in front of me for Clear (their line was one more over, but it was badly marked). It took them longer to go through than me, and that was with an expired license that gave me hell.

The one airport where I could see Clear making some sense is MCO, especially during peak tourist seasons.

But I'm far more interested in the TSA expanding its "Black Diamond" program and making that successful. I know HOU is included in the pilot group of airports for that program. I'm looking forward to trying it out in a few weeks.

The mention of a good office chair, brought this question to mind... (I apologize if this is too off topic - even for the Box)

Anyone have Herman Miller's Aeron chair? What do you think of it? I've sat in the standard Aeron chair (no lumbar support and few adjustments) several times for several hours and really liked it. I have not, however, sat in the Aeron with full adjustments and lumbar support. Is it worth the extra $200 or so?

I spend a lot of time at a desk each day and was thinking of inventing in a really nice chair with great comfort and support. If people have other suggestions on high-end office chairs, I'd be interested in hearing about those as well.

Go for the iPhone. I love mine... and in the unlikely event I need to get my work email, I can access it via webmail.

J