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The First EK "Do"
As many of you will know, there are regular social get togethers for FT Members, often referred to as "DO's"
Do a search and you will see a vast array of results. Some of these are forum/airline specific, and some are country specific. For example, this coming weekend, there is the SIN Do, held obviously here in Singapore. This event has been running for several years and receives very high reviews among attendees. People fly in from all over the world. I am keen to explore the possibility of having an EK Do, with a view to making it a social gathering, to discuss the Skywards program, to meet fellow FT'ers and to hopefully involve (officially or unofficially) folks from EK/Skywards. I would value your feedback as to what things you would like to see or do, how social you wish to make it, and which city you think would be most appropriate. Any/all feedback is welcome - as long as it's constructive. I would also welcome anyone who might like to assist in the organising of the event. I have created the poll above to suggest a possible location. In terms of dates, probably toward the second half of the year. We won't be able to please everyone and we will try and schedule the most convenient time in terms of travel (ie avoid peak times like European Summer etc)... Thanks for your help. Look forward to hearing from you. SIMON (eightblack) Moderator-EK Forum |
I have often wondered what "DO" stands for.
At this point, I have made precisely one return trip on EK, but I am planning more, and it may become one of my two preferred carriers. I have spent years based in North America and just made 1K (roughly speaking, platinum) in the United programme, but there are few entities on the planet that I despise as much as UA. (And as nearly as I can tell, they feel the same way about me.) I don't know if I will be able to make it, it might depend on timing, but I am based near SIN now, and expect to travel to LON a lot, transitting in DXB if it is on EK. And if it offers any opportunity to improve my rather retarded Arabic language skills, that's a bonus :) |
Social networking
Can we use a 'virtual' do. Perhaps a live chat session, or some frequent/high profile EK FTers on a video feed. I understand that it might not be significantly different than being on FT, but at least it might be more dynamic.
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Originally Posted by Persepolis
(Post 15647025)
I have often wondered what "DO" stands for.
At this point, I have made precisely one return trip on EK, but I am planning more, and it may become one of my two preferred carriers. I have spent years based in North America and just made 1K (roughly speaking, platinum) in the United programme, but there are few entities on the planet that I despise as much as UA. (And as nearly as I can tell, they feel the same way about me.) I don't know if I will be able to make it, it might depend on timing, but I am based near SIN now, and expect to travel to LON a lot, transitting in DXB if it is on EK. And if it offers any opportunity to improve my rather retarded Arabic language skills, that's a bonus :) For example, tomorrow at the SIN DO, we are having a tour of Changi Airport, being hosted by UA for a tour of their operations and then having a separate tour of the SATS catering complex, including lunch! The rest of the weekend is eating a lot, drinking some more and catching up with like minded people.
Originally Posted by ski023
(Post 15647102)
Can we use a 'virtual' do. Perhaps a live chat session, or some frequent/high profile EK FTers on a video feed. I understand that it might not be significantly different than being on FT, but at least it might be more dynamic.
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I think it's a great idea eightblack , was thinking about it since I read about the SIN Do. This should def. be hosted at the Hub.
Don't expect to be able to get into DXB for a tour .... though either way a small social gathering even for a small number of members is a start. |
Originally Posted by maeharasmuse
(Post 15646981)
Be carefull what you get into. That's a mighty big challenge you are setting yourself there. It's not that I'm opposed to the idea, quite on the contrary, but be carefull not to make it too ambitious.
- EK is not in alliance. It's a standalone airline, and therefore there's probably only one place where you can pull this off: DXB. - Of course it would be nice if you could fly between places, and that will take you straight into SE-Asia or Oceania. Where else does EK have connecting flights? - I dont' think there's much use/fun in flying to LHR, then flying back from LGW. LON is a spoke in the EK network. - EK fly widebodies: which would make it virtually impossible to organize any chartered flights. - Also, this is the GCC you are talking about. Whilst I really like/admire EK's cosmopolitan feel/service/public, this might be a challenge if you are going to have to accomodate both locals and internationals... Another major issue is the fact that you are the moderator of the forum, and therefore should not have too close a relationship (if any at all) with the airline and/or its management. Yet, clearly, in order for the DO to run smoothly and be well organised one would need the close collaboration of the airline, airport, DNATA, etc. I really think you need to clear this issue, before going forward. It might be a good to just start off with some kind of "MEETING" first, then if you are succesfull inviting the folks from EY, QR, etc. A DO is a big event to start off with... Anyway, good luck with the EK DO-initiative!! DXB might be a great place to hold the event, although I think there should also be some flying (chartered flights??) on the program... . After reading Mr Mods previous Trip Report, I'd guess he had a much smaller p... up, sorry social gathering in mind. I'm always looking for excuses to visit Dubai. How about we meet in the Dubliner and take it from there :D Cheers, Rick |
I've obviously voted for Dubai as that's a cab ride, part of me wanted one of the EK destinations I don't get to frequent though!
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Count me in. Any of these cities would be fine with me. Thanks for organizing and please let me know if I can help in any way.
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Originally Posted by maeharasmuse
(Post 15650756)
Well yeah, I guess that's what I would expect from it, really.
Along the lines of LH-UACO with their *A MEGA-DOs: All kinds of events at lots of places all over the world, then an official sent-off at one central hub, and stuff like that: http://www.starmegado.com/gallery/ Thing is, it always requires a minimum investment in time and money from the participants (with the EK flyertalk forum certainly not as busy as some other fora like CO or LH). And it would require a maximum investment in time and resources from the organizers, whereever and whomever they are... My thinking is that we will pick a location (ie most likely DXB), offer everyone the chance to attend, put together an agenda which can hopefully include EK/Skywards and use the first event to get to know one another and talk about common interests. No chartering planes, visiting the Airbus factory, or trying to build an event the size of the Star Alliance Mega-Do. Well not yet at least. And I'm happy to facilitate the logistics... Lets keep chatting and see where we get to. |
Great initiative. I am fully supportive. Please let me know what, if anything I can do to help. DXB makes the most sense to me as the location.
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Another vote for DXB. I'll definitely attend if I am in the country.
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Perhaps we could arrange a Friday brunch. I am on a mission to complete every one in town at the moment! It makes it easy to budget as it's a fixed cost for all you can eat/drink. They also do Saturday ones if Western based people need a weekend.
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The Dubai Do - Its On!
The overwhelming response to the poll was Dubai.
That's settled then... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...27-2011-a.html |
Originally Posted by eightblack
(Post 15703146)
The overwhelming response to the poll was Dubai.
That's settled then... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...27-2011-a.html |
Originally Posted by DYKWIA
(Post 15714278)
Grrrrr. That's the very week we've planned our summer holiday to the US :mad:
My humble apologies. It would have been great to have you there... SIMON |
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