Star Mega Do 5
May 21, 2013, 9:20 pm
#31
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Amazing what happens when one continues to post as though they know all the details when, in fact, they don't. Seems to be a pattern of sorts in this forum for that type of behavior. A shame, really, as it has the potential to be useful to the community as a place for reasoned discussion instead of misinformation.
May 22, 2013, 5:56 am
#32
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Amazing what happens when one continues to post as though they know all the details when, in fact, they don't. Seems to be a pattern of sorts in this forum for that type of behavior. A shame, really, as it has the potential to be useful to the community as a place for reasoned discussion instead of misinformation.
And to be frank, I am asking these same questions in an open forum that many others ask and wonder about in PMs and emails, providing points and miles service providers an opportunity to publicly set the record straight.
So rather than an attack, a simple 'thank you' will do.
Anyway, if you know how the Megado is structured and operated and why a for profit LLC is listed alongside the FtEF as the operator of the charter, could you please enlighten the rest of us? After all, sharing information is what this place is all about. ^
Last edited by kokonutz; May 22, 2013 at 6:02 am
May 22, 2013, 10:48 am
#33
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Looks like those who tried to book on Monday have been accommodated:
And the balance of those seats go on sale in about 10 minutes!
I wish the FTEF and MEGADO, LLC better luck with their go-live this time! ^
Originally Posted by Randy
No do over. all those "in the system" have been contacted to book their seats and most have replied and been taken care of. When MegaDO reopens, it will pick u[ where it left off with available seats, right now about 40 in coach, two in TC Emergency Exit and a single business class seat.
I wish the FTEF and MEGADO, LLC better luck with their go-live this time! ^
May 22, 2013, 2:28 pm
#34
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I see them. I also see the statements - not questions - being made.
I don't know the full story and it isn't my company to speak on behalf of. But I did know that FTEF wasn't the charter company for this one before it was posted here. I don't think it matters, really, but that's because I have better things to do than pick apart every twist and turn of an organization whose existence has no material impact on my well being.
I don't know the full story and it isn't my company to speak on behalf of. But I did know that FTEF wasn't the charter company for this one before it was posted here. I don't think it matters, really, but that's because I have better things to do than pick apart every twist and turn of an organization whose existence has no material impact on my well being.
May 22, 2013, 3:27 pm
#35
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Most of us were lead to believe that Megados were non-profit productions of the FTEF (bolding mine):
Private Charter | Membership Information
MegaDOs are operated by the Frequent Traveler Education Foundation (FTEF)—a nonprofit 501c3 organization. Here is information on how to become a member to fly on a MegaDO.
MegaDOs are operated by the Frequent Traveler Education Foundation (FTEF)—a nonprofit 501c3 organization.
As a private charter, you must be a member of the FTEF to participate. To be a member costs $10 a year and must be charged prior to your buying a MegaDO ticket. You can cancel the membership at any time, but you have to be a member at the time of purchasing the ticket and at the time of the charter.
MegaDOs are operated by the Frequent Traveler Education Foundation (FTEF)—a nonprofit 501c3 organization. Here is information on how to become a member to fly on a MegaDO.
MegaDOs are operated by the Frequent Traveler Education Foundation (FTEF)—a nonprofit 501c3 organization.
As a private charter, you must be a member of the FTEF to participate. To be a member costs $10 a year and must be charged prior to your buying a MegaDO ticket. You can cancel the membership at any time, but you have to be a member at the time of purchasing the ticket and at the time of the charter.
The MegaDOs are currently run by the Frequent Traveler Education Foundation (FTEF), a nonprofit 501c3 organization. And for each public MegaDO we sell, there is a substantial capital cost and application cost in getting DOT approval for each event. The FTEF is a well-known, approved DOT charter operator, but the paper work costs us a lot of money every time. It also excludes us from using General Aviation terminals, which would also make things a lot easier.
Not judgment, accusation or anything even negative. Just a question!
I don't think it matters, really, but that's because I have better things to do than pick apart every twist and turn of an organization whose existence has no material impact on my well being.
May 22, 2013, 4:17 pm
#36
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It is also not clear to me where there is any mocking going on in my posts here. Perhaps you can have a moderator make that call if you feel them inappropriate.
Last edited by sbm12; May 22, 2013 at 4:22 pm
May 22, 2013, 8:26 pm
#37
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Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.
Thanks, but I am a strong believer in the marketplace of ideas. I would prefer that your posts stand and speak for themselves.
Anyway, we are getting far afield from the topic of this thread, which is Star Mega Do 5. @:-)
It is also not clear to me where there is any mocking going on in my posts here. Perhaps you can have a moderator make that call if you feel them inappropriate.
Anyway, we are getting far afield from the topic of this thread, which is Star Mega Do 5. @:-)
May 22, 2013, 8:31 pm
#38
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I am just wondering if the price point for charter, hotels and positioning flights kept people away.
I was not prepared to pay 2K in my case for a four day trip .
Air Canada is an expensive airline.
I was not prepared to pay 2K in my case for a four day trip .
Air Canada is an expensive airline.
May 22, 2013, 8:42 pm
#39
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So it seems like the market for the $2800 and the $1800 seats is strong, while the market for the $1200 seats is a little softer.
Maybe they should make the whole plane Tommy class? @:-)
May 23, 2013, 1:40 am
#40
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Regards Oliver2002
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May 23, 2013, 8:05 am
#42
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Tommy thinks the reason is the proximity of the NordicMD and SMD5 and is looking at increasing Tommy Class capacity (great minds think alike! 
)
From NYU on MP has a pretty exhaustive list of other potential reasons:
My guess is that it's hard to sell a 'once in a lifetime experience' to the same audience for the fifth time. And for better or for worse, the MP audience is much smaller than the FT audience (although I feel like I've done all I can to keep this thread at the top of the forum! ).
What holds me back from participating is the simple value proposition. That false-start Brazil Megado charter I would have done for $5k. But putzing around North America just doesn't get my juices flowing.
Anyway, I hope the boys can market and/or reconfigure their way to a sell-out.
)From NYU on MP has a pretty exhaustive list of other potential reasons:
1 - Higher pricing of the Do itself, let alone the fly-ins, hotels (not yet priced), etc.;
2 - Not a great grouping of activities, to me, unless and until exactly what AC is planning is explained more fully, and is there more to SF than dinner in a hangar, which we did on SMD4 just a few months ago;
3 - It’s another Star Mega Do, as opposed to a Skyteam or 1World Do, either of which would’ve gotten a bigger response;
4 - It’s jumping the gun a bit at this point to move to more Tommy Class, imo, but I understand the financial issues;
5 - The introduction of Gold & Diamond status may’ve put some people off, even though those sold, but the impression...;
6 - It’s tough to pull out that many weekdays in the lead-up to Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc., especially shortly after a just-previous Do; and,
7 - There wasn’t the same PR build-up as there was for OWMD, especially, and even for SMD4, with gatherings in cities and audio-visual announcement parties and streaming this‘ and thats.
2 - Not a great grouping of activities, to me, unless and until exactly what AC is planning is explained more fully, and is there more to SF than dinner in a hangar, which we did on SMD4 just a few months ago;
3 - It’s another Star Mega Do, as opposed to a Skyteam or 1World Do, either of which would’ve gotten a bigger response;
4 - It’s jumping the gun a bit at this point to move to more Tommy Class, imo, but I understand the financial issues;
5 - The introduction of Gold & Diamond status may’ve put some people off, even though those sold, but the impression...;
6 - It’s tough to pull out that many weekdays in the lead-up to Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc., especially shortly after a just-previous Do; and,
7 - There wasn’t the same PR build-up as there was for OWMD, especially, and even for SMD4, with gatherings in cities and audio-visual announcement parties and streaming this‘ and thats.
). What holds me back from participating is the simple value proposition. That false-start Brazil Megado charter I would have done for $5k. But putzing around North America just doesn't get my juices flowing.
Anyway, I hope the boys can market and/or reconfigure their way to a sell-out.
May 26, 2013, 1:06 pm
#43
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Some honest and frank navel-gazing on the MP thread.
I do think they are in a dilly of a pickle: they sold those platinum and gold memberships under the assumption that Megado seats would always be a prescious commodity and that having guaranteed access to them would have value.
Clearly this is not the case and the private charter approach has not even been implemented yet (under which one has to have paid $10 some months earlier just to have the opportunity to buy a seat thereby significantly limiting participation).
I would feel quite taken if I had paid $2k for a Guaranteed opportunity to buy a seat on a charter that looks like it may not sell out for another month or two.
I do think they are in a dilly of a pickle: they sold those platinum and gold memberships under the assumption that Megado seats would always be a prescious commodity and that having guaranteed access to them would have value.
Clearly this is not the case and the private charter approach has not even been implemented yet (under which one has to have paid $10 some months earlier just to have the opportunity to buy a seat thereby significantly limiting participation).
I would feel quite taken if I had paid $2k for a Guaranteed opportunity to buy a seat on a charter that looks like it may not sell out for another month or two.
May 26, 2013, 1:09 pm
#44
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