One Mile at a Time [OMaaT] discussions [merged]
#541
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,419
Just read the article. It is even worse then I thought based on the upthread comments. He is running away from something for sure. If they still print Psychology Today this would be a good article for that publication.
Article is really poorly written and the writer seems like he became a fanboy. Sloppy research and reporting. Then again, it's RS so the bar is pretty low.
No questions about how a 15 year old can get top tier status without having parents foot the bill? Someone was paying for those tickets. Oh wait. He kept reusing those UA certificates. Never mind.
Article is really poorly written and the writer seems like he became a fanboy. Sloppy research and reporting. Then again, it's RS so the bar is pretty low.
No questions about how a 15 year old can get top tier status without having parents foot the bill? Someone was paying for those tickets. Oh wait. He kept reusing those UA certificates. Never mind.
#542
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,513
Felt sad after reading that article. This is not a life well-lived (at least by my standards). No home, no base, transient friends. No time for a real relationship.
Obviously, no time for psychotherapy. It is taking being homeless to a whole other level. I have heard a homeless man describe why he enjoys living on the streets: " I have everything available, good sex, drugs, and I am free to go where I want."
Obviously, no time for psychotherapy. It is taking being homeless to a whole other level. I have heard a homeless man describe why he enjoys living on the streets: " I have everything available, good sex, drugs, and I am free to go where I want."
#543
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stockholm
Programs: Various
Posts: 3,365
His dad worked for a bank according to the article. What it doesn't say but is easy to guess is what kind of bank it was. The Linkedin profile of, I presume, his brother Michael reveals he's a VP at [redacted]. Hid dad Arnold used to be the New York general manager of [redacted]bank (today merged into [redacted]bank). Not exactly poor people.
Last edited by oliver2002; Jul 21, 2015 at 7:58 am Reason: redacted details, feel free to google
#544
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: K+K
Programs: *G
Posts: 4,859
Of course, it's easy for "insiders" to be dismissive of the article -- i too find it amusingly over-romaniticized -- but again RS has to speak to a broader audience .... and to them, flying longhaul F is pretty ritzy, dreamy stuff
#545
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
Unfortunately was taken out of context while referencing one industry executive. Certainly wasnt talking about industry execs as a whole, as there are plenty of great programs run by brilliant people. I certainly regret saying anything that could be interpreted to suggest otherwise. But I guess thats what happens when youre interviewed for over a hundred hours and then they cherry-pick what goes in the article. The first time I saw the story was after it was published.
#546
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: K+K
Programs: *G
Posts: 4,859
Veracity of finished article came out somewhere between 50-75% of the truth. Although they were all quite innocuous, I would never voluntarily subject myself to this misrepresentation again.
I don't believe half of what I read in the "news" now
#547
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,419
His dad worked for a bank according to the article. What it doesn't say but is easy to guess is what kind of bank it was. The Linkedin profile of, I presume, his brother Michael reveals he's a VP at [redacted]. Hid dad Arnold used to be the New York general manager of [redacted]bank (today merged into [redacted]bank). Not exactly poor people.
Last edited by oliver2002; Jul 21, 2015 at 7:59 am Reason: redacted the quote
#548
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,387
Actually RS have some really talented writers. Matt Taibbi for one.
Of course, it's easy for "insiders" to be dismissive of the article -- i too find it amusingly over-romaniticized -- but again RS has to speak to a broader audience .... and to them, flying longhaul F is pretty ritzy, dreamy stuff
Of course, it's easy for "insiders" to be dismissive of the article -- i too find it amusingly over-romaniticized -- but again RS has to speak to a broader audience .... and to them, flying longhaul F is pretty ritzy, dreamy stuff
#549
Article is really poorly written and the writer seems like he became a fanboy. Sloppy research and reporting. Then again, it's RS so the bar is pretty low.
No questions about how a 15 year old can get top tier status without having parents foot the bill? Someone was paying for those tickets. Oh wait. He kept reusing those UA certificates. Never mind.
No questions about how a 15 year old can get top tier status without having parents foot the bill? Someone was paying for those tickets. Oh wait. He kept reusing those UA certificates. Never mind.
#550
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
OMAAT response:
Unfortunately was taken out of context while referencing one industry executive. Certainly wasnt talking about industry execs as a whole, as there are plenty of great programs run by brilliant people. I certainly regret saying anything that could be interpreted to suggest otherwise. But I guess thats what happens when youre interviewed for over a hundred hours and then they cherry-pick what goes in the article. The first time I saw the story was after it was published.
Perhaps he was discussing one particular executive before or after the printed "idiots" quote. But the use of plurals in the RS-quoted sentences doesn't add up against the claim that he was referring to only one person in particular.
#551
Used to be 'Scooter'
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: SAN
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 398
Ben sounds like he's a bit of an introvert, that's all. I totally get where he's coming from, and it doesn't necessarily mean he's clinically depressed and in need of help.
#552
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: ORD (formerly SAN)
Programs: Hilton Diamond; IHG Platinum; Bonvoy Gold; AA Platinum Pro and United Premier Silver (DH = AA EXP)
Posts: 1,927
Not to pick on your comment directly, but what is it about someone wanting to be alone that sends people into panic? Some people (myself included) are just wired like that. I've lived my entire life so far not having a strong desire to have lots of friends, and I'm a very happy guy and satisfied in life. Friends are important, yes, but I don't base my happiness upon being around other people.
Ben sounds like he's a bit of an introvert, that's all. I totally get where he's coming from, and it doesn't necessarily mean he's clinically depressed and in need of help.
Ben sounds like he's a bit of an introvert, that's all. I totally get where he's coming from, and it doesn't necessarily mean he's clinically depressed and in need of help.
Here's another thought...what about the thousands of other people who fly all the time with no purpose other than to go hub to hub and earn a paycheck? They are called pilots and flight attendants. Not really different here.
Also, to the people criticizing him about who's paying for his travel when he was younger... Like most of us, he took family trips, vacations, holidays and trips to visit family and friends in other locals. As a 15 or 16 year old, no he didn't pay for the tickets. But why is it different with him than when we tagged along with our own parents on family trips or vacations or holidays as kids and teens?
There's a lot of sour grapes in here, and I'm not quite sure why.
#553
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,736
I feel like there was some sort of movie out there with a ridiculously handsome business man who lives out of a suitcase and tended to shut himself off from real friendships and relationships other than making a connection with another frequent flyer... The name of the article might be a clue
#554
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,419
Agreed. Does anyone in this thread even know Ben? I've had a few conversations with him back about 10 years ago when I was just getting "into" FT. He's always truly loved flying, traveling, and the experience. That's his passion and he's getting to live it. How many people really get to do that with their lives?
Here's another thought...what about the thousands of other people who fly all the time with no purpose other than to go hub to hub and earn a paycheck? They are called pilots and flight attendants. Not really different here.
Also, to the people criticizing him about who's paying for his travel when he was younger... Like most of us, he took family trips, vacations, holidays and trips to visit family and friends in other locals. As a 15 or 16 year old, no he didn't pay for the tickets. But why is it different with him than when we tagged along with our own parents on family trips or vacations or holidays as kids and teens?
There's a lot of sour grapes in here, and I'm not quite sure why.
Here's another thought...what about the thousands of other people who fly all the time with no purpose other than to go hub to hub and earn a paycheck? They are called pilots and flight attendants. Not really different here.
Also, to the people criticizing him about who's paying for his travel when he was younger... Like most of us, he took family trips, vacations, holidays and trips to visit family and friends in other locals. As a 15 or 16 year old, no he didn't pay for the tickets. But why is it different with him than when we tagged along with our own parents on family trips or vacations or holidays as kids and teens?
There's a lot of sour grapes in here, and I'm not quite sure why.
#555
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,387
I feel like there was some sort of movie out there with a ridiculously handsome business man who lives out of a suitcase and tended to shut himself off from real friendships and relationships other than making a connection with another frequent flyer... The name of the article might be a clue