FTU Tampa
Oct 16, 2013, 1:19 pm
#46
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You think the "DO" has changed? Obviously I haven't been here nearly as long as you have, but it seems like back them (say 4+ years ago) people actually knew the face that matched the ft handle, whereas now it's the old-timers vs. the new people who stumble on the forum and get bashed for asking newbie questions. Maybe DO's in Canada are just ... different. I have no idea, honestly.
Oct 16, 2013, 4:09 pm
#47
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For years, my morning reading has included FT and travel blogs. I learned from them, early on, that FTU was slated for a TPA locale this fall. I have a home in TPA and thought how cool and easy it would be to go to FTU therefore. As we moved through the summer months and into fall, I found so little FTU "hype" that I began to wonder if going would be worth it or not. The event just didn't seem to be promoted all that much. It's website seemed lackluster to me, and even as the date got closer the focus on the sites I read highlighted the Chicago "do" w/ample enthusiasm. The seemingly lack of groundswell about the TPA FTU kept me away because I figured it was so poorly promoted perhaps there just wasn't much to it.
Oct 16, 2013, 6:23 pm
#48
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Sounds like a discovery from our Blue Martini sessions that followed our Shula's sessions last time we were in Tampa together koko ...
+1, you forgot "Kettles" on your list ...
+1, and the beer towers by the pool are definitely beneficial for lubricating the conversation.
Here's my perspective, back in the day I would go to a Do and hang out with some people talk about jobs, sports, current events, families, food, booze, and even some travel and the purpose of FT was to get the maximum value of the airline, hotel, and rental car loyalty programs. Now the vocal minority of FT is obsessed with shamelessly extracting every last ounce of value from the airlines, hotels, and rental car companies and that is often the first and last thing they want to talk about, and no doubt that's in part due to the way some have turned it in to a career instead of a hobby (back in the day Randy was the only one who had made a career out of it ...). Now I sound like an old coot longing for the good ole' days I know ...
+1, you forgot "Kettles" on your list ...
+1, and the beer towers by the pool are definitely beneficial for lubricating the conversation.
Here's my perspective, back in the day I would go to a Do and hang out with some people talk about jobs, sports, current events, families, food, booze, and even some travel and the purpose of FT was to get the maximum value of the airline, hotel, and rental car loyalty programs. Now the vocal minority of FT is obsessed with shamelessly extracting every last ounce of value from the airlines, hotels, and rental car companies and that is often the first and last thing they want to talk about, and no doubt that's in part due to the way some have turned it in to a career instead of a hobby (back in the day Randy was the only one who had made a career out of it ...). Now I sound like an old coot longing for the good ole' days I know ...
And good analysis, one 'old coot' to another.
Oct 17, 2013, 1:19 am
#49
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
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Here's my perspective, back in the day I would go to a Do and hang out with some people talk about jobs, sports, current events, families, food, booze, and even some travel and the purpose of FT was to get the maximum value of the airline, hotel, and rental car loyalty programs.
Oct 17, 2013, 2:19 pm
#50
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Oct 18, 2013, 3:22 am
#51
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Oct 18, 2013, 4:52 am
#52
formerly known as Frugal Travel Guy
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Oct 18, 2013, 8:32 am
#53
Join Date: Sep 2008
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God Bless America.
If Rick had owned a shoe store and he built it up and then another company wanted to buy his store, why shouldn't he sell it and make money.
Isn't that the purpose? Maybe he started out as a little hobby, but why isn't he allowed to make money? I hope he made tons of money. That's the American way.
If Rick had owned a shoe store and he built it up and then another company wanted to buy his store, why shouldn't he sell it and make money.
Isn't that the purpose? Maybe he started out as a little hobby, but why isn't he allowed to make money? I hope he made tons of money. That's the American way.
Last edited by farbster; Oct 18, 2013 at 8:33 am Reason: clarification
Oct 18, 2013, 3:06 pm
#54
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God Bless America.
If Rick had owned a shoe store and he built it up and then another company wanted to buy his store, why shouldn't he sell it and make money.
Isn't that the purpose? Maybe he started out as a little hobby, but why isn't he allowed to make money? I hope he made tons of money. That's the American way.
If Rick had owned a shoe store and he built it up and then another company wanted to buy his store, why shouldn't he sell it and make money.
Isn't that the purpose? Maybe he started out as a little hobby, but why isn't he allowed to make money? I hope he made tons of money. That's the American way.
I don't get some of the folks on FT...
1. Randy Peterson sells FT to InternetBrands = OK
2. Rick sells FTG to InternetBrands = Not OK
Oct 18, 2013, 3:49 pm
#55
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Oct 18, 2013, 8:01 pm
#57
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Indeed.
And to all those upset by my post..... it was a bit of a joke. If I had cashed out like Randy, Rick, or any of the bloggers, I wouldn't really care who wanted to call me a sellout! Rick's a friend of mine.... right Rick?
I would also clarify that the part that many of us get irritated about is the 'I want to help people, so I started a blog' line. Just be up front: You started a blog because you want to make money. If you're honest, I'll respect you.
And to all those upset by my post..... it was a bit of a joke. If I had cashed out like Randy, Rick, or any of the bloggers, I wouldn't really care who wanted to call me a sellout! Rick's a friend of mine.... right Rick?
I would also clarify that the part that many of us get irritated about is the 'I want to help people, so I started a blog' line. Just be up front: You started a blog because you want to make money. If you're honest, I'll respect you.
Oct 18, 2013, 9:24 pm
#58
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I wasn't around then, but haven't really noticed any more than a small percentage of negative comments when it does come up here, or in other conversations elsewhere in the time I've been involved in this hobby (hence I said "some of the folks"
). My point was that I find it funny as I've come across some disparaging posts about the FTG sale, being posted on a site that was similarly sold to the same company by another individual.
I didn't mean to single your post out, it just happened to be what made me think of it.
Though I personally wouldn't want to be called "a sellout", and wouldn't think most people would, since that has a negative meaning of going against one's purported values and ethics in exchange for money.
I agree there's false publicity many times with blogs claiming to be altruistic. I guess it's no different than corporations implying they're in business to help people, save the environment, etc!
). My point was that I find it funny as I've come across some disparaging posts about the FTG sale, being posted on a site that was similarly sold to the same company by another individual. Indeed.
And to all those upset by my post..... it was a bit of a joke. If I had cashed out like Randy, Rick, or any of the bloggers, I wouldn't really care who wanted to call me a sellout! Rick's a friend of mine.... right Rick?
I would also clarify that the part that many of us get irritated about is the 'I want to help people, so I started a blog' line. Just be up front: You started a blog because you want to make money. If you're honest, I'll respect you.
And to all those upset by my post..... it was a bit of a joke. If I had cashed out like Randy, Rick, or any of the bloggers, I wouldn't really care who wanted to call me a sellout! Rick's a friend of mine.... right Rick?
I would also clarify that the part that many of us get irritated about is the 'I want to help people, so I started a blog' line. Just be up front: You started a blog because you want to make money. If you're honest, I'll respect you.
I didn't mean to single your post out, it just happened to be what made me think of it.
Though I personally wouldn't want to be called "a sellout", and wouldn't think most people would, since that has a negative meaning of going against one's purported values and ethics in exchange for money.
I agree there's false publicity many times with blogs claiming to be altruistic. I guess it's no different than corporations implying they're in business to help people, save the environment, etc!
Oct 19, 2013, 6:05 am
#59
formerly known as Frugal Travel Guy
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Indeed.
And to all those upset by my post..... it was a bit of a joke. If I had cashed out like Randy, Rick, or any of the bloggers, I wouldn't really care who wanted to call me a sellout! Rick's a friend of mine.... right Rick?
I would also clarify that the part that many of us get irritated about is the 'I want to help people, so I started a blog' line. Just be up front: You started a blog because you want to make money. If you're honest, I'll respect you.
And to all those upset by my post..... it was a bit of a joke. If I had cashed out like Randy, Rick, or any of the bloggers, I wouldn't really care who wanted to call me a sellout! Rick's a friend of mine.... right Rick?
I would also clarify that the part that many of us get irritated about is the 'I want to help people, so I started a blog' line. Just be up front: You started a blog because you want to make money. If you're honest, I'll respect you.
I started my blog when I figured out how to monetize it, and got to help lots of people along the way. It was a great combination.
Oct 19, 2013, 9:13 am
#60
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 3,682
How much did it cost to to attend at this year's Chicago seminar?
Also, how much to attend the seminars in the first two years you put them on?