The Points Guy: We never accept free flights [merged TPG discussions]
Dec 13, 2015, 1:22 pm
#317
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You can't trust a review of a comped flight with special service as objective. From here on out, any review of QR should be taken with a grain of salt (similar to his comments on SPG properties) because of the clear conflict of interest.
In most journalistic or review - based professions, there is a firm standard that you don't accept freebies from those you are reporting on.
In most journalistic or review - based professions, there is a firm standard that you don't accept freebies from those you are reporting on.
Dec 13, 2015, 3:17 pm
#318
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A movie ticket is a lot cheaper than a free flight, and a movie critic isn't selling a "You can have this life too." When movie critics have accepted trips etc, they have come under significant criticism. See, e.g., the HFPA award of a golden globe to Pia Zadora.
On the other hand, would you trust a Judge who's dinner tab was paid for by one of the parties appearing before it?
A big issue is that the movie critic is seeing the same movie as anyone else would, even if he(or his employer) didn't pay $10. When QR or SPG books a special trip for a blogger, it is not the same experience Joe Q. Public would have.
You're of course free to think that TPG and other bloggers provide honest reviews of the companies that fly them around the world for free. But at the least, disclosure is important so a reader can consider the source if they mistakenly went to his blog seeking honest advice.
On the other hand, would you trust a Judge who's dinner tab was paid for by one of the parties appearing before it?
A big issue is that the movie critic is seeing the same movie as anyone else would, even if he(or his employer) didn't pay $10. When QR or SPG books a special trip for a blogger, it is not the same experience Joe Q. Public would have.
You're of course free to think that TPG and other bloggers provide honest reviews of the companies that fly them around the world for free. But at the least, disclosure is important so a reader can consider the source if they mistakenly went to his blog seeking honest advice.
Dec 13, 2015, 7:00 pm
#319
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I don't have a (big) problem with bloggers taking a free flight.
But don't make a big deal about it lying and saying you don't take free flights when you clearly do.
Kinda like FNC claiming to be 'fair and balanced.'
It's a lie.
But don't make a big deal about it lying and saying you don't take free flights when you clearly do.
Kinda like FNC claiming to be 'fair and balanced.'
It's a lie.
Dec 13, 2015, 7:01 pm
#320
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Dec 13, 2015, 8:52 pm
#321
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Exactly. And the BS about "it's not a free flight cuz we're giving away some miles to a reader" is just plain silly.
Dec 14, 2015, 1:36 am
#322
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I wouldn't get too hung up on this.
A bigger issue is publications who are afraid to say anything bad about their advertisers. That is a far bigger conflict of interest especially as the relationship is hidden - you never see a disclosure saying 'we paid for this flight but the airline represents 20 per cent of our advertising income'.
A bigger issue is publications who are afraid to say anything bad about their advertisers. That is a far bigger conflict of interest especially as the relationship is hidden - you never see a disclosure saying 'we paid for this flight but the airline represents 20 per cent of our advertising income'.
Dec 14, 2015, 3:55 am
#323
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Genius move by TPG editor to pull off a Ben Schlappig and over hype his "video" of his "terrifying" aborted landing. Got a few mainstream news sites to pick it up.
I mean really? I almost fell asleep waiting for something actually interesting to show up.
I mean really? I almost fell asleep waiting for something actually interesting to show up.
Dec 14, 2015, 11:26 am
#324
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I agree.
It's one thing to request and accept a free flight.
It's entirely different in that TPG was invited to be on that flight. TPG likely had to pay for it's return flight, lodging and other expenses. I think TPG was fair in his assessment of the aborted takeoff and the flight experience.
It's one thing to request and accept a free flight.
It's entirely different in that TPG was invited to be on that flight. TPG likely had to pay for it's return flight, lodging and other expenses. I think TPG was fair in his assessment of the aborted takeoff and the flight experience.
Dec 14, 2015, 4:30 pm
#325
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More odd to me is the crew's unawareness of the situation, that they needed a second to figure what happened.
Dec 14, 2015, 8:23 pm
#326
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I agree on the crew's apparent behavior too.
My last aborted takeoff was due to a tire blowout on a CR2.
Dec 18, 2015, 10:03 am
#327
Join Date: Dec 2012
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Just the fact that they probably recognize the most prolific bloggers, raises the question of service levels and if what the blogger gets is what Barb Businesswoman would get.
Years ago there was a well known radio restaurant reviewer in LA (Elmer Dills for those of you old folks with a long memory). One thing he mentioned was that after he visited a restaurant, he always had at least one other couple visit to ensure that the service the well-known Mr. Dills received was what the 'ordinary' customers received.
Years ago there was a well known radio restaurant reviewer in LA (Elmer Dills for those of you old folks with a long memory). One thing he mentioned was that after he visited a restaurant, he always had at least one other couple visit to ensure that the service the well-known Mr. Dills received was what the 'ordinary' customers received.
Dec 18, 2015, 10:35 am
#328
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Some of the discussion upthread seems to imply the crew took an inordinate amount of time to provide any information in this TPG post. Perhaps I missed it, but I don't see that the TPG author states how long it took to provide any communication to the passengers. However I don't get the impression that it was an inordinate amount of time...maybe a few minutes, which seems reasonable.
Dec 18, 2015, 11:36 am
#329
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The 21 QR A350 T/O abort posts have been moved here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...pg-thread.html
Regards Oliver2002
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Regards Oliver2002
Mod EM&PR