Addiction
 

Not expecting this to be controversial at all. Wondering how you guys (and gals) deal with the addiction of this "hobby". I can't seem to take my mind away from all the mileage earning opportunities. Everything else seems to be taking a backseat. I was hoping 2010 would be a year focused on career progression (job search for a new/more exciting role) and even that seems to be taking a backseat :(

Not diminishing the importance of this "hobby", love it (my middle name should have been travel). Just wondering if I am alone in having to take a more proactive approach in balancing in my time :confused:

I too am feeling addicted and am going to try and limit the time I devote to this 'hobby' to a couple hours a day this year. But getting free miles is a rush!!!

My personal theory is that everyone in our boat has a pretty bad case of OCD, and the addiction could be to anything (e.g., baseball cards, stamps, lingerie, etc.). The fact that it is frequent flyer points is incidental.

I just accept it and move on.

Mike

Flyer Talk may be an odd choice for seeking help from this addiction :D

Well said my friend. But who else would understand it? I have a newborn at home and when I get done giving him a bottle in the middle of the night, I take a look at what's going on on FT :-) My hubby thinks I am looking for responses from recruiters in Asia (I do that too) but if he found out I was on FT, he would worry about me even more :p

I can deal with everything - career, my running hobby, and my travel hobby (FT and finding good deals to fund my airfare) :D But note that my career is in the travel industry - and FT actually helped me get the knowledge that I use in my job.

But note that I'm single, and some of my friends worry about me. :rolleyes:

Well, first of all, I feel the same. However, on a good day, I tell myself that getting a more rewarding job/assignments and move up the ladder could lead to more $$ to finance MRs in style & comfort ;)

Didnt they already make a film about this?

or drugs, or alcohol, or gambling, or sex....

At least a a frequent flyer mile addcition isn't going to kill you or land you in prison.

It make cause you to go broke, however. :D

Ethics, addiction - maybe we need a forum called Dr Phil.:rolleyes:

Something is an unhealthy addiction only if my wife doesn't like it.

My wife enjoys those J seats and hotel stays that I can get with my FF miles and hotel points. (In fact, this is the only way that I can afford to treat her in the style to which she would like to become accustomed.)

Bottom line: this is a healthy obsession. Good for my marriage. ^

My AA Reservations is now empty for the first time in over 6 months. I need my next fix!!!

I think the addiction for me as a grad. student is also in part a need to procrastinate things like homework. Also, the digital receiver for my TV broke last month, so Flyertalk is my entertainment ;)

It is called Dromomania!!!! Ulysses had it, Sinbad had it, we have it---so we are in very good company--historical and otherwise!! But idt does fit the definition of addiction:
Mileage seeking behaviour
Increased tolerance for MR
Will do all sorts of things to get the mileage
etc etc

The wife sometimes thinks I'm crazy. Lots of credit cards, coins, etc. I don't hear nearly as much complaining now that she's discovered she enjoys first class and free hotel nights.:D