Catman: Meow! What you say about multiple memberships makes great sense. If you've found something you like, stay with it, but always make sure you have a back-up. I've been a Delta user for 30 or more years but have become disillusioned and have tried other lines in recent months. None have measured up. I was the absolute first United ff in the DC area to have to PAY for membership in the Red Carpet Club. The point: You're going to have an airline that you like, in spite of the occasional drawback (Delta happens to be mine), but you also need to be able to take advantage of other programs when #1 can't or won't come through.

I'm showing up here four times in a row because my memory span doesn't let me consider more than one message at a time. Also, since I only have time to get on here once or twice a week, and then only for a few minutes, I have a lot of unread comments to chew on. (Like your cats, Catman.) Result: I read a message that causes a reaction, I react. Sorry if that bothers anyone.

PhilForest... I too am a reactionary when it
comes to messages. If it's exceptionally
interesting or I have a quick answer or it
has me rolling off the chair in laughter (the
ad hoc committee postings!) I will respond
quickly. (And I type very fast so I can post
dozens of messages.)

It doesn't bother me... I'm glad and we're
all glad when you can come on board and post
and give up greaet information (I'm still
laughing over your Southwest beverage flight
and want to know where I can get a ticket!)
CATMAN

Merry Flyer: UA first is worth the try in international first on the new 777. (Comfortwise the undisputed best is Singapore). And Air France in first has a real bar to offer (so for our "alcoholic-addicted ff" this could be a major factor in choosing your first-class-carrier).

some time ago (15 years?) the absolute luxury in first on Swissair was the ability to ask (one week ahead of your journey) for a special cabin-steward to be on your flight. (I used it twice, and made my adjutant from the swiss-military have to join me to my US-flights and at the destination we had a great time out). (Some of you may not know that doing military service, as a reserve officer, in Switzerland is, till you reach 55, mandatory every year for 3 weeks).

That's how 'the world's oldest democracy' got to be & stay that way...

Rudi,

Thanks. OK I have a really big confession.

I love the Stand-Up bar on the plane (ie. Virgin/Air France) but I just cannot stand Air France.

I love the cheese; I love the food, but I just find the staff so arrogant.

I think this is an Anglo-French thing - I don't think they have forgiven us for Waterloo and all that, but all the same, something just doesn't work for me and Air France.

I suppose they will be OK when British Airways buys them!!
MF

yes - it must be Waterloo

(by the way - my Pub chain in Switzerland run's under the name of Admiral Nelson's Pub - there are 18 of them: http:www.nelson.ch)