I don't think the term "barter" was what got her in hot water here- look on the "coupon connection" pages- people trade all the time. People even give lots away to other members of the community.
It was the fact that she showed up and asked a bunch of strangers for something for nothing.
Am I the only one who has had someone come up to them and ask them for $20 because "their car ran out of gas". People are constantly trying to take advantage of others' generosity. You have to watch your back in this world. That's the way it is.
She can have a bad impression if she wants, but I think Flyertalk is a greta place full of lots of great people. There have been a number of suggestions as to how she can get to HNL.

Please don't remove posts like that Dan.

All you have suceeded in doing is confusing people who couldn't read the thread earlier today. If you do feel the need to make an edit, make an edit. Then, the post is still there and in sequence even if it no longer contains the text you wish to remove.

I live in Hawaii. There are only 3-5 major hospitals that have reputations for good oncology (cancer). There is one good hospice. If this is a serious problem, one can contact the 2 local newspapers, or TV stations that regularly take care of these situations if the family is in need. There is also a Ronald McDonalds House. Otherwise, TWA now flies into Honolulu, Maui & Kona and does have seats more than United & American which are pretty full this summer. This summer airfare between Honolulu & West Coast is running on the average about $600. TWA wholesale tickets are available for about $600-$700. Or, even a local radio station can help give you if it is legitimate. The newspapers are very good about it. Hawaii people will respond if the newspapers check out the situation and there is financial need. People are generous in Hawaii as much as possible, even though there is economic hardship right now in the islands. Please contact the hospital your mother is in and ask for this kind of help to get you in touch with a local newspaper, etc.

Forgot to say that TWA flies from Pennsylvania. I have gotten friends in emergencies the TWA senior citizen fare if you qualify. TWA is much more generous about critical care low fares than American or United. It doesn't cost very much at all. Please contact TWA. They are not usually full, sometimes flying half empty to the islands. TWA will normally waive advance notice, etc. They even helped out my friend who needed to come on Christmas Eve for only $550 roundtrip from Ohio for critical illness.

I did not notice anything in hersheymom's few posts here to signal emergency. What I read was that she has a requirement to travel to Hawaii fairly regularly to see her mom who is gradually worsening and that the cost of it is getting expensive. She only asked if anyone wanted to give her a free trip.

She probably expected quite a few "no" answers but thought she might encounter one "yes". She probably is well aware of the many charitable organizations that could help if she was really in dire financial straits and had to make an emergency trip. But I did not read that to be the case.

I must admit that removed post really threw me....I really didn't understand the following posts as I didn't see the removed one.

That is the first time I have seen a post removed...I think it goes against the grain of the site...edit is what we all do...to leave a placeholder for others to understand what is going on.

Dorian

Right Dorian - there is no way it could be called a progressive step.

FWIW, I believe it is at least the second time it's happened and perhaps exceot for extraordinary circumstances, I don't much care for the practice either!

Infact I would say even EXTREMELY offensive posts should not be removed...just edited to say the message was removed because it was offensive.

The basic problem is it leaves a hole in a thread....making it read inconsistently and confusing people.

Dorian

noted; thanks for the feedback!

I removed it instead of deleting the content simply for speed; it's fasater for me to do that than call her post up and remove the text, then resave it. I understand the need to keep the post names in there now, though...

snogal wanted me to remove her post, and I figured that since I was going to remove the content that simply deleting it would do the same thing, but it seems to have added to the problem.

You're all absolutely correct, though; since a thread's flow is based upon all the parts being viewable, removing a post rather than just the content can cause confusion.

sorry 'bout that...

where is hersheymom all this time?

Ok you want free, you've got free.

Free in terms of $$ but it will require some work and organization on your part but it is all for a good cause and you will get free travel and accomodations to Honolulu, HI.
http://www.arthritis.org/JointsInMot...tnessForce.ASP

Yes, probably many FT'ers are jaded by their experiences on the boards, especially in Coupon Connection.

I have had what I'd consider a "regular FlyerTalker" apparently not follow through on something they offered to me. I was willing to give that person the benefit of the doubt, but as time goes by, I'm increasingly skeptical.

I'm sure my experience is not a rarity. Thus, when a newbie asks for something, apparently for nothing, it's understandable that many are skeptical.

I wish it weren't so, but it is. I'm tempted to offer assistance to Hersheymom regardless, but at this point, I think I'll just wait for clarity.

Just a point in fact. I can't speak for any other airline but I know that at AA if the circumstances can be proved and you speak to the supervisors or someone who has the authority they can waive advance purchase among other things. But they will ask for and verify names of doctors, hospitals, funeral homes, etc. Believe it or not AA is a
very generous corporation and just because it doesn't all get publicized doesn't mean it isn't done..things like free transportation for rescue workers going to natural disasters, free planes for the airline ambassadors program (which is an org of aa employees that help other people in other countries on their vacations and off time. I think you get the idea. But we are a business and I sure don't see funeral homes, hospitals, grocery stores etc., giving discounts just because someone asks..
In all fairness, I had a personal emergency with a family member that was ongoing and I had beaucoup help from churches and private citizens for a long time until my family member died..there are a lot of good corporations and churches, organizations, hospitals and such out there if there is genuine need.