Isn't that something like flying on a private jet?

In response to those who asked what's going on?

Here's a copy of the e-mail received:

You are invited to participate in a special online focus group regarding special frequent flyer awards TONIGHT, September 26 at 9 p.m. EST (8 p.m. Central Time, 7 Mountain Time and 6 p.m. Pacific Coast Time). The live focus group will be hosted by me, Randy Petersen, and we will be
looking at your interest and responses to a new idea in awards from frequent
flyer programs. While I can't tell you the exact type of awards, they are airline in nature. We will be asking your opinions on alternative ways to use your miles for airline transportation to special destinations, the number of miles that are appropriate and how you in general view the idea of flying in a charter private jet for an award vs. a regularly scheduled
commercial flight.

I'm hoping you can join me tonight and contribute your thoughts and opinions. While it may be important to some of you, I will be giving away bonus frequent flyer miles from the ClickRewards program. The number of
miles and to whom hasn't been decided yet, but I'll be thinking of something
until the chat starts.

Now, if you are interested, it will be held in the "Live Chat" area of FlyerTalk. There has been a special room set up called "UseYourMiles" (it's
listed along with the normal chat room - TheBuzz) and to enter this private chat room, use this password - "privatejet".

Again, thanks for your time and I look forward to seeing some of you online
tonight.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
As a registered member of FlyerTalk, and as a frequent flyer interested in
awards and specials, we felt that this announcement would be of interest
to you. If you would not like to receive the occasional announcement about
FlyerTalk related events, just reply to this email with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in
the subject line. Thank you for your interest in our site and services.

I got the email at the address I used to sign up at FlyerTalk with, and I don't think it's in my profile, so I guess that's where it came from.

It was my first FT chat, I gather things aren't usually that crowded and haphazard?

BTW, just to comment, maybe I'm one of the few, but the prospect of free miles wasn't even a consideration for me - I love collecting them as much as anyone, but I'm just starting out and the mileage in my account is chicken feed compared to what I gather most of the FTers accumulate. I'm nowhere near Elite status and only about 2/3 of the way to the lowest level of RT ticket.

-"StageDoor"

I don't know if it was Randy, don't know how they determined who the "invitees" were, don't know if "he" will give miles and don't care. But I am still laughing!!! I wish there was some way we could be sure that Ual7 or something like that,would get his miles :-) I am a bit concerned how my email address was obtained. Selections obviously were not by the number of posts. I have recently posted on the AA forum, have the rest of you? I am trying to find some rhyme or reason to the selection process as I am pretty stingy handing out my address.

I had to work late, so couldn't make the chat, and it sounds like I didn't miss much. However, the e-mail address where I got my invitation was an old one that I no longer use for personal business. Hmmmm....

I also got the invitation via an old email address that is no longer in my profile.
Who ever RanFlyer was he or she stayed to chat in the "BUZZ" chat room for a while and mentioned a possible flyertalk get together in Colorado in May.

Jay

Did anyone, by chance, receive an email confirmation that indeed it was him from Randy himself or other webflyer folks, perhaps in response to an email query to him or them? Anything "official"?

i left after 'ranflyer' quickly struck me as an imposter or a bot (many typos, refusal to acknowledge his identity), and after waiting a half hour for him/it to show (enjoyed the speculations that he was late because he was flying on united). my take is that the email did come from the right place (as boomer points out) but something was seriously wrong. i just can't understand why by now randy or someone official doesn't simply post information to put an end to all the speculation. that's the strangest part of all.

I was tempted but then realised it was way past my zzzzzzz time. Dorian has a valid comment. Does anyone have a headcount (if that's the right expression) of non US members.

Well, my decision to sleep at 3AM German time seems to have saved me from some confusion. But I feel sorry for those who participated, from what I hear...

I am BLOWN away no one @ Webflyer has posted a comment regarding this.

This board is a VERY valuable resource for them. If I owned it I would be paying a h*lluva lot more attention to it.

Imagine if a competing board popped up...offering miles every now and then for compelling posts and 'scoops'. I would bet it would be very hard on FT. (IMO)

Randy and crew really need to screw a person down on FT....so they know what is being talked about! Don't get me wrong...I VERY much appreciate this board...and am VERY happy Randy provides it...BUT if I owned it I would now be protecting it.

Rumours such as ones posed in this thread are easily killed with less than three sentences. I would certainly want this one dead.

All IMO!

Dorian



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Dorian's Star Alliance RTW Price Chart: http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm
Blondebomber's Star Alliance Comparison Chart: http://members.home.net/deercroft/starall00.html

If in fact this was an imposter who broke in and set up a private room, then they probably broke a bunch of laws related to hacking. In that case I would think that Randy would contact the FBI who would tell him not to comment on the situation while they check things out. I'm not one bit surprised by the silence.

Well, OK, I think that it's time for a word from our guru of miles, Randy, to check in and tell us the straight scoop.

Was it real, or was it just Memorex (c)?

You know.....this is the exact type of thread the 'old timer clique' avoids! I love it....none of the people who have been around a 'long time' will ever take a stand.....unless ofcourse it this issue directly involves them! Whimps. Take a stand.

IMO

Dorian



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Dorian's Star Alliance RTW Price Chart: http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm
Blondebomber's Star Alliance Comparison Chart: http://members.home.net/deercroft/starall00.html

I'm sorry Dorian, but as an "old-timer" I don't see what it is I should take a stand about. Could you explain it to me? Or why I am obligated to take a stand? Is anyone paying me to post here?

Personally I don't see any advantage to feeding the rumor, nor do I see a situation that requires some sort of urgent action.

I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. I tend to think "Well, Randy's probably working on some sort of formal apology to those who participated."

I for one am confident that we will have an answer in due course, and I for one am certainly not going to be losing any sleep over this.

I actually thought it was all kind of funny. That screen was scrolling faster than I could read the darn thing. When RanFlyer showed up and could not establish his credentials, I just bailed. Early on.

My apology to Randy if RanFlyer was him. I'm sure he'll understand.