FlyerTalk Nostalgia: 'back to the future'
 

This is only posted in the correct place, under the Buzz, if I edit the Buzz explanation to 'Discussion of frequent flyer buzz from the past ...'

Let me invite you, 'oldies' and 'newbies', to repost here a 'post' or 'theme' or 'conga-theme' you yourself, in your very personal judgement think of being worth to be reposted, and may be even rediscussed.

I would like to promote this as a means for 'oldies' to remember 'the good and sometimes not so good old times of FlyerTalk in 1998' and the 'newbies' to let them have a look how 'things were discussed when FlyerTalk started'.

Hear is my favorit conga-theme: beat the system

"beat the system": Introduction
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000141.html

"Beat the system - How to get through to Reservations
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000183.html

"beat the system" tip#1: watch out for "direct flights"
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000139.html

"beat the system" tip#2: how to make the preassigned seating paradox work for you.
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000140.html

"beat the system" tip#3: things to check when checking luggage at the curb
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000145.html

"beat the system" tip#4: the best way to pay for your ticket
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000146.html

"beat the system" tip#5: three reasons to choose the on-line connection:
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000149.html

"beat the system" tip#6: loopholes in the US-domestic checked baggage rules
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000150.html

"beat the system" tip# 7: beating the automobile traffic at the airport
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000151.html

"beat the system" tip#8: advantages / disadvantages of small planes
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000152.html

"beat the system" tip#9: determine which line at Check-In is the slowest
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000154.html

"beat the system" preliminaries before tip#10: how to pick up sex objects on the plane discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000155.html

"beat the system" tip#10: how to pick up sex objects on the plane
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000156.html

"beat the system" tip#12: .... afterwards discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000157.html

"beat the system" tip#13: how to operate the call button at your seat
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000158.html

"beat the system" tip#14: why the aisle seat is probably best
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000163.html

"beat the system" tip#15: how to get out of the plane quickly
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000164.html

"beat the system"tip#16: understand the foreigner lines at Passport Control discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000172.html

"beat the system" tip#17: beat the long foreigner lines at passport control discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000173.html

"beat the system" tip#18: how to fill out Landing Cards discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000174.html

"beat the system" tip#19: how to deal with Passport Control Staff
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000175.html

"beat the system": tip 20: find a hotel-room in a fully booked ski-resort
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000176.html

"beat the system" tip 21: tricks of an Inveterate Casual Smuggler
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000179.html

"beat the system" tip 22: how to deal with Passport Control Staff in Basket-Case Countries
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000177.html

"beat the system" tip#23: why airlines fail to announce delays adequately
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000202.html

"beat the system" tip#24: if your flight is delayed ...
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000203.html

"beat the system" tip#25: All Hope Abandon, Ye Who Enter Here!
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000204.html

"beat the system" tip#26: which side to walk in the concourse
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000210.html

"beat the system" tip#27: increase your standby luck
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000218.html

"beat the system" tip#28: taking advantage of the psychologiy of the average customs officer discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000220.html

"beat the system" tip#29: how to store your luggage free or cheap
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000221.html

"beat the system" tip#30 the cheapest place to eat at the airport
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000222.html

"beat the system" tip#31: going downtown from the airport
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000223.html

"beat the system" tip#32: how to ride the plane on a transporter
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000224.html

"beat the system" tip#33: getting past the guardian angel
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000231.html

"beat the system" tip#34: sit beside an empty seat
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000228.html

"beat the system" tip#35: synopsis of passenger classes
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000232.html

"beat the system" tip#36: the profile of the best place to meet at the
airport discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000282.html

"beat the system" tip#37: the proper way to Set the time to meet
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000283.html

"beating the system" tip#38: ways to improve your chances of getting a taxi quickly discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000284.html

"beating the system" tip#40: case study: taking a taxi from JFK to Manhattan
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000331.html

"beat the system" tip#41 rise above your station and ride a limousine from JFK to Manhattan
discussion: http://www.talk.flyertalk.com/forum/...ML/000332.html

"beat the system": last tip: the best strategy for dealing with unmetered cabs
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000285.html

"beat the system": special addition for MileageAddict's kid
discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000268.html

Great idea for a thread Rudi!

Gee, I'm glad we came to our senses on this one regarding post counts and FlyerTalk "titles". http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

From October 1998:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000256.html

But personally I really like this one from November 1998:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000358.html

...that led to the first Mega-Gathering of FlyerTalkers ever...The Party In Paradise!

Ok let me jump on this bandwagon. This is the story of F U K U C H A N...

Long long ago when FT was a far different place, we had a bit of trouble in Paradise. It seems that one of our members was using a handle that another found offensive...

Our friend F U K U C H A N was an active member of our FT community (active meaning he took part in discussions as opposed to flooding the board). He was one of the first to bring the MCI 25k bonus info to the public (how many free tickets did we earn from that info?) and received many kudos...

One day our friend F U K U C H A N receives an email from a representative of our hosts telling him that his name is offensive and he has to provide proof (via fax as I recall) that his name really is F U K U C H A N or else change his handle.

Having been through this issue before when our friend was merely F U K U, he was none too pleased with the receipt of this "prove it or else" ultimatium. So F U K U C H A N sends back a rather nasty reply to the FT folks telling them to F U K U off.

Q - So why is onefreeman posting this long introduction? Why doesn't he just post links to the danged threads and let me read it for myself?

A - Because FlyerTalk censored the thread by deleting it. Then they censored (again by deletion) another thread discussing the first censorship action.

Much angst ensued. And we discussed our angst. And we never really received an answer from our FT hosts on the issue of censorship (no formal declaration as it were).

The link below will take you to the thread they allowed to remain of the community's take on the whole situation (altho they closed it thus terminating discussions which probably is a form of censorship also but I digress again)...

I ask each and every one of you to please notice the civility, the decorum, and the genuine concern of the individuals posting. Ask yourself three questions:

[1] Is that what FT is like today?

[2] Which would you prefer?

Thanks for taking the time to come this far.

And F U K U C H A N, no matter where you are, this one's for you...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/001057.html

Thanks, Rudi, and a very good idea. My entry is my posting "Apology Board" on Randy's board. I can't do much, if any, better.

Agreed. In my short tenure on this board, nathan detroit's Apology Board seem's to have brought out the best in us.

Perhaps it was a shame there was a need, but we seem to be a passionate lot. This is a good thing. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Thank you for that Onefreeman.

Well, it wasn't that long ago, but I miss reading all the daily hype about people planning their mileage runs to Latin America for the LatinPass bonus, it was pretty exciting with so many flyertalkers taking part. Things just haven't been quite the same around here now that it's over...(sigh)

It looks like chexfan has alot of reading to do! Thanks rudi!

(late night mess-up)

[This message has been edited by bks (edited 08-29-2000).]

I thoroughly enjoyed the thread where Pudding Guy introduced himself and the flurry of disbelief of his mileage earning efforts. Some did not belivbe his story until he showed up on the Today Show.

------------------
Addicted to airline miles? Check out: The Airline Mileage Workshop

Commander Catcop takes on a corporate sponsor! I nearly peed my pants when Koko wrote that!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum...ML/000225.html

For some more on the ***UCHAN saga, see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/001056.html

I loved Rudi's threads and I FINALLY found the book to go along with them in San Francisco. The bookstore owner says he had three copies and they went fast.

OMNI:I think the publisher should do an updated edition, and we can all help him out.

Ah the good times on Flyertalk. They don't have to go away if we try.


[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 08-30-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 08-30-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 08-30-2000).]

To me, the best ongoing ideas that came to fruition as a result of FT participation are:

MileageAddicts Mileage Workshop.
Let's say you are a relative newbie. You think you've more or less maxed out your earing opportunities, but you're too lazy or have too slow a connection to do a thorough search for bonus offers. Well, if you haven't been to http://www.mileageworkshop.com/
then you haven't seen nuthin' yet. A true masterstroke first announced at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000045.html

Premex's Unofficial United Elite Super Happy Fun Time.
Considering achieving elite status on UA? Better visit http://members.aol.com/millionmileflyer/uahelpdesk.html
First announced at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum50/HTML/001598.html

I put Blondebomber's *A comparison chart on the same level, but since I'm no big fan of *, I'll leave finding that chart up to the reader (or some subsequent poster...).

My favorite "social" memories go back to when Merry Flyer had more time for us and used it on battles of acerbic wit and folly (mostly the latter http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif). But always you ended up smiling http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

My most embarassing FT moment: Believing completely that pjaucutt was who he said he was and even allowing him to make some reservatios for me in Paris... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/redface.gif

Buzz = latest frequent flyer buzz.

This thread would be more appropriate in omni or the community boards. One good things about the old days used to be the absence of the flame wars, maybe the recent skirmishes are an impetus for this thread? I miss my college days too.