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.

I know some of you will think of me as a "kill-joy", but Rudi started this thread with (bolding mine): I really like his suggested 1998 revisit topic, but it seems to be turning into "What's your favorite thread from anytime."

Perhaps someone would like to start a separate "What's your favorite thread" thread (perhaps in Community, as PG suggests), so this one can stay on-topic? Thank You.

PG, since back in those 1998 days, the only general non-program forum that existed was "The Buzz", it was the catch-all forum for all other stuff that now goes into the top section of FlyerTalk. Since this is a "nostalgia" thread where we are sort of going back to olden times, won't you grant us this one dispensation for posting here? Thanks.


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

Good point, PremEx. Didn't mean to wander off base.

PremEx - I'll gladly grant you or Rudi several dispensations for posting here.

Correct me if I am wrong IMHO, you seemed to agree with my basic premise in another thread
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/000556.html


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

I think I might qualify as an "oldie", and I hope this will stay up long enough for me to find the time to contribute (I set my thingy for five days, and I can't do much today except read). What I've seen on this thread makes me want to spend a bunch of time here.

PG, yes, I agree.

sorry, something is wrong here with the edit button.

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

.

On that note...

Since Randy changed the name of the newbies from "junior members" to "new members" and I called myself a "Life Time Junior Member"... I am back to just plain "wingless."

I guess I am now a "member" of this very eclectic group.

For those who have absolutely no idea what I am talking about...it's a looooong story, not worth repeating.

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

I'm baaack http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif

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

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I love going back through history, and I have to salute BIG BRUDDAR PremEx! That was great of you re-reading about our titles and post counts. This seems to be the MOST re-visited subject on Flyertalk!

But actually this goes back even further to very beginning with MY 20th post ever in the Buzz on May 22, 1998. And it's fun to read about how much we ENJOYED the novelty of
FlyerTalk back then!

Check out: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000020.html

My favorite moments were when Baobab and I (in my former lives as Merry Flyer and Merry Flyer II) used to have a 'fight'.

Those were the days before political correctness overtook the board. Ahhh the memories of being able to insult the French without being called a racist; of reminding the Americans of their collonial routes without an insult about open-skies following; of being able to critisize Aer Lingus without being accused of being a terrorist...

happy days...

Sometimes I would sit at my computer just waiting for a reply so I could counter.


My most productive moments, were spent learning all about the details of Lufthansa Miles & More from Rudi. Learning all anout MileagePlus from Premex and learning all about Air Canada from Cliff.

I can't count the thousands of extra miles I have earnt as a result of this board.

Usefull days...


My unhappiest moments were the introduction of SPG, when our hosts acted as SPG's Marketing Department - for me more than any other moment, that is when the impartiality went.

Sad days...


The occassional fights and bickering never botherd me. The censorship issue only made me laugh at the sensitivity of my North American cousins.

The days of community spirit...


But the thing I think which stands out more than anything, is that the people come and go on this board, but at the end of the day, good people stay and bad people go - the fights along the way are just a distraction.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Nick

Rudi, I think that you are a a closet diplomat!

Just randomly bouncing about the "FlyerTalk Archives" and I would like to single out for a suggested read, the following threads from the early days:

SEPTEMBER 1998

pagupta011 now handled as PG makes a prophetic suggestion that at least United instituted just recently (over a year and a half later), in:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000131.html

Mileageaddict gives birth to what would become The Coupon Connection in:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000108.html

While Jaws43 and Catman together make the first suggestion of an OMNI forum in:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000181.html

And before the "Who We All Are" threads started, philforest kicked off a great discussion of just that, and how did we find the time to spend putzing about FlyerTalk?:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000136.html

A special Thank You or "back slapping" or whatever you want to call it, to those "early birds" who contibuted to and helped develop FlyerTalk into the great resource we all enjoy today. It was, and continues to be, with the help of new members and old-timers alike, The Greatest Frequent Traveler Community In The World!

IMHO. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

These are not real old ones, but they provided a good laugh for quite a few of us...

HEARD ON AN AIRPLANE http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum...ML/000575.html

And then, there is this list of jet nicknames. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000854.html


------------------
[This message has been edited by AZ_MISMAN (edited 08-31-2000).]

Thank you for a very heart-warming thread!!

I was fearing that upon my return from vacation I'd see more pointless drivel of the kind we have seen of late (not singling out anything or any one). What a nice suprise.

I'll add to the lists in concepts (find your own darn threads http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif ).

*When 40-50 of us realized flying to Hawaii for one weekend was not as dumb an idea as we first thought.

*When real-life events brought us together to honor one of our own (Rudi's 'Niners jacket, Matt's baby, etc).

*When we were able to all participate in mileage bonuses and promotions that were only sent to one of us (HHonors gold challenge, United survey, etc.)

*The humor (If Airlines sold Paint, Freeblusky, "interesting" FA announcements,
*The first Flyertalk individual get-together (Rudi and Matt) and group get-together (Boston).

There are a lot of riches to be found on this board if you look back. If you're new here, please take the time to look back and enjoy the sense of family and flying. All are welcome here. (But please don't interpret that as an appreciation of and request for posting 4 or 5 meaningless retorts on each old thread...We've had more than our share of frivoulous posts of late.)

Some of us here could learn from the golden rule. Actually, some of us could learn from simply listening to others with the same respect they want for themselves.

Again, for both the great elements and questionable ones as well, Thank you Randy and the Webflyer staff for giving us this forum.



[This message has been edited by NJDavid (edited 08-31-2000).]

Rudi, I think this is one of the best posts on Flyertalk in months... and I don't care about certain people who don't get our backslapping and our love fest for each other.

It made me remember two threads... one that still has me rolling in laughter..
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000515.html

and one that has me bawling like baby:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/000526.html

See, I never was the popular one in school ro at work (taht's still the case.) a Lot of people don't "GET ME!" I feel alone.

So seeing that birthday greeting from baobab, NJDavid, Nick Merry, etc and PremEx (my BIG BRUDDAR) and my TEXAS buddy... JAWS.

I realized I finally found a place that I belonged. And the following year... making many new friends like Punki and Joe and QUiet Lion and hunnybear and finding one of the greatest peopel in my life, Wanderlust... and oh so many more over the months and months that followed.

I'm a very lucky cat!


[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 08-31-2000).]

Matt Wald!! Haven't seen you around for a while.

(However, there's a guy named kokonutz that sure looks a lot like you who's kept us amused and informed.) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

It is nice to remember the early days in 1998 when the board was just starting, and "Pasha" Rudi, and the friendly feuds.

Hard to believe PiP was only 10 months ago. What a great time that was!

[This message has been edited by Counsellor (edited 09-02-2000).]

Just thought in times like these, this classic thread deserves a bump up...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif

You're absolutely right. It appears that old adage "The more things change, the more they stay the same" has much validity.

Ahh, the "good ol' days". http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Thanks for bringing this forward. I missed it the first time around. It was a treat...bitersweet, in light of recent events.

Why don't you 'old timers' just get your heads out of the past and realize that time moves forward... things change and evolve, whether for better or for worse or for just plain old different... if you keep pressing to keep things the way they always were, you are setting yourselves up for sore disappointment. Unless, that is, FlyerTalk becomes a board that is closed to only those who will have it the way they want it.

Thanks, TransWorldOne. I missed it, too, first time around...and some of the links in it, as well. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Harold, it's not living in the past. Most of us here are right in the middle of change every day, and know it is a fact of life.

I won't speak for other FT'ers, but for me at least, it's not that things have evolved on FlyerTalk, but rather that we have lost the sense of belonging to a family!

We took up collections for gifts,got free Swiss chocolates from Rudi, and generally had good, gentle fun. When you lose family, it just plain hurts, no matter the reason.

The first year FT was a much kinder, gentler place. It will be missed.

TW1: thanks a lot. It's like discovering lost family for us new folks.

Mr. Bahls: isn't there a fig leaf you could hide behind?