My work is done here.

Hey Harvey, yes I am not new. I joined ft in 2007 and I have only (or had only) posted 6 times. 2 to ask q's re Emirates 1 to post a deal I found (that you will see I apologised if it was not the correct way etc) and the rest on this topic.

This is because I did not want to make annoying posts and found the information on my own by going through the forums. Harvey this is my exact point. This community is missing out on what COULD be great deals because the less experienced of us may find it a little intimidating to post in case it is not done in the right way, or snooty remarks etc etc.

It is because I am inexperienced I am hesitant to post and sensitive to criticism, and perhaps a little worried that I may be a lot dimmer than I thought not making sense of it. When you know what you are doing you are confident.

Someone who wants to just take (and Harvey comments like that are exactly why the more shy and less expert members like me don't want to post, here to learn not to spurn) may join a forum, make a barrage of requests for others to sort out fares and routings for them and be on their merry way when they have got what they want from others research.

I have made no requests for someone to find me a fare or do any work for me.
Simply a request to learn after trying on my own and finding it hard to decipher.

I can't very well bake you a cake until you show me how to bake it.

there are some Gordon Ramsey's out there so if you are serving cake it better be good

I absolutely love being able to help people and go out of my way to do it.
I get a real buzz out of it and I know some people on here do too.

Thanks everyone for their replies. I am going to spend some time playing with the ita software and might ask one of the more generous members for an assignment

I am sorry you found my post unfriendly. I give a great deal of my time to the community... sorry you do not see my offer to you as "generous".

I tried to be as helpful as possible.... and notice that I had offerred early on to help you. I was just indicating why some people (not myself) might be reluctant to help people they perceive as not giving back to the community.

I wish you the best on your quest to learn.

I joined a long time ago too but was a lurker, truly love this board. I try to offer help, and even laughter - I am just not as good as most. Wharvey I have seen you in the Community and know you offer a lot. I am trying to learn... but I have so much to learn!

Thanks all! And thanks all for putting up with me - this is an exceptional place to be!

Ohhhh the stress.

Im having a hard time understanding the frequent flier miles, do we register with each airline? I read the sticky but think I need to go read again.

I agree with that sentiment. Someone who just wanted to take would have asked their question, gotten the answer or not, and disappeared, not lurked around to resurface with such a request. Anyway, FT is not a jail and people should feel free to participate as much or as little as their interest and time allow.

So welcome again. Just identify the forums that interest you and jump in.

That's a great idea. ITA home page is: matrix.itasoftware.com

---Redacted---

You do a lot for us and it is clear to me that you only intended to warn OP about how some may feel/react - so she is not discouraged should that happen. I sincerely hope this little misunderstanding will blow over.

Yes and no - so read carefully.

Each airline has its own frequent flyer program and, to participate, you have to register. The miles can bring you free tickets, elite status, special treatment, lounge access and other perks. Typically, you earn miles by flying, by using co-branded credit cards, or shopping through their portal.

The airline would typically be a member of some "alliance", and have other partners too. You can also earn your airline's miles on these partners - although you may get fewer miles than by flying your own airline.

Miles cannot be combined between airlines, even partner airlines, and you lose a lot if you try to transfer.

Therefore, unless you are going to earn millions of miles, you should concentrate your miles in one airline. Which one will depend on your home airport and common destinations. Then your priority will be to fly your airline whenever possible, its alliance or other partners otherwise.

Of course, there will be times when your destination, schedule or fares cause you to fly another airline altogether. For such situations, have an account with one airline in each major alliance, so you can earn some miles anyway.

For example, my home airport, destinations etc cause me to use American as my primary airline. So I try to fly AA when possible, its One World alliance members and other partners when that is not possible.

For those times when even that is not possible due to destination, schedule, availability, or fares, I also have an account with Northwest (part of Sky Team), United (part of Star Alliance), and Southwest (not part of any alliance).

The key idea is to concentrate your miles as much as possible.

Or at least show that you put some time (and not 3 mins) into finding something that works and list what you found! The more you try the more people will be willing to give a helping hand. The least you do and expect others to do all your work, well dont be surprised if no one comes to help.

It is time consuming but it can and will pay off in the end.

eg I have a trip out to SAN last weekend of June, wanted LAX but a car was over $200 got Thifty in SAN for $128,yesterday I found on Avis itself a 50% off promo. Cancelled my TY and booked Avis saving $37, found a Hotel for $59 on the way to LA where I need to be and got a $69 for a SPG in Vegas for Sun night. Sure it took some time searching the sites but I didnt have to make 1 post asking about car rentals or hotels. If i came up dry then I might have, Point is making a Post asking for Help is the last thing I want to do. Most everything I do I learnt by myself or by reading others posts here on FT. You never know when some info may come in handy.

Thanks everyone for their replies. I am going to spend some time playing with the ita software and might ask one of the more generous members for an assignment

Harvey that was not reference to yourself. That would be snarky!

It was a compliment to those who have taken time to express an interest in showing me the way, I don't expect everybody to have the time or inclination as I said starting the thread.

I come in peace

and most of us are all too happy to help those that help themselves or at least try to

heres an example (although not regarding a MR) of a Lousy Lazy Attitude http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/conti...r-airline.html

Thanks for the ITA links - I've been trying to learn some of the more complicated ITA language and this really helps

LOL, this is just too funny. I nominate it for post of the week. ^ Spot on!

You can also post that 'you entered ABC at XYZ web site and found 567 when you were looking for 123 as the results. What didn't I do correctly or were my expectations incorrect?' This way you show you are trying and not just looking for someone to do the leg work

I think the easiest thing to do is simply grin and bear it. spend the hours it takes to get accustomed to the language and references. I never wanted to be someone who was begging for help and really I have gotten some things on my own this past couple months because I simply copy and past posts into an email by subject I'm interested in. Then I re read all of it and it begins to make sense. I am part of several forums for different interests and nobody likes the FNG. But relax and as long as you aren't in a hurry take baby steps it will come to you. You can't expect to have 10,000 post knowledge in your first 10 posts.