$23,000 trip in F on A380 SIN-JFK
#106
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
All I had seen on the blog showed this chap casually (some might argue, stylishly) dressed to be comfortable on a long flight. Whether in cash or miles, he had paid for his suite. In return, he should be well be entitled to dress in whatever he feels comfortable in to enjoy the end to end experience - if he is most comfortable in khaki shorts and bare feet, that's his right.
#107
Join Date: Mar 2012
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Thought I'd chime in on this since I know Derek personally (served NS together + alumni from his university).
He's a very nice guy and I don't think he thought the blog would get this much attention. Not that plagiarism is ever warranted, but he isn't a travel 'blogger' and doesn't make any money off of his site or Medium - its just for fun and sharing with friends.
If you look at his site & medium, he only has 8 and 4 posts (respectively) over 8 years, with 2 in the former being about random things like a home-made flamethrower or automating his dorm room. Besides this SQ one, all of his other travel-related posts are about travelling economically for very cheap (e.g. 1 month across Russia for $1,175).
Thus I don't think he is similar to - or trying to be - a luxury travel blogger like the ones most of us at FT keep up on. He blogs rarely, and about things that may interest his friends; plus he has no ads / credit card signups / etc for any form of revenue. It's just for fun.
Again, this isn't an excuse for plagiarism but I think we need to take perspective that he isn't another 'blogger' trying to gain fame and fortune by stealing others' work, nor did he anticipate it spreading so quickly beyond his group of friends and getting so viral.
He's a very nice guy and I don't think he thought the blog would get this much attention. Not that plagiarism is ever warranted, but he isn't a travel 'blogger' and doesn't make any money off of his site or Medium - its just for fun and sharing with friends.
If you look at his site & medium, he only has 8 and 4 posts (respectively) over 8 years, with 2 in the former being about random things like a home-made flamethrower or automating his dorm room. Besides this SQ one, all of his other travel-related posts are about travelling economically for very cheap (e.g. 1 month across Russia for $1,175).
Thus I don't think he is similar to - or trying to be - a luxury travel blogger like the ones most of us at FT keep up on. He blogs rarely, and about things that may interest his friends; plus he has no ads / credit card signups / etc for any form of revenue. It's just for fun.
Again, this isn't an excuse for plagiarism but I think we need to take perspective that he isn't another 'blogger' trying to gain fame and fortune by stealing others' work, nor did he anticipate it spreading so quickly beyond his group of friends and getting so viral.
If he did it for fun, but the plagiarism is already discovered and viral, he could apologise and take it down. But retaining it there and gaining publicity, I cannot be sure if there is really no benefits for him.
And the way he has written the article, it was certainly all out to seek attention. He is just stupid to think that plagiarism of witty-lines will get him far. He got the short-term attention, but he lost credibility.
At least we can agree his blatant plagiarism is plain poor. [a case of trying too hard and backfired.]
#108
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sacramento
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 1,341
And the way he has written the article, it was certainly all out to seek attention. He is just stupid to think that plagiarism of witty-lines will get him far. He got the short-term attention, but he lost credibility.
At least we can agree his blatant plagiarism is plain poor. [a case of trying too hard and backfired.]
At least we can agree his blatant plagiarism is plain poor. [a case of trying too hard and backfired.]
Also, it's strange that he says "it was completely unattainable for most people," then throws in a quick blurb about his FFM's, doesn't explain diddly about how they work and that it took a "colossal" amount (definitely relative), and now it seems that he is NOT most people. Frankly, the word colossal made me think it was significantly more than a saver FC international award on United, but it really isn't.
#109
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#111
#113
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: California
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Seems like the suites require less etiquette, due to greater privacy between one passenger and another compared to economy class.
#114
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I think the etiquette that counts in this context is how one behaves toward others in their presence. If you get worked up about what others are wearing in your cabin, you've gone far beyond anything that really affects you. At that point, you're spouting off about how others should be the way you'd like them to be.
#115
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sacramento
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I think the etiquette that counts in this context is how one behaves toward others in their presence. If you get worked up about what others are wearing in your cabin, you've gone far beyond anything that really affects you. At that point, you're spouting off about how others should be the way you'd like them to be.
#116
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Does anyone remember the days when people dressed up to fly - even in coach? And I think at one time BA would ban anyone from wearing t shirts or shorts whilst flying in the First cabin.
#117
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: QF Plat, VA Plat, BA Gold
Posts: 528
No etiquette in First and Suite Class?! Now this is unnecessarily elitist - and so wrong.
All I had seen on the blog showed this chap casually (some might argue, stylishly) dressed to be comfortable on a long flight. Whether in cash or miles, he had paid for his suite. In return, he should be well be entitled to dress in whatever he feels comfortable in to enjoy the end to end experience - if he is most comfortable in khaki shorts and bare feet, that's his right.
All I had seen on the blog showed this chap casually (some might argue, stylishly) dressed to be comfortable on a long flight. Whether in cash or miles, he had paid for his suite. In return, he should be well be entitled to dress in whatever he feels comfortable in to enjoy the end to end experience - if he is most comfortable in khaki shorts and bare feet, that's his right.
Last edited by im.daniel; Oct 4, 2014 at 8:31 pm
#118
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
I think the etiquette that counts in this context is how one behaves toward others in their presence. If you get worked up about what others are wearing in your cabin, you've gone far beyond anything that really affects you. At that point, you're spouting off about how others should be the way you'd like them to be.
As I had read, he was respectful to cabin crew particularly the chief steward who served him and intrigued in engaging in conversations about choice of coffee, tea and movies. And throughout mindfully excited at and appreciative of the experience.
And I doubt the other passengers would've been offended at his behavior as most of the actions that reflected his excitement were done behind close doors of his suite.
#119
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: BNE
Programs: KE/OZ/QF/VA
Posts: 68
Hmmm, as an inexperience forum user/write I try to read other people's blogs and try to learn different styles of writing and structuring a blog posts as one day I would like to write my own blog posts about my person experiences. When i first came across this post on my local news website, I found it very interesting and was impressed with the pictures. but after reading this thread about plagiarism, my view towards the blog has changed and find it pathetic how he just bluntly plagiarised other people's words.
In regards to etiquette travelling in First and Business, I don't think he behaved or what he was wearing was out of the line. It shouldn't bother other people as long as you don't disturb other passengers around you and as long as you are wearing clean, smart clothing.
In regards to etiquette travelling in First and Business, I don't think he behaved or what he was wearing was out of the line. It shouldn't bother other people as long as you don't disturb other passengers around you and as long as you are wearing clean, smart clothing.
Last edited by kp88; Oct 4, 2014 at 2:42 am Reason: additional content
#120
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sacramento
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Posts: 1,341
http://www.sacbee.com/2014/09/07/667...es-flying.html