Do TB member get any undisclosed perks from IB or travel companies?
 

I heard that IB sponsored a mod-Do in Boston recently and gave mods a stipend to pay for travel.

More interestingly, I heard that some major hotel chains are comping FT mods top tier status.

I am not asking about the mods activities since this is not the place for that, but in light of what I heard, I would like to know if TB members get travel stipends from IB and/or if they get status from travel product providers for their service.

This might make a run for the TB far more attractive!!!

Thanks.

My TB salary remains unchanged since I began serving on TalkBoard and is the same as yours when you retired.

That's too bad. A token of appreciation might make the thankless task of TB memberhip less thankless!

Although I suppose it might raise some questions about impartiality.

I think as long as the spiff was disclosed it would be acceptable. Trying to keeping it secret would be more likely to raise concerns. @:-)

The impartiality issue would be huge for me. Even more so for a mod, if he/she was granted status just for their FT position.

I believe full disclosure would be prudent, for both TB and the mods.

The answer has been given for TalkBoard.

As for the moderators, that's irrelevant and off-topic in this forum.

Not necessary off-topic, IMO. You have some TB members who are also moderators.

If a TB member who is also a moderator takes in some sort of "benefit" (whether monetary, status, or something else) as a result of his/her moderator position, does that not give even a slight impression of impropriety in terms of being impartial in his/her TB duties?

It is irrelevant as to whether a TalkBoard member serves in any other capacity. There is no prohibition against such service.

Questions about moderators or moderation should be directed to the Community Director. The TalkBoard has no purview over moderators or moderation. @:-)

A salary is different than a stipend toward travel expenses. Therefore, it's a non-answer ;)

I received the same or fewer perqs for serving on TalkBoard that the OP did when he was on TalkBoard. :p

while there are not a lot of TB votes, i think the question was about things impacting those votes.

If UA or AA would grant me top-tier status for being on TalkBoard, would I be less likely to vote to close their forum? This is of course a purely hypothetical question, although I suppose I can dream. The answer is No: 0-0=0.

TB members, moderator, and FT members alike are not for sale. We are opinionated SOBs. While we normally state our opinions politely, those opinions are honest and based on what the company offers to the public.

Anyone who has followed the Southwest forum over the past two years will tell you that regulars have become disenchanted with that company. We would remain so even if Southwest tried to buy us off without offering the same deal to all customers.

I have attended one in-person TB meeting, and I don't recall receiving anything other than hearty thanks from IB. I was happy to have had the opportunity, and I know it benefited the membership. I presented an outline of the forum creation guidelines at that meeting, and now we have a process that is making it simpler than ever to create a new forum when needed.

Should IB pay expenses for meetings of TB? Maybe, but that's their call. Should they then make that information public? I would, but again, it's their call. Should IB pay for people's time to attend? Not in my opinion, as if that would ever happen. FTers love to talk and we'll do it for free. In short, this thread is much ado about nothing.

The question as to TalkBoard members being compensated has been answered.

Any questions regarding TalkBoard members wearing other hats on FlyerTalk is beyond the purview of the TalkBoard and should be directed to the Community Director, regardless of the motive for asking the question(s).

I agree completely. :p

Speaking only for myself I would be disappointed if there were perks given to TB members that weren't publicly disclosed.

But a stipend isn't a perquisite :)

You do realize that by not answering the question being asked, you're answering it, right? :D

In other words, it is SSI, right?

Gee, Ma, that is just like the TSA. :D