The Burden of Learning the FlyerTalk Ropes - One Reflection
Mar 22, 2011 | 6:52 pm
#31
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 27,014
I am getting kind of tired of going through so many machinations in order to score an upgrade or take multiple flights, which include RJ's to my destination. If DL can't get me where I want to go without a lot of hassle, I'll now (gasp) fly another carrier. This year I have flown WN to OAK, and US to PHX. There was a time I would have considered making these 1 hour flights, 4 hour flights by connecting through SLC. No longer.
Great thread ^
Great thread ^
Mar 23, 2011 | 10:21 am
#32
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MEL
Programs: DL, QF, QR Silver, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,315
I am getting kind of tired of going through so many machinations in order to score an upgrade or take multiple flights, which include RJ's to my destination. If DL can't get me where I want to go without a lot of hassle, I'll now (gasp) fly another carrier. This year I have flown WN to OAK, and US to PHX. There was a time I would have considered making these 1 hour flights, 4 hour flights by connecting through SLC. No longer.
Great thread ^
Great thread ^
Mar 23, 2011 | 1:23 pm
#33
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,096
I used to fly 150K miles a year and 100+ nights a year in hotels. Lots of upgrades, miles, perks, etc.
Then I stopped travel for business. I flew for pleasure 2-3 times a year. I lost my status. I was the lowest form of life known to FT.......a kettle. I know fly once a month on average. But since since I now live in a small, non-hub market and fly whatever is cheapest, I have no meaningful amount of miles or status on any airline.
After a while I stopped caring. So I sat in a middle seat and had to wait an extra 10 mins in the TSA line. Meh. Life goes on.
And now I walk onto the plane and see the 1st class people sneering at us lowly coach dwellers. I see myself 5-10 years ago. Half of me envies them for being in 1st. The other half is relieved I don't have to spend so much time in a plane to get the upgrades.
My stress levels when I fly now are almost non-existent. I know I won't get upgraded so I don't obsessively check online if I got it. I don't spend time pleading with GAs for an upgrade. I don't stare the the upgrade screen at the gate and hope and pray that since I'm #3 on the list, 3 people don't show up. Or wonder to myself why I am #3 since I should be #1 since I'm so darned special. I don't feel like I was snubbed if I don't get the upgrade and spend the whole flight pissed off that I have to be in coach.
Then I stopped travel for business. I flew for pleasure 2-3 times a year. I lost my status. I was the lowest form of life known to FT.......a kettle. I know fly once a month on average. But since since I now live in a small, non-hub market and fly whatever is cheapest, I have no meaningful amount of miles or status on any airline.
After a while I stopped caring. So I sat in a middle seat and had to wait an extra 10 mins in the TSA line. Meh. Life goes on.
And now I walk onto the plane and see the 1st class people sneering at us lowly coach dwellers. I see myself 5-10 years ago. Half of me envies them for being in 1st. The other half is relieved I don't have to spend so much time in a plane to get the upgrades.
My stress levels when I fly now are almost non-existent. I know I won't get upgraded so I don't obsessively check online if I got it. I don't spend time pleading with GAs for an upgrade. I don't stare the the upgrade screen at the gate and hope and pray that since I'm #3 on the list, 3 people don't show up. Or wonder to myself why I am #3 since I should be #1 since I'm so darned special. I don't feel like I was snubbed if I don't get the upgrade and spend the whole flight pissed off that I have to be in coach.
A non FF'er who knows to remove things prior to security, knows how to get around the airport, knows how to line up and board a plane, and knows how to get back from the lav without grabbing the seatback of everyone between their seat and the lav is not a kettle.
You flew alot, you are never going to be a kettle again, even if you don't fly now.
Mar 23, 2011 | 1:52 pm
#34
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Boston MA
Programs: Delta Platinum, Delta Million Miler,Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, Delta Sky Club
Posts: 665
I used to fly 150K miles a year and 100+ nights a year in hotels. Lots of upgrades, miles, perks, etc.
Then I stopped travel for business. I flew for pleasure 2-3 times a year. I lost my status. I was the lowest form of life known to FT.......a kettle. I know fly once a month on average. But since since I now live in a small, non-hub market and fly whatever is cheapest, I have no meaningful amount of miles or status on any airline.
After a while I stopped caring. So I sat in a middle seat and had to wait an extra 10 mins in the TSA line. Meh. Life goes on.
And now I walk onto the plane and see the 1st class people sneering at us lowly coach dwellers. I see myself 5-10 years ago. Half of me envies them for being in 1st. The other half is relieved I don't have to spend so much time in a plane to get the upgrades.
My stress levels when I fly now are almost non-existent. I know I won't get upgraded so I don't obsessively check online if I got it. I don't spend time pleading with GAs for an upgrade. I don't stare the the upgrade screen at the gate and hope and pray that since I'm #3 on the list, 3 people don't show up. Or wonder to myself why I am #3 since I should be #1 since I'm so darned special. I don't feel like I was snubbed if I don't get the upgrade and spend the whole flight pissed off that I have to be in coach.
Then I stopped travel for business. I flew for pleasure 2-3 times a year. I lost my status. I was the lowest form of life known to FT.......a kettle. I know fly once a month on average. But since since I now live in a small, non-hub market and fly whatever is cheapest, I have no meaningful amount of miles or status on any airline.
After a while I stopped caring. So I sat in a middle seat and had to wait an extra 10 mins in the TSA line. Meh. Life goes on.
And now I walk onto the plane and see the 1st class people sneering at us lowly coach dwellers. I see myself 5-10 years ago. Half of me envies them for being in 1st. The other half is relieved I don't have to spend so much time in a plane to get the upgrades.
My stress levels when I fly now are almost non-existent. I know I won't get upgraded so I don't obsessively check online if I got it. I don't spend time pleading with GAs for an upgrade. I don't stare the the upgrade screen at the gate and hope and pray that since I'm #3 on the list, 3 people don't show up. Or wonder to myself why I am #3 since I should be #1 since I'm so darned special. I don't feel like I was snubbed if I don't get the upgrade and spend the whole flight pissed off that I have to be in coach.
Mar 25, 2011 | 2:12 pm
#35
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 27,014
Just booked a non-stop Jet Blue from LAX/BOS/LAX. I liked the times offered, the fact that I don't have to connect and best of all, not sweating getting the upgrade. On Jet Blue I purchased the extra legroom seats for an extra $60.00. I'll board first, have first access to overhead bin and lots of legroom. Actually a relief not worrying about my miles and upgrades.