airport code elitism
May 29, 2015 | 5:17 pm
#46
Join Date: Aug 2009
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I live in RDU (and yes, I mean the general area, not the airport). Lots of people down here refer to the whole area as Raleigh-Durham. It's an easy way to refer to the area without naming the specific town that someone from outside the area has likely never heard of.
I'm one of the many on FT who use airport codes to refer to entire geographies. Sorry, but I can't be bothered to get upset about little things and it saves a ton of typing, especially on the phone!
I'm one of the many on FT who use airport codes to refer to entire geographies. Sorry, but I can't be bothered to get upset about little things and it saves a ton of typing, especially on the phone!
May 29, 2015 | 5:23 pm
#47
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Does not seem to work on newer versions of ff.
Edit
Threas here http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...de-lookup.html
Last edited by Mwenenzi; May 30, 2015 at 5:37 pm Reason: added link
May 29, 2015 | 5:44 pm
#48
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: K+K
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I enjoy Flyertalk and as a very frequent traveller also enjoy some of the threads but one thing really pisses me off and that is the use of IATA airport codes instead of the actual destination. Of course this makes the contributor sound really cool and well travelled but I'm guessing many of them actually have to check their itineraries or boarding passes to be sure.
Come on guys no need to show off, think of the lesser travelled reader who reads this stuff some of which is pretty poor let's be honest, and tell them where you really went or will some of you go MIA now you've been called out?
Come on guys no need to show off, think of the lesser travelled reader who reads this stuff some of which is pretty poor let's be honest, and tell them where you really went or will some of you go MIA now you've been called out?
unlike city names, IATA codes are unique
is a Texan whos only ever been to Paris, Texas and Florence, Texas that cool or well-traveled?
May 29, 2015 | 5:52 pm
#49
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Unless I missed something in reading this thread too fast, I see 48 posts prior to mine, and NOT ONE mentioned the handy tool that is readily available right here on FlyerTalk under Quick Links (above) -- the last item on the pulldown menu is:
Airport Code Lookup
It's been there forever, by the way. Not new. Duh. @:-)
Airport Code Lookup
It's been there forever, by the way. Not new. Duh. @:-)
May 29, 2015 | 5:57 pm
#50
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I agree that it's good practice to make it easier for readers and identify the more obscure airport codes, but obscurity tends to be in the eye of the beholder. It's pretty easy to click on the airport code lookup words at the bottom of every FT page. In fact, the two symbol airline codes can be harder to check and again IMO the more obscure ones should be identified.
What I find annoying is when people assume that everyone has memorized an airline's schedule and flight numbers. Posts like "upgrade chances on DL 2883?" are annoying this way in that checking would require going to the airline's website and checking flight status (to find city pair and aircraft type), assuming that schedules and flight numbers will be the same today as when the person is traveling. I know very few flight numbers, and they're generally the ones with unusual numbers rather than the flights I take most often: DL1001 (KE operated codeshare JFK-ICN) and DL 101/110 (ATL-EZE and vv service, but don't ask me which number goes north and which one south).
What I find annoying is when people assume that everyone has memorized an airline's schedule and flight numbers. Posts like "upgrade chances on DL 2883?" are annoying this way in that checking would require going to the airline's website and checking flight status (to find city pair and aircraft type), assuming that schedules and flight numbers will be the same today as when the person is traveling. I know very few flight numbers, and they're generally the ones with unusual numbers rather than the flights I take most often: DL1001 (KE operated codeshare JFK-ICN) and DL 101/110 (ATL-EZE and vv service, but don't ask me which number goes north and which one south).
May 29, 2015 | 6:16 pm
#51
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
Programs: Delta (nee NW), Hilton Diamond. IHG (PT)
Posts: 4,823
I live in RDU (and yes, I mean the general area, not the airport). Lots of people down here refer to the whole area as Raleigh-Durham. It's an easy way to refer to the area without naming the specific town that someone from outside the area has likely never heard of.
I'm one of the many on FT who use airport codes to refer to entire geographies. Sorry, but I can't be bothered to get upset about little things and it saves a ton of typing, especially on the phone!
I'm one of the many on FT who use airport codes to refer to entire geographies. Sorry, but I can't be bothered to get upset about little things and it saves a ton of typing, especially on the phone!
containment area for relocated yankees.
Years ago I did a down and back the same to RTP from DTW and dressed for the weather we had up here -- namely six inches of snow and walked into the meeting with my winter gear on.
Everyone there grew up up this way and knew the type of day I was having.
True story..
Bob H
May 29, 2015 | 11:31 pm
#54
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May 30, 2015 | 12:08 am
#55
Join Date: May 2002
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Posts: 3,305
In the U.S., the IATA airport codes are the same with the addition of a K before the three letter code. But elsewhere in the world, oh boy! FRA=EDDF, MUC=EDDM, CDG=LFPG, LHR=EGLL, etc. IATA divides the world into zones and the zone determines the first letter identifier.
May 30, 2015 | 1:26 am
#56
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 2,379
!
I'm with the OP (oops, Original Poster). Except that I distinguish between airports and ultimate destinations. I may fly to LGA, but I will be visiting New York. The type of question along the lines of "what to do in LAX for my three day stay" really does irritate - is the person really staying at the airport?
Though that strikes me as an odd example to use - LAX must be one of, if not the, most well known airport codes in the world!
May 30, 2015 | 2:47 am
#57
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OK, so "airport code lookup" actually appears in two places (at least). One near the top under "Quick Links" in a menu with My FlyerTalk, Calendars, FlyerTalk Wiki, New Posts, Search, Quick Links, and Log Out as the main labels. And also at the bottom, as you pointed out.
I'm guessing that a lot of users have not noticed either of these -- they'd rather whine endlessly about "airport code elitism" etc.
I'm guessing that a lot of users have not noticed either of these -- they'd rather whine endlessly about "airport code elitism" etc.
May 30, 2015 | 2:53 am
#59
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May 30, 2015 | 5:49 am
#60
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DMV
Posts: 2,103
I don't think it's snobbish but if you're using the airport code for say Duluth then you have to consider your audience. If your audience consists of mostly seasoned frequent flyers around the regional airports of the Upper Midwest then that might work but if not, you're probably not communicating very well.