Petition for full trip reports before starting threads
Jun 6, 2013, 12:23 pm
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Ester, Alaska
Programs: Alaska Million Miler, United Million Miler, Wyndham Rewards Diamond, Choice Hotels Diamond
Posts: 12,148
Lord knows I've alienated plenty enough people here with my views on trip reporting last year about this time, but at the risk of doing so again I'd just like to say that while I understand the argument that more rules might not necessarily help the problem of unfinished trip reports, I would like to see:
A ban on "Pre-Trip" posts hyping a trip that won't be taken for weeks (or months!). I'm here to read about trips taken. I certainly don't mind incremental reports that start with just the first part of the trip and continue at a reasonable pace but to slog through all these pre-trip posts wishing the reporter "Good Luck" and "Can't wait to hear about your travels!" is just a waste of all of our time.
So - I would hope that Draconian though it may sound, the moderator would be empowered to remove any and all pre-trip hype type threads.
Y'all are now free to initiate having me banned from Trip Reports.
A ban on "Pre-Trip" posts hyping a trip that won't be taken for weeks (or months!). I'm here to read about trips taken. I certainly don't mind incremental reports that start with just the first part of the trip and continue at a reasonable pace but to slog through all these pre-trip posts wishing the reporter "Good Luck" and "Can't wait to hear about your travels!" is just a waste of all of our time.
So - I would hope that Draconian though it may sound, the moderator would be empowered to remove any and all pre-trip hype type threads.
Y'all are now free to initiate having me banned from Trip Reports.
Jun 6, 2013, 12:32 pm
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,245
Although I guess perhaps it's whether you're posting to form a useful database for others or as a willy-waving exercise in vanity...
Jun 6, 2013, 1:12 pm
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,279
I tried that approach before, but someone commented they don't like so many separate threads (mine had 5 threads !) and even reported to the moderator for all 5 threads to be merged, until I explained there were too many photos (it was not excessive as it was a very detailed oriented report) that would take too long to load it all up.
Jun 6, 2013, 1:48 pm
#94
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Washington D.C. via Sao Paulo via Houston via Washington D.C. via Boston via New York
Posts: 1,172
Don't personally mind either way, my last TR - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...tg-f-qr-c.html took 10 days to complete. I had most of it done but wanted to break it up over segments so it would give more people a chance to read it before it went to depths of FT...some of the TRs that start out months in advance are marginally annoying because you go in expecting SOMETHING other than I'll be doing this 9 months from now 'look' out. A personal rule of mine is just to do it when you get back, type it up first, get all your photos loaded and linked in the TR and then you are ready to post.
Jun 6, 2013, 2:11 pm
#95
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 106
I move to close this thread - it seems everything that can be said, has been said...many times. Anyone second this motion?
Jun 6, 2013, 3:05 pm
#96
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: BA Gold, Hyatt Glob, MR Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Amb
Posts: 443
What if I completed the trip a few months ago, but only now have gotten around to writing the report due to various circumstances? Should I be allowed to post it in pieces? I have the intro written, but now wonder if I should delay posting until I have the first couple of legs written up as well.. on the other hand, it's difficult to withhold posting because I'm excited to talk about it.
Jun 6, 2013, 4:36 pm
#97
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Platinum, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 290
I like either full trip reports or ones that I can see all in the first page. It can be tedious scrolling through the pages to see the next part.
Jun 7, 2013, 1:13 am
#98
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: FLR
Programs: M&M
Posts: 106
I would like to see:
A ban on "Pre-Trip" posts hyping a trip that won't be taken for weeks (or months!). I'm here to read about trips taken. I certainly don't mind incremental reports that start with just the first part of the trip and continue at a reasonable pace but to slog through all these pre-trip posts wishing the reporter "Good Luck" and "Can't wait to hear about your travels!" is just a waste of all of our time.
A ban on "Pre-Trip" posts hyping a trip that won't be taken for weeks (or months!). I'm here to read about trips taken. I certainly don't mind incremental reports that start with just the first part of the trip and continue at a reasonable pace but to slog through all these pre-trip posts wishing the reporter "Good Luck" and "Can't wait to hear about your travels!" is just a waste of all of our time.
Jun 7, 2013, 7:22 am
#99
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
Well, if the itin is that complex, then perhaps they should create one post one per section of trip (so maybe that's LAX-NRT-PVG and the hotel, then another for PVG-BKK-USM and hotel etc)? Would presumably make searching a bit easier, too.
Although I guess perhaps it's whether you're posting to form a useful database for others or as a willy-waving exercise in vanity...
Although I guess perhaps it's whether you're posting to form a useful database for others or as a willy-waving exercise in vanity...
Jun 8, 2013, 2:50 pm
#100
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Bargara Australia
Programs: VA, SQ, IHG, HH,ALL, Europcar
Posts: 1,530
OMG
I cannot believe that people feel so strongly about the content that they create a post to create rules.
So some threads are more interesting than others.
Why would this be?
It could be that someones writing style works really well for the reader, yet other readers could pass it by as not interesting
Or it could be that you are interested in a particular airline or destination.
Some people like photo reports - and some like words - I tend to prefer words - as I often read TR on my ipad and the pics are not always easy to load or view.
Other times I read TR at work and the pics imbedded are fine.
As a writer who is about to start a TR - on some airlines that people never report on , Scoot, Air Asia and Air Asia X - with not many pics - as I was travelling with my partner who discourages me to take pics when he is around.
So If the consenus is to set a whole bunch of rules and make contributors jump thru 20 hoops to write a post that others can read -
I can see this part of Flyer Talker just going up in a poof of hot air.
It will become a clique of people who blow wind up each others kilts - rather than an online community that many people are prepared to take part in, enriching everyones lives.
So lets all take a deep breath, and if you click on a post that does not meet your criteria - focus on third world issues rather than first world issues
Mods - you could run the risk of moderating an extinct forum .....
I cannot believe that people feel so strongly about the content that they create a post to create rules.
So some threads are more interesting than others.
Why would this be?
It could be that someones writing style works really well for the reader, yet other readers could pass it by as not interesting
Or it could be that you are interested in a particular airline or destination.
Some people like photo reports - and some like words - I tend to prefer words - as I often read TR on my ipad and the pics are not always easy to load or view.
Other times I read TR at work and the pics imbedded are fine.
As a writer who is about to start a TR - on some airlines that people never report on , Scoot, Air Asia and Air Asia X - with not many pics - as I was travelling with my partner who discourages me to take pics when he is around.
So If the consenus is to set a whole bunch of rules and make contributors jump thru 20 hoops to write a post that others can read -
I can see this part of Flyer Talker just going up in a poof of hot air.
It will become a clique of people who blow wind up each others kilts - rather than an online community that many people are prepared to take part in, enriching everyones lives.
So lets all take a deep breath, and if you click on a post that does not meet your criteria - focus on third world issues rather than first world issues
Mods - you could run the risk of moderating an extinct forum .....
Jun 9, 2013, 12:07 pm
#101
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: YYZ
Programs: SE100K, Bonvoy Ambassador, National Executive
Posts: 175
Being fairly new to this forum I loved reading Moomba, Eightblacks and SFO777's reports all in one go. That they were spread over numerous pages with comments was no issue I just scrolled past the comments. However trying to read newer posts with reserved slots is a PIA. I would love to finish reading BBB's most recent report but I have to scroll past everything written so far to get to the bottom and see the newest posts, so I gave up and went back and read his older reports.
So my $0.02 is ban reserving slots
So my $0.02 is ban reserving slots
Jun 10, 2013, 6:54 am
#102
Join Date: May 2010
Location: FSD
Programs: BAEC, Delta SkyPesos, VS FC, SQ KF, AA, HHonors
Posts: 1,884
Well, if the itin is that complex, then perhaps they should create one post one per section of trip (so maybe that's LAX-NRT-PVG and the hotel, then another for PVG-BKK-USM and hotel etc)? Would presumably make searching a bit easier, too.
Although I guess perhaps it's whether you're posting to form a useful database for others or as a willy-waving exercise in vanity...
Although I guess perhaps it's whether you're posting to form a useful database for others or as a willy-waving exercise in vanity...
I hear you, but if there are measures taken against the vanity posts, we won't have a forum left. How else will a FT'er validate himself to strangers if not via gratuitous quantities of photographed champagne?
Jul 10, 2013, 8:01 am
#103
Moderator, Trip Reports
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA GS-2MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 3,715
I will readily admit that I am all over the place when it comes to trip reports. I am merely a hack, and dont have the patience or skill of the resident experts such as Seat 2A, matthandy or SFO777.
There's a thing called life that gets in the way. Kids, spouses, dogs, cats, in-laws and parents. And then work.
When I write a TR, I do it on the fly. I dont set the alarm, wake up, have a wash and then sit down at the desk in my underwear and look longingly through the bedroom window at a squirrel enjoying the morning sunshine, playing with his nuts.
A post might take me 30-mins. Or a couple of hours. Just depends what happens. And if I think there's nothing worth writing about, I just dont write it. Take the Japan Do this year. I thought it was a good idea to start off a TR. Then it wasnt. Was more important to me to have a good time - and to be honest, while it was a great event, it was pretty uneventful.
I'd hate to see writers be stifled on this forum with a whole bunch of rules. I have enough aggravation in my life without adding any more...
As an aside, I had to go London a few weeks ago for work. Probably the funniest trip home on AA in J I have had (LHR to MIA) Sat beside a mad Columbian called Carlos. His son Carlos Jnr was down the back. It still makes me smile as I remember the experience. Or what I can remember of it.
But the rest of trip was as boring as blazes. I wont write TR's anymore unless I have finished them and to me, they need to be interesting. I'm also not a fan of reserving places (post holders) for future updates.
I have no idea how I got to this thread. I thought I was looking at soft porn and then all of a sudden, I ended up here...
There's a thing called life that gets in the way. Kids, spouses, dogs, cats, in-laws and parents. And then work.
When I write a TR, I do it on the fly. I dont set the alarm, wake up, have a wash and then sit down at the desk in my underwear and look longingly through the bedroom window at a squirrel enjoying the morning sunshine, playing with his nuts.
A post might take me 30-mins. Or a couple of hours. Just depends what happens. And if I think there's nothing worth writing about, I just dont write it. Take the Japan Do this year. I thought it was a good idea to start off a TR. Then it wasnt. Was more important to me to have a good time - and to be honest, while it was a great event, it was pretty uneventful.
I'd hate to see writers be stifled on this forum with a whole bunch of rules. I have enough aggravation in my life without adding any more...
As an aside, I had to go London a few weeks ago for work. Probably the funniest trip home on AA in J I have had (LHR to MIA) Sat beside a mad Columbian called Carlos. His son Carlos Jnr was down the back. It still makes me smile as I remember the experience. Or what I can remember of it.
But the rest of trip was as boring as blazes. I wont write TR's anymore unless I have finished them and to me, they need to be interesting. I'm also not a fan of reserving places (post holders) for future updates.
I have no idea how I got to this thread. I thought I was looking at soft porn and then all of a sudden, I ended up here...
Jul 10, 2013, 8:29 am
#104
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Washington D.C. via Sao Paulo via Houston via Washington D.C. via Boston via New York
Posts: 1,172
I will readily admit that I am all over the place when it comes to trip reports. I am merely a hack, and dont have the patience or skill of the resident experts such as Seat 2A, matthandy or SFO777.
There's a thing called life that gets in the way. Kids, spouses, dogs, cats, in-laws and parents. And then work.
When I write a TR, I do it on the fly. I dont set the alarm, wake up, have a wash and then sit down at the desk in my underwear and look longingly through the bedroom window at a squirrel enjoying the morning sunshine, playing with his nuts.
A post might take me 30-mins. Or a couple of hours. Just depends what happens. And if I think there's nothing worth writing about, I just dont write it. Take the Japan Do this year. I thought it was a good idea to start off a TR. Then it wasnt. Was more important to me to have a good time - and to be honest, while it was a great event, it was pretty uneventful.
I'd hate to see writers be stifled on this forum with a whole bunch of rules. I have enough aggravation in my life without adding any more...
As an aside, I had to go London a few weeks ago for work. Probably the funniest trip home on AA in J I have had (LHR to MIA) Sat beside a mad Columbian called Carlos. His son Carlos Jnr was down the back. It still makes me smile as I remember the experience. Or what I can remember of it.
But the rest of trip was as boring as blazes. I wont write TR's anymore unless I have finished them and to me, they need to be interesting. I'm also not a fan of reserving places (post holders) for future updates.
I have no idea how I got to this thread. I thought I was looking at soft porn and then all of a sudden, I ended up here...
There's a thing called life that gets in the way. Kids, spouses, dogs, cats, in-laws and parents. And then work.
When I write a TR, I do it on the fly. I dont set the alarm, wake up, have a wash and then sit down at the desk in my underwear and look longingly through the bedroom window at a squirrel enjoying the morning sunshine, playing with his nuts.
A post might take me 30-mins. Or a couple of hours. Just depends what happens. And if I think there's nothing worth writing about, I just dont write it. Take the Japan Do this year. I thought it was a good idea to start off a TR. Then it wasnt. Was more important to me to have a good time - and to be honest, while it was a great event, it was pretty uneventful.
I'd hate to see writers be stifled on this forum with a whole bunch of rules. I have enough aggravation in my life without adding any more...
As an aside, I had to go London a few weeks ago for work. Probably the funniest trip home on AA in J I have had (LHR to MIA) Sat beside a mad Columbian called Carlos. His son Carlos Jnr was down the back. It still makes me smile as I remember the experience. Or what I can remember of it.
But the rest of trip was as boring as blazes. I wont write TR's anymore unless I have finished them and to me, they need to be interesting. I'm also not a fan of reserving places (post holders) for future updates.
I have no idea how I got to this thread. I thought I was looking at soft porn and then all of a sudden, I ended up here...
Jul 10, 2013, 9:49 am
#105
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 566
Once upon a time, FT members posted trip reports AFTER they completed their trip. A reader could peruse the Trip Reports section and feel confident that once they found an interesting thread, they could actually read the report.
It has now gotten to the point that many members post epic itineraries before they even step on a plane, and then rarely follow through, leaving readers to keep checking back in hopes of updates.
There are some longtime members who do keep a running journal of their travels, such as EightBlack, Moomba, SFO777 and others. But I think the vast majority are causing the Trip Reports section to lose credibility.
Do other FT members feel the same? Should there be some type of criteria that a substantial portion of the report be posted first?
What are your thoughts on this?
It has now gotten to the point that many members post epic itineraries before they even step on a plane, and then rarely follow through, leaving readers to keep checking back in hopes of updates.
There are some longtime members who do keep a running journal of their travels, such as EightBlack, Moomba, SFO777 and others. But I think the vast majority are causing the Trip Reports section to lose credibility.
Do other FT members feel the same? Should there be some type of criteria that a substantial portion of the report be posted first?
What are your thoughts on this?
How about a petition to stop people making up infantile stories of huge alcohol consumption on flights in order to make themselves apparently look cool? Credibility? Irony?
Last edited by lighting; Jul 10, 2013 at 9:55 am