What did we do before Flyer Talk?
May 2, 2024, 11:36 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Blue, Hilton Gold, Virgin Red
Posts: 2,143
What did we do before Flyer Talk?
I'm always bemused by posts asking what menu is one such and such a flight, what seat version will I get etc.
Wasn't there a time when we didn't have access to this information?
I remember you booked your flight, you got your seat allocation at the airport, and you'd "eat what you're given"*
Have we become spoiled?
Are we more demanding?
As a travel agent, we used to have ABC Guides to accommodation which gave you the "honest truth". Then TripAdvisor game along and you can now read reviews and work out which are real or not etc.
Also, despite having all these resources, has travelling become easier or better?
Have we lost some of the pleasure of flying -dare I say... magic- by knowing exactly what food we will be served, and what seat to expect?
*What my mum said when I asked what was for dinner. Either than or "stewed bugs and onions"
Wasn't there a time when we didn't have access to this information?
I remember you booked your flight, you got your seat allocation at the airport, and you'd "eat what you're given"*
Have we become spoiled?
Are we more demanding?
As a travel agent, we used to have ABC Guides to accommodation which gave you the "honest truth". Then TripAdvisor game along and you can now read reviews and work out which are real or not etc.
Also, despite having all these resources, has travelling become easier or better?
Have we lost some of the pleasure of flying -dare I say... magic- by knowing exactly what food we will be served, and what seat to expect?
*What my mum said when I asked what was for dinner. Either than or "stewed bugs and onions"
May 2, 2024, 11:52 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hampshire UK
Programs: BA Silver, Virgin Red, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 166
Well, I would go to Spoons or an equivalent, spend £15-20 on a fry up and couple of pints! I’m currently keeping Silver but just for the seat selection at booking, the other benefits I can do without.
I suspect my travel will reduce going forwards and the BAEC date changes have slightly bu…erd me this next year. I’m not sure I can be bothered to continue the game!,
I suspect my travel will reduce going forwards and the BAEC date changes have slightly bu…erd me this next year. I’m not sure I can be bothered to continue the game!,
May 2, 2024, 12:01 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 979
Probably before Flyertalk I would not have done the following:
Walked Through the Tunnels at T5
Gone to DUB to fly to LHR
Gone to Tallinn
Gone to Trier (great recommendation by cws)
Got any status whatsoever
Tried explaining that the best way to get to LAX was via BOS/JFK. My mates still don't understand
Sat in 64A on the 744 or 53K on the 388
I would also have spent a lot of time in the T5 Spoons and sitting in solid airport seats.
Status isn't the be all and end all but flying economy in Europe on BA still makes it better than the LCC's.
Ultimately I would have just turned up at an airport sat in the middle seat and not found flying as fun.
Walked Through the Tunnels at T5
Gone to DUB to fly to LHR
Gone to Tallinn
Gone to Trier (great recommendation by cws)
Got any status whatsoever
Tried explaining that the best way to get to LAX was via BOS/JFK. My mates still don't understand
Sat in 64A on the 744 or 53K on the 388
I would also have spent a lot of time in the T5 Spoons and sitting in solid airport seats.
Status isn't the be all and end all but flying economy in Europe on BA still makes it better than the LCC's.
Ultimately I would have just turned up at an airport sat in the middle seat and not found flying as fun.
May 2, 2024, 12:14 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,958
The same sort of travel hacks were shared between people. At a big company, lots of people travelled and talked among themselves and with their partners and friends. So word got round about some things. But there were fewer hacks and the number of people exploiting them was fewer. Travel in general was a very different affair to what it is now. Janet and John did not go to Thailand, they went to Benidorm or Rhyll. Only Tarquin and Tabatha went to exotic places.
May 2, 2024, 12:56 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Blue, Hilton Gold, Virgin Red
Posts: 2,143
Probably before Flyertalk I would not have done the following:
Walked Through the Tunnels at T5
Gone to DUB to fly to LHR
Gone to Tallinn
Gone to Trier (great recommendation by cws)
Got any status whatsoever
Tried explaining that the best way to get to LAX was via BOS/JFK. My mates still don't understand
Sat in 64A on the 744 or 53K on the 388
I would also have spent a lot of time in the T5 Spoons and sitting in solid airport seats.
Status isn't the be all and end all but flying economy in Europe on BA still makes it better than the LCC's.
Ultimately I would have just turned up at an airport sat in the middle seat and not found flying as fun.
Walked Through the Tunnels at T5
Gone to DUB to fly to LHR
Gone to Tallinn
Gone to Trier (great recommendation by cws)
Got any status whatsoever
Tried explaining that the best way to get to LAX was via BOS/JFK. My mates still don't understand
Sat in 64A on the 744 or 53K on the 388
I would also have spent a lot of time in the T5 Spoons and sitting in solid airport seats.
Status isn't the be all and end all but flying economy in Europe on BA still makes it better than the LCC's.
Ultimately I would have just turned up at an airport sat in the middle seat and not found flying as fun.
And also, I wouldn't have met so many of you at events or Lounge meet ups.
You all remember, right?
May 2, 2024, 1:08 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,238
Good thread....I'd agree with all of your points. I used to get excited about flying even in economy. 
I'm pretty sure I was made aware of Flyertalk through a Tesco Clubcard forum. So joined up to see how I could use my Tesco points for flying.
Sould add before Flyertalk I just used to use the airline that offered the best value fare to the destnation I wanted to go to.Usually just by phoning around.
I'm pretty sure I was made aware of Flyertalk through a Tesco Clubcard forum. So joined up to see how I could use my Tesco points for flying.
Sould add before Flyertalk I just used to use the airline that offered the best value fare to the destnation I wanted to go to.Usually just by phoning around.
Last edited by HIDDY; May 2, 2024 at 1:17 pm
May 2, 2024, 3:09 pm
#14
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Scotland & London
Programs: BA GGL, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Mucci des Salons Ouvrants
Posts: 3,094
May 2, 2024, 3:22 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Scotland
Programs: BAEC - Silver | Hilton Honors - Gold
Posts: 302
What did we do before FlyerTalk?
We wandered airports aimlessly, wondering if there were such things as mediocre lounges and questionable boarding practices.
In all seriousness it’s been a great help to me, to understand the nuances and quirks of BAEC and keep up to date with the “exciting” changes at BA
We wandered airports aimlessly, wondering if there were such things as mediocre lounges and questionable boarding practices.
In all seriousness it’s been a great help to me, to understand the nuances and quirks of BAEC and keep up to date with the “exciting” changes at BA