You know you are a frequent flyer when ...

[JessicaTam]

Based on Skyring's signature: "You know you travel too much when you have a favourite airport trolley", here are some of my (self indulgent and mostly true) experiences:

... you can't remember the last time you bought toiletries, and those you did buy are printed in a foreign language.

... your laptop automatically connects to every airport/hotel lounge wi-fi network you visit.

... you know the airline timetable better than your local train timetable.

... the hotel lounge attendant serves your drink without being asked - even if they are new.

... you don't need to show your FF card to enter the airport lounge.

... your friends don’t ask what you did on the weekend, but where you went.

... your friend, who has a standing order for you to buy duty free alcohol asks you to stop buying it because they have enough.

... the flight attendants recognises you before you recognise them.

What makes you a frequent flyer?

 

[seritonin]

You abbreviate city names on SMS or email as their airport codes

 

[defurax]

...you become the official travel agent for family, friends and work colleagues...

 

[serfty]

You raise a sweat making sure you get a seat in the "Skybus"/Airtrain/etc. adjacent to the door so you can make a quick exit without having to wait behind those hauling their bags off the racks before you can get away.

 

[JohnK]

A few those mentioned by JessicaTam apply to me as well.

No sooner do I go home and I am back in Brisbane again. It would be nice to stay home longer.

 

[Shan Man]

when you own 3 different charging cables for each device you have because you always seem to leave one at home when you travel.

or

when you know your FF number off by heart (alongside your credit card no.)

 

[Cruiser Elite]

when you know your FF number off by heart (alongside your credit card no.)

For 5 or 6 diff FF programs - and of course you know your Passport Number but can never remember date of your wedding anniversary.

Or when the Lounge ladies greet you by your first name.

Or when you can instantly recognise another pax confusion on where to go in a terminal and you stop and give them directions.

 

[markis10]

You cannot remember hotel room numbers.

 

[Shan Man]

For 5 or 6 diff FF programs - and of course you know your Passport Number but can never remember date of your wedding anniversary.

touche! I only have one of each so I'm lucky in that regard?

Or when you can instantly recognise another pax confusion on where to go in a terminal and you stop and give them directions.

When you know the layout of airports better than you do your own neighbourhood.

 

[Atleastonce]

You don't bother putting your suit case away at home, nor due you take the power board and cords out of that same bag.

You look at an aircraft overhead and by identifying the livery and knowing the time you can quote the flight number and destination.

 

[Himeno]

... you get used to being screwed around by an airline.


I've done/do a number of what's been mentioned and I don't fly as much as many other people here...
I was using IATA codes in text messages after my 5th flight.

 

[Archphoto]

This is scary - just about everything mentioned here I am guilty of. Would like to add:

- You know the visa requirements for the countries you're flying to better than the checkin counter staff.

Actually had a rather heated conversation with QF staff in ADL a few years back, who were adamant I couldn't fly to TH without a visa in my passport. Wasn't until I insisted she speak with her supervisor, that I was checked in.

 

[ALH]

You cannot remember hotel room numbers.

I take a photo of the room number. Sometimes forget the name of my hotel

 

[JessicaTam]

I take a photo of the room number. Sometimes forget the name of my hotel

I keep the cardboard folder with my keycard in my pocket to remind me of my room number.

 

[Archphoto]

You cannot remember hotel room numbers.

I remember giving the hotel room number from 2 weeks previous when signing for my dinner in Hilton Chongqing; felt very proud that I'd actually remembered my room number. Came crashing down to earth when my colleague suddenly realised that I'd given the wrong one and started laughing her head off.

 

[ALH]

I keep the cardboard folder with my keycard in my pocket to remind me of my room number.

Someone suggested to me years ago that this was an easy way to get your hotel room robbed if you had your pockets picked

 

[JohnK]

when you know your FF number off by heart (alongside your credit card no.)

I can remember most numbers off by heart. Passport, credit cards, bank account numbers, BSB codes for credit cards, frequent flyer numbers etc.

 

[JessicaTam]

Someone suggested to me years ago that this was an easy way to get your hotel room robbed if you had your pockets picked

Hmmm, I hadn't thought of that.

 

[Aeolus]

When you wake up in the middle of the night or when the alarm goes off, not knowing which hotel, state or country you are in.

 

[RooFlyer]

... you get a limo at your destination and the driver automatically picks up our discussion on sports from when he dropped me off last time;

... you know the exact key words that the Canadian immigration folks need to hear so as not to hassle you about 'working' in Canada, so these days you get through in seconds;

... lounge crawls, or indeed lounge hops no longer appeal

... friends come to you for FX .. not advice, actual foreign cash

I especially like this one of JTs:

... your laptop automatically connects to every airport/hotel lounge wi-fi network you visit.