FLyertalk premium

[simongr]

Ok now not sure if this is taboo here - but here goes. I have the Gold subscription here but have never stumped up the money over at FT. Frankly some of the "that question has been asked many many times" terse responses were making me cranky. Also the speed over at FT can be painful.

But have had firefox stall too many times when after posting you get directed to the pic of an NW aircraft I stumped up the fee to join and get rid of ads.

The amazing side effect of this was that FT actually now works like a proper website - now massive delays - quite good actually.

Just thought I would share that with anyone who is pondering the premium subscriptions.

S

 

[Hawkeye]

I never had any problems with FT in terms of stabilty, but did pony up for the premium subscription some time ago. Some bizarre logic on my part inspired me to do that - I feel if I make use of information on a forum, I should contribute financially in a small way.

FWIW, I echo your sentiments about the nature of posting over there. I got my head bitten off after posting a genuine question, and have elected not to post again. I continue to read the QF, Oneworld, and SPG fora on a daily basis however.

AFF provides a much friendlier environment, and is often a more useful source of information. The endless debates about Champagne in F over on FT can be a drag ...

 

[oz_mark]

Ok now not sure if this is taboo here - but here goes. I have the Gold subscription here but have never stumped up the money over at FT. Frankly some of the "that question has been asked many many times" terse responses were making me cranky. Also the speed over at FT can be painful.

But have had firefox stall too many times when after posting you get directed to the pic of an NW aircraft I stumped up the fee to join and get rid of ads.

The amazing side effect of this was that FT actually now works like a proper website - now massive delays - quite good actually.

Just thought I would share that with anyone who is pondering the premium subscriptions.

S

I had noticed some time ago that the speed it serves up ads can be quite slow. Most of the time when I was waiting for a page to show, it turned out that it was waiting for a response from an ad server somewhere, so does not surprise me that you have got the result that you report.

AFF works much better without ads as well

 

[clifford]

Ok now not sure if this is taboo here - but here goes. I have the Gold subscription here but have never stumped up the money over at FT. Frankly some of the "that question has been asked many many times" terse responses were making me cranky. Also the speed over at FT can be painful.

But have had firefox stall too many times when after posting you get directed to the pic of an NW aircraft I stumped up the fee to join and get rid of ads.

The amazing side effect of this was that FT actually now works like a proper website - now massive delays - quite good actually.

Just thought I would share that with anyone who is pondering the premium subscriptions.

S

I must be missing something.

I've never noticed these problems (just assumed that FT was basically slow, but not too slow IMHO).

I won't be ponying up any money to FT.

 

[simongr]

I paid it because I was getting sick of the Ads and at $15 for a year - its not bad. I was surprised by the change in speed - I guess I am not a patient person

 

[Mal]

FT Premium works for me...

BTW, The other benefit is an increase in the number of messages allowed to be stored in 'Private Messages'. It increases from 500 messages to 2500.

 

[NYCguy]

FWIW, I echo your sentiments about the nature of posting over there. I got my head bitten off after posting a genuine question, and have elected not to post again.

I hear that. I have also been flamed for replying to posts; ironically one reply in question was devoid of my usual sanctimonious sermonizing, so I really was most surprised by the resulting tirade. Anyhoo, I only go to FT now and then to catch up on the latest whining, coughing complaints which usually turn out to be about nothing. Best avoided are the endless threads about recliners in economy rolleyes: ), screaming children and their rights to sit in premium cabins mad: ) or yet more complaints about the temerity of the cabin crew for not submitting to those who suffer from severe DYKWIA syndrome evil: ).

The debates about champagne in F are also tiresome. As far as I am concerned, the only drinkable champagne comes labelled Salon S or Krug Clos du Mesnil, or perhaps Krug/Dom Pérignon rosé. Anything else is rubbish, and debate is entirely irrelevant . Since I am not aware of anyone serving any of these brews (other than DP rosé in SQ's suites), I avoid it altogether, and stick to red.

I am also sick of threads that bemoan the passing of the caviar service aboard most carriers. Your butler can buy it for you to have at home, you know .

 

[simongr]

I am also sick of threads that bemoan the passing of the caviar service aboard most carriers. Your butler can buy it for you to have at home, you know .

Mine refuses to buy it on environmental gounds - thinking I need a new butler...

 

[Bundy Bear]

AFF and FT both have their good and bad points.

FT premium is definitely worth the money and AFF premium is certainly nice.

Not sure why you would need to store 2,500 PM on the premium FT version, but only 10 PMs on the regular AFF version isn't really enough.

 

[oz_mark]

AFF and FT both have their good and bad points.

FT premium is definitely worth the money and AFF premium is certainly nice.

Not sure why you would need to store 2,500 PM on the premium FT version, but only 10 PMs on the regular AFF version isn't really enough.

I wondered that myself.2,500 is a lot of PM !

 

[NYCguy]

Mine refuses to buy it on environmental gounds - thinking I need a new butler...

When you butler starts to lecture you about the environmental consequences of how you choose to run your household/s, then it is indeed time to get a new butler.

 

[Keith009]

There are many reasons why I'd never dream of coughing up a single cent to FT - and the overzealous, heavy-handed, bizarre, political , grossly unfair, arbitrary and simply - quite disgusting and repulsive moderation is one of them. *deep breaths* I won't reveal any details or name any names but those who know me will know what I'm talking about. There are many good uns there, but all it takes is a few unpleasant incidents (ego tripping and self important moderators) to turn someone off completely. *Deep breaths*

Twas quite an effort to keep that last paragraph expletive-free... Perhaps I should stick to the standard, overused by speech writers "clearly shameful and an absolute disgrace" in future.

Besides posting my TRs there so that those who who insist on sticking to FT can read them, I prefer to contribute my resources to and participate in where my friends are - ie largely elsewhere. Like AFF!

 

[JohnK]

Ever since I got cable installed the internet speed has been very good, even on FT, and as I only visit FT on rare occasions no need to subscribe.

I think the contribution from members determines whether a forum is useful and I am not convinced that it is necessary to become a subscriber. Sure the person who owns the forum needs to make a profit but that can be achieved through advertising. I do not need the extra PMs, faster posting speed and it is quite easy to ignore the ads....

 

[serfty]

Faster page loading/free advert has been discussed elsewhere.

I don't denigrate FT for who may be there - Itry to help.

AFF is an extremely useful resource for OZ based frequent fliers; especially in regard to things such as "Earning 'points' thru Oz Credit/charge cards".

FT is still very useful, literally in a global sense; take my FT sourced posts today on the difference betwixt the Montreal and Warsaw conventions and applicability to delayed/lost luggage.