What's your definition of a Frequent Flyer?

[QF WP]

The dictionary.com definition of frequent:

fre·quent (adj.)
Occurring or appearing quite often or at close intervals, or
Habitual or regular

So it is very subjective as to what everybody considers "frequent". Whether it be weekly, fortnightly, monthly or a multi-sector trip irregularly, all of those might be considered "frequent". Trips can also be business, leisure or a combination of both.

Personally, I consider "frequent" in terms of flying to be at least monthly (an a return flight), thus 24 sectors a year I'd consider "frequent". I don't fly every month, but other months I more than make up for it. And then we have holidays where I like to go to far flung places which usually require multi-sector trips.

QF and other carriers would like to see our "frequency" increased and offer discounted airfare sales.

 

[Warks]

You know you are a FF when it is 3 hours til your 2 week away flight and you still feel you have half an hour to start packing.

You know you are a FF when your travel agent finds you to be a pratt.

You know you are a FF when the offer of a free flight on Jetstar or Virgin Blue is like someone sticking a knife in your eye

You know you are a FF when you are sitting in a bar in Bombay typing reasons that define a FF.

To Add:

You know you are a FF when your kids forget your name.

You know you are a FF when your SO forgets your name.

You know you are a FF when FAs and Lounge Dragons do .

To continue (should have its own thread!)

You know you're a FF when you end up giving your points to relatives as the last damn thing you want to do on holidays is get on a plane!

You know you're a FF when you get excited about the 1st of the month as you'll have a new Qantas mag to read for the 20 minutes of taxiing at SYD.

You know you're a FF when you've worked out where to park in the short term car park at SYD to get a spot near the terminal nearly every time.

 

[bigjobs]

You know you're a FF when you get excited about the 1st of the month as you'll have a new Qantas mag to read for the 20 minutes of taxiing at SYD.

That's gold Jerry, gold ...

i know that one all too much.

 

[Alan in CBR]

I'm reminded of a scene from "Annie Hall" where a psychiatrist asks a couple (separately) how often they have sex.

They man says, "Hardly ever. Maybe three times a week."
The woman says, "Constantly. I'd say three times a week."

Most people fly very little. To them six return flights a year would be "frequent". For a road warrior, one return flight every month would be "hardly ever". There's a 100% variation already.

For me, my two RTWs a year and other miscellaneous stuff seems fairly moderate. I'm sure my wife thinks it's way too frequent.

As with the "Annie Hall" quote above, I think a lot of it has to do with enjoyment, or lack thereof. If travelling is a drag, then it probably falls into the "constantly" classification. If you always look forward to your next trip, then it is closer to "hardly ever".

 

[NM]

You know you're a FF when you get excited about the 1st of the month as you'll have a new Qantas mag to read for the 20 minutes of taxiing at SYD.

You know you're a FF when you complete the crossword in the in-flight magazine before the door has been closed - because you have done it so may times already this month.

You know you're a FF when the taxi drivers recognise you at the airport rank.

You know you're a FF when your FF card is in the most easily accessed slot in your wallet.

You know you're a FF when sitting in the front row of the cabin, you hand the display items to the FA doing the safety demonstration in the correct order (seat belt, oxy mask, safety card etc).

You know you're a FF when you find your own cuff link under the aircraft seat.

You know you're a FF when your kid tells his teacher that his daddy travels to work on an aeroplane.

 

[icarus]

You know you're an FF when you no longer bother pinching the mini-toiletries from hotel rooms.

(Though, actually, a Minister I have worked for still does this, but she gives them to women's refuges.)

I agree sectors is a better measure than FF programme status - you can keep Qantas Gold on 3 business-class trips to Perth a year, and that's not really frequent flying.

Basically I think you're an FF once you no longer look forward to it. Early in my working life I thought geting to fly somewhere for work was quite glamorous. Now it's a bl00dy great imposition, though occasionally welcome for the opportunity to shop for shoes. But I'm in Melbourne this week, Sydney next week and Perth the week after that, and I'd like a few nights in my own bed for once.

 

[JohnK]

I agree sectors is a better measure than FF programme status - you can keep Qantas Gold on 3 business-class trips to Perth a year, and that's not really frequent flying.

You are right.

If I am not mistaken 5 business class flights SYD-SIN-SYD each year maintains WP.

 

[aspro2]

Can't we include people who *think* about travel every day, know their way around better than a TA, but no longer get to fly frequently? Please?

 

[danielh]

I have now done 30 1/2 consecutive weekly MEL-SYD return flights.

I think this is my last week of flying and I am on 1,220 SCs for the year.

I may not be platinum but I regard myself as a frequent flyer.

Regards
Daniel

PS: I also now know every staff member at my hotel by first name and they all know me as well. I also like the automatic upgrades to suites I now get each week. This week was my 30th stay with them so I got some free movie tickets as well.

 

[shillard]

In my peak year of 2600+ status credits?

(There were often in combination....)

NTL-SYD-NTL: 41

NTL-MEL-NTL: 12

NTL-BNE-NTL: 8

NTL-OOL-NTL: 1

SYD-AKL-SYD: 8

SYD-CHC-SY: 1

SYD-AKL-CHC-WLG-SYD: 1

SYD-LAX-ORD-LAX-SYD: 2

SYD-NAN-SYD: 2

SYD-MEL-PER-SYD: 2

SYD-PER-SYD: 2

BEO-SYD-BEO: 6

SYD-ADL-SYD: 2

MEL-ADL-SYD: 2


Cut it way down these days.....last 12 months:

NTL-SYD-NTL: 11

NTL-MEL-NTL: 31

NTL-BNE-NTL: 8

SYD-MEL-SYD: 4

SYD-MEL-NTL: 3

SYD-BNE-SYD: 2

NTL-00L-SYD: 1

SYD-ADL-PER-SYD: 3

SYD-PER-SYD: 2

NTL-MEL-PER-SYD-BNE-NTL (in 2 days, cop that).

SYD-NRT-SYD: 1

SYD-NAN-AKL-SYD: 1

SYD-AKL-SYD: 1

SYD-NAN-SYD: 3

SYD-NAN-BNE: 1

NTL-MEL-ADL-SYD: 3

SYD-ALD-SYD: 2


Much more relaxed.

 

[duffshot]

Can I just say I find the "you know you are a frequent flyer when..." to be a great guide and the funniest posting for a long time. If you laugh out loud for every one of them it is a good sign you are a frequent flyer. (oh yeah and if you are interstate or OS again at the time that's a good sign too)

 

[duffshot]

You know you are a FF when you live out of a suitcase when you are at home because it just feels weird when you dont

You know you are a FF when you can't be bothered extending OS business trips to include a weekend and just turn around and come straight home

I'm glad I am not the only one who gets excited about the first trip of the month too.

 

[browski]

You know you're a FF when you get excited about the 1st of the month as you'll have a new Qantas mag to read for the 20 minutes of taxiing at SYD.

I may have delayed a flight or 2 to fall on the first day of the month so that the new cycle of movies also kicks in - the admission of that fact makes me realise how pathetic I've become. :shock:

 

[NM]

I may have delayed a flight or 2 to fall on the first day of the month so that the new cycle of movies also kicks in - the admission of that fact makes me realise how pathetic I've become. :shock:

And isn't it really annoying when you do so and then find they have not rolled to the new programming even though its now the 2nd or 3rd of the new month! Had that happen too many times :twisted: .

 

[BlacKnox]

You know you're a FF when your kid tells his teacher that his daddy travels to work on an aeroplane.

My favourite so far . To add:

You know you're a FF when you BYO headphones

You know you're a FF when you've seen all the latest movies before their domestic release, twice...

 

[NM]

You know you're a FF when your kid tells his teacher that his daddy travels to work on an aeroplane.

My favourite so far . To add:

And it happened to me .

Teacher: And Mini NM#2, what does your dad do?
Mini NM#2: I don't know what he does, but he goes to work on an aeroplane.

 

[oz_mark]

Teacher: And Mini NM#2, what does your dad do?
Mini NM#2: I don't know what he does, but he goes to work on an aeroplane.

Lets hope NM knows what he does

 

[MD]

I have been observing fellow FFs during my three SYD-MEL-SYD flights this week.

I thought I was a FF because I routinely fall asleep during taxiing and take-off.

The real FFs sleep through landing as well

 

[thadocta]

I have been observing fellow FFs during my three SYD-MEL-SYD flights this week.

I thought I was a FF because I routinely fall asleep during taxiing and take-off.

The real FFs sleep through landing as well

Done that - they had to wake me in J after a CBR-SYD flight on AN - they had to wake me so that I could leave the plane, so that they could let the steerage SLC off.

Mind you, I had been in Casino Canberra all night, and was asleep before push-back, and right throughout the flight, and landing, and taxiing.

Dave

 

[JohnK]

Teacher: And Mini NM#2, what does your dad do?
Mini NM#2: I don't know what he does, but he goes to work on an aeroplane.

Lets hope NM knows what he does

Classic :!:

Priceless :!: