Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Mileage runs, Flyertalk and obsessive compulsive flying: a film project
Those who are remotely close to airline world have probably heard the term "mileage running" or have listened to a brief tirade about upgrades or lounge access at some point -- and many of you have probably tuned it out.
For those of you genuinely curious about the industry and those who try to work the system, however, Gabriel Leigh put together a pretty good documentary for his Master's thesis on how milking the process works, the costs, benefits and some of the personalities therein.
You might recognize a few of the interviewees -- Steve Belkin is the founder of Competitours, Randy Petersen founded Flyertalk and those fingers holding the small airplane models? Brett Snyder's, from The Cranky Flier and the The Cranky Concierge.
Irrespective of whether you subscribe to the content or not, the filmography is excellent and is worth watching alone. If you make it through the entire 20 minute video, let us know in the comments whether it strikes you as vain or savvy. I still don't know myself.
For those of you genuinely curious about the industry and those who try to work the system, however, Gabriel Leigh put together a pretty good documentary for his Master's thesis on how milking the process works, the costs, benefits and some of the personalities therein.
You might recognize a few of the interviewees -- Steve Belkin is the founder of Competitours, Randy Petersen founded Flyertalk and those fingers holding the small airplane models? Brett Snyder's, from The Cranky Flier and the The Cranky Concierge.
Irrespective of whether you subscribe to the content or not, the filmography is excellent and is worth watching alone. If you make it through the entire 20 minute video, let us know in the comments whether it strikes you as vain or savvy. I still don't know myself.
Frequent Flyer from Gabriel Leigh.
Filed under: Airlines, Transportation, Airports, Budget Travel
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick Hawkins Oct 22nd 2009 11:18AM
Maybe it was just me, but I couldn't stand to watch it. It was like watching con artists rationalize behavior. Especially Petersen.
Rita Oct 22nd 2009 1:26PM
But I really liked the guy who got others to fly back & forth for $8. a flight so he could accumulate his/their miles.
Gabriel Leigh Oct 23rd 2009 2:48PM
Thanks for posting about my movie, Grant. And well done recognizing Brett's fingers!
John Oct 23rd 2009 2:49PM
Every Million miler is vain,for that matter everyone who has status be it the airlines,hotels,cruises etc...always crows about their "special perks". Yes it's wonderful to have some perks that manage to get you a few more goodies but do we have to brag about it?(If you wait five minutes in a airport some one will announce their"status")Do I tune them out....Guess!
Jay Oct 23rd 2009 11:27PM
Kind of creepy such a waste of money they are not even enjoying the places they are sitting in the airport just crazy...(Maybe deep down they wanted to be a pilot or FA the mile thing is a cover up lol)
Charlotte Nov 25th 2009 3:56PM
PBS FRONTLINE/World has a 13-minute version of the film (Gabriel calls it 'Frequent Flyer lite' ) on our site. We'll be conducting a Twitter interview today 11/25/09 at 3pm PST w/ Gabriel so follow us and join in w/ your questions.
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/rough/2009/11/30000_feet_freq.html
http://twitter.com/frontline_world
Thanks!
~Charlotte