We lost Darren Booth, Boarding Area blogger at Frequently Flying. Here is the comment I left at the classy short blog post announcing his passing by his parents. RIP Darren, you have no idea how much you will be missed, your passion for all things flying was so evident! Rapid Travel Chai has a nice tribute and (what else?) an amenity kit contest.
“I am sorry for your loss. Darren, as the comments clearly show, was a very kind and very well liked person by everyone he interacted with. I met him a few years ago in LA at one of the frequent flyer events and his gentle spirit, manners and integrity just shined through. I am very saddened he is no longer with us. You should be very proud of your son. Sincerely, George”
As is often the case, some good stuff at PFDigest (part of the Saverocity empire), including a free medium drink at Caribou Coffee. Coffee is good, free coffee is even better!
View from the Wing with a rundown on the beginning of the US Air and American Airlines integration…And thank you for calling out Milevalue blog for relentlessly pimping the crappy US Air credit card to unsuspecting readers!
Register for the new Club Carlson promotion: Stay 3 nights. Get 1 Free. Well, you actually get 38,000 CC points. Decent promotion. Not mattress material in my opinion. But if you are a road warrior and your employer is sending you away frequently…I would certainly shift three nights here!
Excellent post by Hack My Trip: “8 Suggestions for Better Travel“.
Canadian Kilometers has the details on how to redeem ShangriLa points. If you played its recent game you should have about 1,200 points which is good for $100 voucher in a hotel restaurant after a complicated redemption process explained in the post! Maybe we can redeem this when we visit Toronto next? Hope the points do not expire anytime soon!
Milenomics with another solid post “Using United Miles to Hawaii, Free One Ways and More”
By all blog accounts, the new “Cash & Points” feature of Hyatt Gold Passport is a big hit!
It has been unusually & brutally cold in Michigan. Third day the kids are home with no school…talk about the mother of all breaks! We all have become familiar with the words “polar vortex”. It is the blue in the picture below:
Anyone heard of Nok Air? After reading this article at Jaunted.com “Airline Pulls Playboby bunnies for Flirty 2014 Flight Attendant Calendar” I am so tempted to ask for a Diamond challenge on the airline and even go as far as offering them a TBB banner ad….for free 🙂
Remembering 1960s Afghanistan, the photographs of Bill Podlich. At the Denver Post. These are absolutely fascinating, wow!
Natural Viewfinder. By Twisted Sifter.
Isn’t this just an awesome picture or what? Found here
And I leave you with this:
These two Google search terms led to two people visiting TBB (no joke!):
“Orgy in Cuba” and
“how to avoid boredom when retired”
I am still shaking my head…
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First
RIP to Darren, seemed a lovely guy
I win!
Gotta love the back n’ forth between Gary and MileValue on twitter https://twitter.com/garyleff/status/420546449458216961
“@MileValue I do not think most of your readers would have thought you meant 6 months when you wrote ‘a few weeks'”
Lol 🙂
@Milevalue is a POS. A “few” pounds of it in fact.
Thanks for the link, very entertaining.
Please, don’t get angry 🙂
Perhaps MV would be open to a bet on whether 35K is higher than 30K?
I read that entire Twitter “duel”. How funny that MileValue(and even Gary) avoided the BIGGER question of why MV was pushing the crappier bonus and instead focused on the asinine question of what the definition of “a few weeks” is.
Gary took that head on in his blog post.
“how to avoid boredom when retired” is probably Ingy.
So, by extension, are you saying that “orgy in Cuba” cannot possibly be Ingy??
Criminy, there is now a picture in my mind that I need to erase…
Early contender for comment of the week:
ABC-“how to avoid boredom when retired” is probably Ingy.
Nok Aid is a Thai low cost. If I remember correctly, the ticket I bought to fly them from Chiang Mai to Bangkok was under $20. But once I got to Chiang Mai, I decided to stay there for a few weeks instead of few days and canceling the ticket would leave me with something likes $1 so I just gave away the ticket at my hostel. Maybe next time.
@Boon: You are Number 1! I believe it is a first and we always remember our first time lol.
@ Mel: You are a winner if you read TBB 🙂
@ Matt of the Saverocity Empire: He was a good dude, never fell down to pimping levels like others. He could have…He sought me out at the FTU LAX and introduced himself and told me how much he enjoys my blog. That was one of the first positive feedbacks I got about my blog (TBB was only 1 month old back then) and I always appreciated it.
@ Nick: Yeah…I am sure that blog could find a way to sell that too 🙂
@ ABC and Sam: Ok, I must admit, that comment made me laugh. Feel free to make fun of me too so all of you can laugh at my expense, I won’t get angry at all…on the contrary 😉
@ Dima: Thanks a lot for the comment with your experience on Nok Air. They hired models for the calendar shoot. The article had a link to a trip report of a Nok Air flight and was not that impressed 🙂
I love it the rare times MV doesn’t censor people who question his 30K link, if only because of his hilariously predictable and pathetic “actually, I wrote a post about the 35K offer back in April of last year”, as if that justifies the 300 times he’s linked to the inferior card since then without once mentioning it
This is the one time he didnt censor because he knows all those readers from Gary will come to his website and check it out. With so much attention on him, he must behave.
Actually, didn’t he censor PF Digests post?
Gary completely owned him. And he looks like a fool with his 30K credit card. Which is why he keeps on deflecting with this stupid “bet” that nobody besides him cares about
“6 months = a few weeks”
– Things people who will say anything to deflect from their shamelesness will say
I am going to miss that 30k credit card link when it eventually goes away in a few weeks from now 🙂
Has been the best way to judge the integrity of a blogger imho.
Steve–he let my original question through, answered it with a deflection, then deleted my more pointed (but still very polite) follow-up question.
Frequently Flying was a great guy. Too bad this didn’t happen to one of the sellout bloggers.
Really?
And “That” is what this hobby has come to? Hoping a blooger dies? I submit to you Buzz that allowing that kind of sentiment to be expressed on your blog is disgraceful, in extremely poor taste and shows a lack of control of the things discussed here.
I am not only embarrassed for John but you as well for allowing that to happen. You used the following term many times in your ranting first year. It is time you get it back in your face if you don’t remove that comment: “Disgusting” and I hope your readership follows what actions you take regarding that comment.
Over miles and points mind you. Just miles and points
John’s comment was uncalled for. Not something I would’ve said.
That being said, I thank you in advance TBB for not catering to the PC police and censoring a comment just because some grown men are offended by it.
“and shows a lack of control of the things discussed here”
Take it as a badge of honor Buzz. That’s just another way to say that you don’t censor. Leave the “controlling of things discussed” on ones blog to the MV’s and FTG’s of the world
“It is time you get it back in your face if you don’t remove that comment: ”
How dare you, sir, to try to coerce/threaten TBB into censoring posts! This is still the United States and we still have the first amendment.
As disgusting as John’s post was, I would rather see that than live in a world where short-sighted people like you get to set the rules.
I am not going to get drawn back into the issues I have made my feelings known about so many times…
Smells like another set up for me to censor and you know I won’t do it proudly!
I agree with Steve of course.
I find Rodman singing Happy Birthday to Uno dude disgusting too, I wish he hadn’t done it…heck, I wish he never went there. But he is an adult and we do live in a free country.
Thank you to all for your support.
Absolutely correct
Ingy and your other stalker-in-chief (speaking of pushing inferior offers…) would love nothing more than for you to censor that post, so that they can play the “a ha! TBB censors!” and they can run to FT to update the wiki
Let the comment stand. All of us know that you 99.5% understand that you vehemently disagree with that statement and will move on. 0.5% (basically 2 people) understand that you vehemently disagree with that statement, but will pretend otherwise because you occupy a lot of real estate in their heads
Your condoning those types of comments clearly show the kind of person you are George. I could care less about what side of the censors or doesn’t censor debate you are on. You will censor my posting your full name (Stephanopoulos) [real name substituted to a similar sounding name of a guy who is a really cool dude imho] was changed to and the name of the publication you write for ( THE Journal) [real name substituted with a similar sounding one]. You know it. I know it and most of your readers know it as well. Your lack of censoring is all you have left as you obviously have no clue about the sickness portrayed by your reader wishing the death of bloggers.
So keep that badge right into oblivion George. You have lost touch with reality and your declining readership is further evidence of your lack of impact on the travel community and decent human beings worldwide.
Your decision to let the comment stand is a disgusting display that you and your readers that support that behavior deserve each other.
I am embarrassed for you beyond belief that you would condone and support such comments. Disgusting. You don’t have the balls to remove it in the name of human decency. George, You are a Coward.
ingy, good thing you are a friend of George’s (as you so often state). Maybe you should try being his enemy…can’t get much worse.
About your self-righteous moral outrage: do you also write to the newspaper every time you see something that you deem offensive, and say they have “no balls” (classy, btw) when they refuse to humor you?
Hey Rick,
There’s a big difference between something in poor taste, and divulging personal private information. There’s obviously no threat being made to you. But it is your namecalling and ranting that would perhaps be justified if someone actually threatened harm that suggest you are unhinged from reality. This comment shows more about you than any of this shows about George.
Good day.
Ingy, are you REALLY this humorless?
If so, it makes you part of what is wrong with this country. If you aren’t grown-up enough to be able to see someone to make a tacky comment and NOT blow a gasket and run to your host and tell him to censor the guy — or throw him out of the party — then you probably aren’t grow-up enough to be out in public without a nanny!
Since when does NOT censoring someone equate to condoning and supporting… And since when are your feelings so easily hurt by what someone on the interwebs writes? You’re being unpleasant on purpose and it’s not a good reflection on you. (Geez, if you want every website/blog owner to censor every comment you find yucky, you need to stay off the web!)
I’m not threatening George in any manner or form. He runs his own blog. He can leave it or remove it. That is his choice. But his letting that comment stand shows exactly who he is. And it is disgusting he doesn’t have the balls to remove a comment like that.
People could post your home address here, Rick, but George is so classy that he would take it down in an instant. Is that censorship?
Of course that is censorship and believe or not censorship is an acceptable practice in respectable blogs. It is the blog owners responsibility to his readers to keep the conversation, although with differing opinions, moving in a positive worthwhile direction. George just doesn’t get that. He thinks slamming others is a positive. He thinks allowing comments wishing the death of others is a positive for his blog based on First Amendment rights.
Every blog should be censored to keep the discussion moving in a direction. If I post the name of a Greek Porn site, or a link to same, should George censor it? Of course he should. If somebody is throwing out F-Bombs every other word, should George censor it? Of course he should.
George has mistakenly decided that anything goes on his site and is feeling the consequences with his dwindling audience. 99.9% of the general public is offended by a comment wishing death on other bloggers. That has no place or adds nothing to the conversation and you all know it. He is just to F’ing stubborn to admit it. He made his stand on no censorship and is going to stand by it regardless of what people put on his blog. It has truly now become the TabloidBloggerBuzz
How would George like these headlines in other blogs:
“Wall Street Journal Contributing Writer Condones Death Wish Comment on Fellow Bloggers” and names are named.
“George Papa likes underage Greek Girls”
“George Papa Overcharges for his Stock Index Advice”
My point is very simple and if you can’t see it, stick around to the bitter end. Censorship in blogging in today’s F’ed Up World is a requirement to maintain common human decency. If you want John and his comment to represent your feelings, then continue to support its inclusion in these blog comments.
George has crossed the line. And that is MY Opinion
Sure is nice to know Angry Ingy hasn’t lost his overinflated sense of self importance that he feels he has the moral authority to lecture others…
Ingy probably posted that offensive message himself, just so he could get off on his censorship rant.
“99.9% of the general public is offended by a comment wishing death”
You mean the ENTIRE 0.1% of the general public is here, reading, and undisturbed by the comment? People SAY (or write) offensive comments. Grow up and get over it!
Thanks Elenor for the support. I agree with your comments of course, well said!
Darren’s passing is indeed very, very sad for the community, I can only imagine how much more so it is for his family. I hope that the community is able to come up with something good and positive to do in his honor. Not only because he was such a positive and uplifting guy, but because that is what this community needs more of, not less of.
I so agree. Maybe dear godfather of miles BA leader can institute something in his memory? Make it a topic at next Bacon conference. I really liked how the announcement was made by his parents in his blog, very classy.
Apparently the fine folks at Barclay’s don’t read MileValue….
“MOST IMPORTANT, THE CARD PROGRAM IS NOT GOING AWAY [emphasis mine]. It’s getting better! Your existing Dividend Miles and any new miles you earn are secure. Plus, coming soon you’ll have more ways to earn miles around the world with codeshare between US Airways and
American Airlines.
Keep using your US Airways Dividend Miles MasterCard. It’s the only card that gives you access to exclusive benefits on US Airways—like Zone 2 priority boarding and the ability to earn Dividend Miles for every dollar you spend.
Be on the lookout for information about new benefits, coming soon.”
I tried to comment a condolence on Darren’s blog but got caught up in the spam filter. When this happened on Gary’s and Lucky’s blogs, I emailed or tweeted them to ask them to unspam me. I don’t want to bother the grieving parents with something like this but maybe one of the BA bloggers can get your tech admin to unspam it? It’s very sad to hear of his loss, he did seem like a nice guy though I never met him.
I would suspect the BA admins are clearing comments from time to time on that post for Darren, though I can’t swear to that. They do have access though and I imagine they are taking care of that.
WOW! What a rant from your friend. Very mature. For what, because you did not censor a bad/tasteless/immature joke? Geeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzz!..No one was hurt……………………………………………………………………..WSJ, your drinkin buddy Louis Rukeyser would be proud Buzz.
Now that I read Ingys comments again, dammit I am really pissed. He called you Buzz! I thought I was the only one who can call you by that nickname!
Wow, just wow!
Thank you ingy for spending so much time in my blog. I never understood the fascination you have about my blog. And I never will.
And thank you for taking the time to comment. You are always welcome to express your feelings here.
I just got back from the gym and my wife made me my favorite curry soup.
To my readers for the private emails and support: Thank you very much.
To ingy: Happy New Year.
And still no remorse or the guts to call your commenter out for his tasteless comment? at least some of your commenters had that courage. You are a coward. George. And yes I see you changed your last name from the correct last name to Stephanopolous, and removed the name of your publication you write for. Seems like censorship to me to protect yourself and yet allowed such a distasteful comment about others.
Maybe I’d better write your wife to have her put you back in place. Gutless.
Dude, give it a rest. George isn’t responsible for other peoples tasteless jokes.
Stop obessessing on his name and stop trying to ruin his life. You are being an internet bully bc something offends you. Grow up
Get a grip. You are frothing at the mouth now. Methinks you need to up your Lithium dosage…
Just chiming in as one more voice of support for you, TBB. Ingy’s taunting and holier-than-thou comments are over to top and extremely tasteless. I wish he’d take his ball(s) and go home. And trust me, I really make every effort to avoid that kind of language. But it seems just the right turn of phrase to use right now.
I did not know Darren but understand how much he will be missed. May his memory serve as a blessing.
On another topic, are any of you from New Jersey? I am chuckling a bit at the revelations that huge traffic jams from lane closures were politically motivated, although I feel badly for those whose ambulances had trouble getting through, the kids who were late for the first day of school, and all the others inconvenienced over four days. What a story. We will surely here more about it.
Meanwhile, Dennis Rodman is on the national news singing Happy Birthday to his “friend” Kim Jong Il. Oy vey.
Over and out.
I must admit I liked the Gov. I thought him and the President cooperating was really really good about what the country needs. But I think he may be permanently damaged if what came up proves to be true.
Ingy, aren’t the one who posted that comment as John to start your parade? You have fallen so low I can almost bet it was you. Shame on you old fart.
Rick, you are pathetic my dude. Get a life already.
Any normal, level headed person knows that just cause TBB doesn’t sensor that stupid comment it doesn’t mean he agrees with it. How old are you? You sure you’re not like 12 and just pulled the biggest ruse of all time.
I rarely comment here, but your fanaticism and attempts at blackmail are ridiculous. The G must stand for goof.
Guys please no need for personal attacks. As a blogger it is fine when they attack me, comes with the territory I guess.
The “gutless coward” smh
Getting back on topic: I got the old Amex Blue Cash in my hands today. And just to take a break from work…I went for the IHGRewards 80k visa, been more than a few years since I had it. I was instantly approved which was shocking, I had the Recon # on speed dial ready to push the button 🙂
“And still no remorse or the guts to call your commenter out for his tasteless comment? at least some of your commenters had that courage. You are a coward. George. And yes I see you changed your last name from the correct last name to Stephanopolous, and removed the name of your publication you write for. Seems like censorship to me to protect yourself and yet allowed such a distasteful comment about others.
Maybe I’d better write your wife to have her put you back in place. Gutless.”
Why do you care so much? Seriously, do you have nothing better to do than to be a Troll? Calling a “real person names” Wasn’t that why you got thread after thread of people criticizing bloggers on FT shutdown?” You reported many of us to admins for doing nothing more than calling you out on your own BS. You couldn’t take the criticisim, yet you come on here on your own time, to read something you don’t like.
Why don’t you go read something you do like? George isn’t on BA or F2B, he doesn’t care about making money, he does this for fun. Why don’t you take the advice of everyone else and get the hell out of here Rick? I mean, you killed how many deals by pimping them? How many stupid posts has Arianna done about linking 20 or more cards in one post. This after you “sold the blog” yet you keep coming back and doing “guest posts”. You then say you have “no control” over the blog, yet it seems like you have significant editorial influence.
Why are you acting like a child with your passive agressive BS? Oh George doesn’t censor, so I IGGY am going to throw a tempertantrum until I get my way *WAHHH look at me, I am IGGY and I can’t get my way WAHHHH”. Or even better I am going to try to hold George hostage, by outing his real name or forcing him to censor.
Maybe I should give you a taste of your own medicine and create my own website, pay google for SEO and paste all of your personal information, your families information, your kids names, addresses. Maybe I should blackmail you for 50% of your proceeds from selling FTG or else I will release your real name, address, contact info on FT, so all the “angries” can have it.
Do you see how ridicolous you are? Then to boot, you go and threaten to tell his wife, and try to get him in trouble with her? What are you a two year old with an inferiority complex? I am going to tell mommy or daddy on george because he is being mean to me!! *WAHHHHH*
Why don’t we call a spade, a spade Rick, you are not TBB’s friend, You are an enemy, and I am unsure why you are so threatened by this blog, and it’s readers. After all, we are just a bunch of angries with a blog to read.
Iggy my last parting thoughts for you respond directly to this post.
“If somebody is throwing out F-Bombs every other word”
FU IGGY, FU IGGY, FU IGGY, FU IGGY.
Iggy I have a proposal for you. Lets meet in person, and see if you call me or anyone else the names you have caused George. If you did, I would knock your ass out, go to jail and it would be worth every minute, to have your face busted open for the crap you spew online. I gurantee your big fat butt wouldn’t stand a chance. (See how it feels to be on the receiving end of this?) I am sure you will ask for this post to be censored IGGY, but the bottom line is, I am doing all the same things you have done to other posters, or what you have done to George.
Fokker Out
Let’s not feed the trolls anymore.
Talking about Iggy…as in Iggy Pop, here is something for your amusement. My kids’ middle school in Ann Arbor has a famous alumnus: Iggy Pop himself! He actually ran for Class President at 8th grade!