juddles
Suspended
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2011
- Posts
- 5,283
- Qantas
- Platinum 1
Hi all,
this thread may be seen as heretical in a forum such as this, but I am hoping to create a refuge, an outlet, a sharing spot, for those that are either losing the love of flying, or are questioning their Faith.
I do not do this altruistically - I am suffering such a loss of faith, so hearing from others with such woes may help me see the light. Find comfort or ideas or direction.
This is not about attacking a certain airline, it is not about working the system, it is not about crying crocodile tears. But surely there are others who have both loved flying, but also see its other, damaging side.
Due to work and personal reasons I have spent the last few years mainly in the air. Great status, "perks", etc, but essentially IMHO it is just a horrible necessity that one tries to make bearable.
I cannot remember who posted the concept (sorry!) but it was essentially "the higher your airline status, the lesser your quality of Life". I have finally found the truth in that.
Just as per Alcoholics Anonymous, the first step is recognizing there is a problem. With alcohol, it is much more simple because it is universally seen as a bad habit. But here, with flying, things are more complicated, and there are so many (most) who truly think flying is great, and many aspire to true mega-mile frequent flying.
But I have had enough. I feel the weight it has had on my family. Time away from loved ones that can never be regained. I see my aging face and know that half the grey hairs sprouted whilst enduring yet another airport queue. I see the bulging stomach that cough food and the impossibility of routine, of exercise and so forth, that this lifestyle has brought. And I also see the folly of status runs, an end product of the fantastic success (economically) that airlines have had with their ever-enchanting goals they put before you to mesmerize us.
Anyway, I hope this year to change. Thus I have probably the opposite goal of most FFers. I want to DROP status. I start this year as a P1 with QF, a "Black" (WP) with Latam, and a "Diamond" (P1 equivalent) with Avianca. I have to do a couple of trips, but my new goal is to minimize everything. make every decision on price and true necessity, and absolutely minimize any travel.
I know most of AFF members will abhor this, but there must be others who are in a similar mind frame. This is where I hope those will speak out.
If you are jaded, or wavering, or questioning, this is the place to open up.
I coughing hate queues and airline food.
this thread may be seen as heretical in a forum such as this, but I am hoping to create a refuge, an outlet, a sharing spot, for those that are either losing the love of flying, or are questioning their Faith.
I do not do this altruistically - I am suffering such a loss of faith, so hearing from others with such woes may help me see the light. Find comfort or ideas or direction.
This is not about attacking a certain airline, it is not about working the system, it is not about crying crocodile tears. But surely there are others who have both loved flying, but also see its other, damaging side.
Due to work and personal reasons I have spent the last few years mainly in the air. Great status, "perks", etc, but essentially IMHO it is just a horrible necessity that one tries to make bearable.
I cannot remember who posted the concept (sorry!) but it was essentially "the higher your airline status, the lesser your quality of Life". I have finally found the truth in that.
Just as per Alcoholics Anonymous, the first step is recognizing there is a problem. With alcohol, it is much more simple because it is universally seen as a bad habit. But here, with flying, things are more complicated, and there are so many (most) who truly think flying is great, and many aspire to true mega-mile frequent flying.
But I have had enough. I feel the weight it has had on my family. Time away from loved ones that can never be regained. I see my aging face and know that half the grey hairs sprouted whilst enduring yet another airport queue. I see the bulging stomach that cough food and the impossibility of routine, of exercise and so forth, that this lifestyle has brought. And I also see the folly of status runs, an end product of the fantastic success (economically) that airlines have had with their ever-enchanting goals they put before you to mesmerize us.
Anyway, I hope this year to change. Thus I have probably the opposite goal of most FFers. I want to DROP status. I start this year as a P1 with QF, a "Black" (WP) with Latam, and a "Diamond" (P1 equivalent) with Avianca. I have to do a couple of trips, but my new goal is to minimize everything. make every decision on price and true necessity, and absolutely minimize any travel.
I know most of AFF members will abhor this, but there must be others who are in a similar mind frame. This is where I hope those will speak out.
If you are jaded, or wavering, or questioning, this is the place to open up.
I coughing hate queues and airline food.
