An FTer birthday this week – a happy birthday for mrakant on 11th October.

Jenbel and chrissxb have set up a fantastic consolidated do thread.

New news – pax dash with ash – is a terminal dump too rash?

A report on a trip – Frankfurt to Dubai in LH F.

Something from the talking heads, err Talk Board – a proposal for a new San Diego destination forum and a request for a new fare gone subforum in mileage run forum.

Something random – US$7846 offer for downgrade compensation – would you take it?

…or, at least FlyerTalk member RichardInSF hopes so.

When one travels on a budget, one usually eschews paying $2 or $3 per pair of socks being cleaned by the hotel laundry service. A reasonable alternative, providing that one has the time, is patronizing a coin-operated laundromat.

Please assist RichardInSF in answering his question: Is there a website that helps travellers find coin-op laundromats worldwide?

I hope what is posted here does not deter gentlemen or ladies from reading that thread, resulting in them taking a powder…

…but you can draw your own conclusion.

FlyerTalk member WineIsGood asks Blackout curtains in hotel rooms: love them or hate them?.

Instead of being blind to answering that question, allow your mind to have an open window and hear what other FlyerTalk members are saying.

After all, why remain in the dark on this issue?

Why not?

For the third consecutive year, FlyerTalk member jfe is inviting fellow FlyerTalk members to drop by his mansion (“It’s not a mansion!”, growls jfe) in the Who Will Be The Next FlyerTalk Member To Post? An OMNI Game LIVE and In Person:ELP 3 thread.

This FlyerTalk gathering, originated through a certain OMNI forum game created by someone who is not exactly playing with a full deck of cards, if you know what I mean, has gained popularity each year. I participated in the first one, and I must say, jfe and his family are gracious hosts who prepare and serve great food.

There is plenty do to within a day’s drive of El Paso, including visiting Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands National Monument, both in New Mexico.

If you are able to do so, I would definitely recommend attending this event.

Perhaps you had better think again, according to the New York Taxi Strike, Round Two, October 22 thread.

“Excuse me, sir – would you like to have the beef, the chicken or the seafood today?”

“May I please have some of each?”

If you cannot make up your mind as to what to choose for your meal on-board an aircraft during flight, is this scenario appropriate? Are you being greedy and selfish if you ask for some of everything? Could you be denying another passenger a choice of entree? Is there anything wrong with asking for extra food on-board an aircraft during flight?

Find out in the Getting seconds for inflight meals thread.

By the way, you may read that thread as many times as you like. In fact, you may read as many FlyerTalk threads as you like. There is no limit!

Think you’ve had some bad experiences on hold a long time? Check out one poor FTer’s experience with Expedia and weep.

For general questions relating to premium mileage runs, such as how to prolong an opportunity, FT etiquette, check out this thread.

This is a good question raised by FlyerTalk member Porter2112.

If you know the answer, please reply in the What is the Record Jetway Distance? thread.