Thanks to a question by GregL, the ethics of taking flights just for the purpose of earning mileage during a time of massive disruption (eg American Airlines grounding of their MD-80/88 fleet) are being debated here.  Would you do it?  Think of the miles and possibly bump vouchers.  Think again of the fellow travellers who are stranded somewhere.  What would you do and why?

What would prompt a passenger at a security checkpoint to say “You’re Free to Go” to a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer? Why are some FlyerTalk members laughing hysterically and calling FliesWay2Much their hero? What happened after that comment was made?

Find out in the Wallet Search thread. You have to read it to believe it.

While you are there reading that thread, find out whether or not a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer has a right to search through your wallet, and what measures you can take to help prevent this practice from happening to you.

You may have noticed that I have not posted anything in The Gate for the past few days. This is because I was unable to access FlyerTalk from two Hampton Inn properties at which I stayed this past week.

Hampton Inn is a brand of the Hilton family of hotels. I was able to access any other Internet web site that I chose from each Hampton Inn property – including The Gate – but I was unable to access FlyerTalk at all.

I had a fellow Senior Moderator of FlyerTalk attempt to assist me via e-mail to access FlyerTalk, but to no avail.

Is Hilton attempting to block access to FlyerTalk, or is there another reason why FlyerTalk members cannot access FlyerTalk from Hilton family properties?

For more information about why I was unable to access FlyerTalk from Hilton family hotel properties, as well as solutions that were offered to circumvent this issue, please see the Hilton blocking FlyerTalk?? thread. If you have your own issues and experiences that you would like to share – or, better yet, if you have a better solution to this issue – please post in this thread.

By the way, the solutions currently posted in this thread did not work for me.

FlyerTalk member Dovster has decided that the SkyMiles frequent flier program of Delta Air Lines needs to be completely overhauled.

His plan includes the elimination of SkyMiles miles as currency, to be replaced with Delta Dollars, which are currently given to passengers as compensation for certain flight itinerary interruptions. The current elite qualification miles system would basically remain in place.

Details of how Dovster envisions the overhaul of the SkyMiles frequent flier program – as well as reaction to his plan from fellow FlyerTalk members – can be found in the Time for a complete makeover of SkyMiles thread.

daveinsf asks if it is reasonable to expect to be able to change a mistake fare.  Some rather interesting viewpoints in the discussion.  What do you think?

For a limited time, when you stay at a Hilton Hotels Family property for two or more nights, you may earn bonus Delta Air Lines SkyMiles as well as bonus Medallion Qualification Miles.

Please see the HHonors/Delta Offer- 1000 bonus miles, 1000 MQM’s and Hilton Chain bonus, 1000 MQM + 1000 Bonus per stay threads for more information, including the terms and conditions of this special offer, as well as when the promotion ends.

The Indianapolis, Indiana-based airline formerly known as American Trans Air went out of business today 35 years after it was founded and one day after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Why did ATA Airlines go out of business? What are the contingency plans for its customers? Was this situation handled well?

Please read the ATA Airlines Out Of Business thread for additional information and comments from fellow FlyerTalk members.

Only on Flyer Talk would some one ask which award zone Mongolia is in, and not only expect the answer but get it.