The results of United’s 2008 elite choice team competition are coming in and it appears that about 100 FTers have between them won 24 million United miles (plus a few other goodies) by flying lots.  With only 50 teams winning 1 million United miles each that is a fantastic collective achievement.  The 24 teams of 4 people all earned more than 350,000 additional United Mileage Plus EQMs in 2008 compared with 2007 (added over the team), with one team the Grateful Ted amassing 2.2 million EQM in 2008.  Congratulations to all the winners.  The 50-odd FT teams taking part reported over 28 million EQMs in 2008, an increase of over 17 million on their 2007 figures.

To find out more (and perhaps get some tips in case United re-runs the competition this year), check out the thread.

PS United if you are reading this, please make it open to non-Americans too.

…from being Seated next to a sick passenger on a full flight – what would you have done?

FlyerTalk member susan1260 believes that she caught a bad case of the flu as a result of sitting next to a man to her left who coughed, sneezed and hacked all the way back to Tucson on a airline flight full of passengers recently.

FlyerTalk members post their personal experiences and offer their solutions on how to help prevent this problem from happening next time.

…is not something you want to say regarding Whats a good “carry on” lunch to bring on cross country flight ?

FlyerTalk members give their recommendations as to what are ideal choices for food to bring on-board an aircraft that will withstand the rigors of travel and time and be able to pass through the security checkpoint if not purchasing the food at the airside of an airport. Some FlyerTalk members name specific places where to purchase their recommended food.

However, it is probably best advised to ignore the following “suggestions” that have already been posted:

• I like to bring aboard some stinky meals to stink up the cabin, because nobody will mind
• Fried chicken and lentil soup, with a bean burrito. I also like a nice piece of fresh durian.

I’ve come across some crazy hotel charges in my travels, but the new Holiday Inn in Baton Rouge deserves ridicule for taking it to a new level.  The charge?  How about a (compulsory) service fee for their new lobby?  What ridiculous hotel charges have you come across?

Overall, it is probable that not many people would be panting over the photographs found via a link in the Man loses pants in Vail ski lift mishap… with pics! thread, as they would not exactly sock someone with excitement.

Not only was the man in question found suspended upside down from the ski lift chair, but the photographer was also suspended — from his job, that is — for taking the picture.

I am not a man of the cloth, but I would surely bet that even though the man in question lost part of his snow skiing suit, he is contemplating winning a different kind of suit — a lawsuit.

Speaking of lawsuits, buckle up for the 240,000 dollars awarded to man forced to cover Arab T-shirt thread, which is an unrelated yet equally bizarre story.

Instead of keeping it all bottled up, let us just have FlyerTalk member heffa rattle off the deal to us in his own words as he posted them in the Conception-Minded Couples Package thread:

After tons of meetings and stress today, I needed to book an extra night here in Boston and couldn’t help laughing out loud when I found this Hilton room package. My nearby colleagues must think that I’m freaky…

Here it is, the “And Baby Makes Three” package at the Hilton Boston Logan Airport:

The Hilton Boston Logan Airport is offering the perfect package for conception-minded couples by providing everything from fantastic overnight accommodations to “The Everything Getting Pregnant Book,” sparkling wine* and chocolates, and a romantic CD to get you in “the mood.”

To book this package please call reservations at 617-968-7005.
Special Offer Dates:
Nov. 14, 2008 – Nov. 14, 2009
Rates: From 309/night USD

Anyone wants to share a room for tonight?

Will this be enough information to pacify you until you read the thread itself?

Worse yet, will anyone take heffa up on his “offer”?

On boarding a recent flight diplomatico thought he/she recognised the FA … from the safety video.  Have you flown with a famous/infamous flight attendant?

I’ve flown with a few who have been in television ads for their airline, on more than one airline.

There is a new forum on FlyerTalk which was just launched called the European Rail Travel forum, where one can discuss the intricacies of train travel in and around Europe.

If you want to know how to tie a rail-ly good time traveling on your European trip, make sure you observe the signal to switch on over to the European Rail Travel forum and track down what is posted there.

Currently FT search is not returning posts made in the past few days.  The search problems thread generally has the latest news/updates on any search issues.

If you are willing to spend approximately five minutes of your time taking a survey related to rating your experiences with the Priority Club frequent guest program, you could earn 250 Priority Club points for survey.

There is no personal information required from whomever takes the survey. Hurry, though — the 2009 Priority Club Survey – 250 points is good only until 28 February 2009.