When FlyerTalk member and founder Randy Petersen sold FlyerTalk to Internet Brands greater than two years ago, FlyerTalk members had plenty of questions regarding the transaction, as demonstrated in the Q/A with Internet Brands (purchase of FlyerTalk) thread. Some FlyerTalk members even became emotional about the transaction of Randy Petersen selling FlyerTalk, his beloved baby.

One would then automatically surmise that when a FlyerTalk member publicly pleads can you buy back FlyerTalk? Please? to Randy Petersen, it would only be predictable and natural that FlyerTalk members would most certainly flood that thread with similar pleas and a tremendous public outcry, especially with the spate of technical issues which has plagued FlyerTalk in recent weeks — right?!?

Think again…

How would you feel about your entire body being exposed every time you walk through a security checkpoint?

While The Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, does not intend to strip-search passengers, it allegedly plans to eventually replace the walk-through metal detectors currently in operation at most airport security checkpoints with devices which use whole-body imaging, according to the source posted in the TSA plans to replace the walk-through metal detect with MMW thread.

Could the rights of people who do not want their naked bodies exposed via imaging, the cost of these machines, their effectiveness, and the amount of radiation exposure one could endure using these devices all be potential problems?

No, this is not a thread about sandwiches from one of the world’s largest chain restaurants.

Rather, FlyerTalk member RichardInSF hopes that the Too many subway cash cards! thread offers token advice about what to do with all of those left-over subway cash cards with small balances remaining on them from such cities as New York, London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing.

As expected, given the nature of many FlyerTalk members and their penchant for collecting such items as miles, points and vouchers, there is a side discussion developing with comparisons of one’s subway transit card collection with others…

Part of The Big Welcome – New Gold Passport Enhancements promotion by Hyatt Corporation, which is currently active, is a contest where one can win 365 free nights and 1,000,000 airline miles. However, FlyerTalk member jumpdogjump laments for the Poor, poor Canadians… who participate in this promotion, because “If a potential daily prize winner is from Canada, he/she will be required to successfully complete and submit an electronic, mathematical skills test within three (3) business days from the time the e-mail notification was sent by Sponsor before the prize will be awarded. Failure to successfully answer and submit the skill-testing question in the time specified by the Sponsor will result in the prize being forfeited and an alternate winner selected.”

Can you guess the reason why Hyatt Corporation would take what seems to be such a calculated risk in openly practicing what appears on the surface to be obvious discrimination against Canadians?

In the Hilton Sued by Starwood for new luxury brand and Starwood sues Hilton over Denizen threads, FlyerTalk members discuss the lawsuit by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. regarding the creation of the Denizen brand of hotel properties by Hilton Hotels Corporation, accusing Hilton of stealing confidential information in order to Hilton to enter the lifestyle luxury hotel market as quickly and as inexpensively as possible. How does Starwood allege that Hilton accomplished this, what is Hilton’s response, and how do FlyerTalk members feel about this? Read the aforementioned threads to find out.

FlyerTalk members are known to travel far, wide and often, but there are times when one yearns for a nice quiet meal alone without having to resort to first finding a restaurant, being seated at a table with other people nearby, waiting for your food to be served to you and, at times, paying exorbitant prices for your meal.

What does one do when one is simply Tired of eating out when on the road? FlyerTalk members offer some sage advice and useful tips — and, by the way, do not think for one minute that room service, which would appear to be the most obvious answer, is included as part of those suggestions.

FlyerTalk member and Marriott International employee Marriott Concierge wants your feedback regarding the following in the Marriott Rewards Invites Your Feedback thread:

“First, for our properties that do not have the occupancy (volume) from Gold and Platinum members to open the lounge on Sunday evening:
Would you consider a voucher for a free drink and appetizer in the hotel lounge or bar an acceptable alternative to lounge hours on Sunday Evening?

Second, we are looking at ways to improve the platinum arrival gift. We have noticed that a disproportionate number of platinum guests choose point offerings for their arrival gift. This has led us to ask the following questions:

• Rather than having to select points at check in every time, would you rather have them automatically posted to your account each visit?
  
• Are there food or beverage items we could add that would be more enticing than the points selection?
  
• Are there non-food or beverage items or amenities you would like to see added to the platinum arrival selection?”

Supposedly confession is good for the soul. Several Flyer Talkers have confessed to having missed flights by arriving late, and reported on the consequences. Have you ever missed a flight by running late? If so please share your tale in the missed flight thread.

A new thread was launched a few days ago called Alaska Pilot Q&A Thread, which stars FlyerTalk member and Alaska Airlines pilot AlaskaCoho.

However, this is by no means an original idea. The thread that inspired the Alaska Pilot Q&A Thread is the United Pilot Q&A Thread, which was launched earlier this year and is being piloted by United Airlines pilot and FlyerTalk member waterfalls123.

Here is the American Airlines version of this format: Pilot/Flight Attendant Q&A?

Geek Alert Caution: The above threads are not for the faint of heart. If you are a true die-hard fanatic about flying, these threads are for you.

Although The Gate rarely reports on threads located in the OMNI forum, buried in the Vatican to reject Caroline Kennedy as US Ambassador? thread is a bid by FlyerTalk member Gargoyle who announces his interest in being appointed the next United States ambassador to San Marino, which is a small country landlocked within eastern Italy.

If he gets the job, Gargoyle advises other FlyerTalk members to “prepare for the San Marino Do and regular San Marino Mileage Run events”.