What is the Point of Trip Reports?

Hello all you expert travellers and arm chair viewers.
I have a question - "What is the aim of the "TRIP REPORT"
Is it envy, love of others misfortune or good fortune, a real need to know, what do YOU get from it.
Personally, bought my own ticket, arrived airport, plane left and landed and returned safely at end of trip.
Why would you want to know about menus, food, drink, staff, upgrades, extras and so on.
Are the readers of these reports in some way desperate people.
Also, I would ask how many would report on a bad experience that would be for the airline.
So pray tell me "Waht is the Point for you?"
Steve



Edit to title of thread by mod to make topic clearer...... Nick

[fozzyo]

You could ask the very same question about online journals, and blogs. They are generally just peoples thoughts and experiences - something that a lot find interesting.

They can be very useful in finding out what to expect from a flight, what to get excited about - what to be aware of. And for me I just love hearing about other peoples experiences.

Lots of people do report back on bad experiences - and good experiences.

Hi Steve,

There are many frequent flyers here, of virgin atlantic and other airlines. If you have an upcoming trip it is always useful to know what to expect, what food will be on offer etc.

Yes, bad experiences are often reported, and this is interesting to read so we know what direction the airline is going, and what we perhaps should not be surprised to see on our next flight. Believe it or not, the people who take the time to write TR's really enjoy sharing their information and their experience with others.

If you are not a really keen flyer, or don't fly often I can understand why you would think this, but over time as your love for flying grows and your time in a community like v-flyer grows, it is just a fun thing to do. A lot of people enjoy reading TR's in their spare time.

At best I would call myself interested in the reports and at worst nosey, but never desperate.

The feedback is useful, especially when travelling to unfamiliar destinations, travelling on different aircraft types and when the menu changes.

I certainly give both positive and negative feedback in all of my TRs.

Jilly

[Neil]

I think they have many uses. For me personally, Im interested in aviation and find it interesting what other peoples flights were like, how service levels differ, and generally how my own experiences and expectations match those of others.

Also they are useful in giving tips and hints for first times VS pax, before my first VS flight I didn't know what to expect and as I was flying in PE I wanted to know what to expect and to make sure I got the most out of my flight (for my my hol starts on the a/c).

As somebody has already mentioned, you could throw the "what is the point of...." question against almost everything, forums/coronation street also football for example, men getting paid a lot of money to chase a ball around (btw I love football), whats the point.

Everybody likes different things in life, if you don't find TRs useful or interesting don't read them, but allow us who do to do so.

Neil:)

Basically because this is a forum/site designed and dedicated to Virgin Atlantic and those that have an interest in it, anyone who would regard this type of information pointless could equally be asked, what was the point of joining in the first place if the information given is of no use or interest...people who did join for no apparant reason would in my mind be "desperate".

I am slightly unsure about the motive of your question, is this your own personal view about us disguised as a question or is it just a question.

Originally posted by steve821

I have a question - "What is the aim of the "TRIP REPORT"
Is it envy, love of others misfortune or good fortune, a real need to know, what do YOU get from it.
Why would you want to know about menus, food, drink, staff, upgrades, extras and so on.

Presumably the same reason you registered on this site - information. Some people may be flying that flight soon and interested what the service has been like, etc. I find them interesting because flying (for me) is a big part of the holiday and something I look forward to.

Are the readers of these reports in some way desperate people.

Desperate for what?

Also, I would ask how many would report on a bad experience that would be for the airline.

That sentence doesn't make sense, but I'm guessing you meant do people post negative experiences on VS in their trip reports? Yes they do.

So pray tell me "Waht is the Point for you?"
Steve

I really think you could have phrased this whole post better, it comes across as a bit rude to be honest.

Originally posted by steve821
Hello all you expert travellers and arm chair viewers.
I have a question - "What is the aim of the "TRIP REPORT"
Is it envy, love of others misfortune or good fortune, a real need to know, what do YOU get from it.
Personally, bought my own ticket, arrived airport, plane left and landed and returned safely at end of trip.
Why would you want to know about menus, food, drink, staff, upgrades, extras and so on.
Are the readers of these reports in some way desperate people.
Also, I would ask how many would report on a bad experience that would be for the airline.


So pray tell me "Waht is the Point for you?"
Steve

Can i ask why you went to all the bother of registering your details on this forum? [?]

I find "Trip Report" intersting and i have posted my bad experiences & good ones too.

Perhaps you mean some people live vicariously through the trip reports of others. I think there's a certain element of truth to this, as I read TRs for classes I could never afford to destinations I could never afford. A TR is a glimpse into a world I can only aspire to.

Sometimes it's idle curiosity, others it's an interest in different airlines or products available. Sometimes I just want to see photos of toilets, and know they performed 'within acceptable limits'.

I don't think we should be taking Steve's question in the negative sense as he clearly states "What is the point for YOU". The use of the word "desperate" however does seem a little innapropriate.

I enjoy reading TR's for various reasons. Some are purely information driven, some contain photos and some (ChuckC's for example) are written with flair and tell a story of a journey.

Having been fortunate enough to have travelled in all three classes on VAA I enjoy sharing my experiences with others - especially my photographs.

Regards

John

[RichardMannion]

I read very, very few TR's. For me it doesn't really interest me too much what happened on people's flights. I will read certain people's reports due to their humour and writing style, but then that is more for entertainment value than education value.

I don't write public TR for a number of reasons as I'm not sure on the value of them, and the perception it may give. Likewise I'm not very pro on the blog-scene, especially from a corporate perspective.

Saying that I know the TR section is extremely popular here on V-Flyer and members get a lot out of reading other people's stories and experiences. For me when I visit V-Flyer, I'm lookign through certain forum sections for new topics where I may be able to help or comment, and looking at ones that are busy or I have commented on previously. For me a picture says a lot, and I like looking at some of the fabulous pictures certain members (such as J4TTL) take as I am no David Bailey at all.

Thanks,
Richard

I write them because I enjoy writing. And hopefully people enjoy my prose style. Of course, flying is an inherently interesting and complex topic: where else do you get crammed into a metal tube in close proximity to 300 other people? Where else do you run the gauntlet of the shoe carnival and the delights of the TSA? And where else do you cede so much control over your well-being to a small number of other people?

Plus trip reports give me the opportunity to be rude about other people and to pass Epicurean judgement on the in-flight food and wine. What fun!

BC

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by BlackCat
I write them because I enjoy writing. And hopefully people enjoy my prose style. Of course, flying is an inherently interesting and complex topic: where else do you get crammed into a metal tube in close proximity to 300 other people? Where else do you run the gauntlet of the shoe carnival and the delights of the TSA? And where else do you cede so much control over your well-being to a small number of other people?

Plus trip reports give me the opportunity to be rude about other people and to pass Epicurean judgement on the in-flight food and wine. What fun!

BC

Exactly why I read your TR's...

Thanks,
Richard

Originally posted by BlackCat
I write them because I enjoy writing. And hopefully people enjoy my prose style.


BC

Exactly,

I mentioned Chuck's style but the sight of a new Black Cat TR and the urge to read it is something that has occasionally made me late for work !!

Regards

John

Originally posted by BlackCat
And hopefully people enjoy my prose style.

BC

I second Richard's comment [y]

I do enjoy reading TR's and they do give me a lot of good, consolidated information about a particular trip e.g. if I'm doing LHR-JFK, I can look up a trip report for the flight(s) involved and find out about things like the Clubhouse, what to do there, inspiration for hotels / restaurants etc at my destination, what foods good / bad, tips for the flight, whether Revival's will be open upon my return etc etc etc. They're a gold mine of useful information.

Thanks,

David.

What do I get out of posting a TR!

Couple of things - firstly that I am contributing to the V-flyer community and giving back some information or detail on a flight or trip that someone else may find useful. If I am going to be going somewhere or staying somewhere or buying something then it's often useful to get the views of others who dont the same or had a similar experience - for example, when I went to Miami I waS able to get some tips about getting through the airport and immigration - and then hopefully I added to that information with my own personal experiences

And the second reason - its good to have a history of a trip that you can look back on and I find that Vflyer provides and excellent archive of what happened both in terms of words and pictures.

So tell us Steve - what's your view on Trip Reports?

I enjoy reading TR's in my experience I find that they do give a lot of good, information.

[buns]

It was the Trip Reports that originally attracted me to the V Flyer site.

As has been said, many are written in a style worthy of a paid publication (i.e. much better than you might find in an in-flight magazine[}:)]) and most, if not all, contain experiences that those intending to travel will find useful.

I for one enjoy reading all the TRs posted

buns

[honey lamb]

I Love Trip Reports - both reading them and writing them and they are my favourite part of V-Flyer. I'm of the "save the best till last" school and whenever I see a new report posted I metaphorically rub my hands with glee and leave them to the end so that I can savour every moment - and for those who apologetically preface the report with "Long", the longer the better. I delight in the turns of phrase, shake my head at the mishaps and chuckle at the amusing events posted. If I see that the author is Black Cat I quiver with anticipation as I know it is going to be good, especially with his pen portraits of fellow travellers, but there are others just as worthy. Even the humblest trip report is enjoyed as it still gives me a sense of whether or not the flight has been enjoyed and as others have said, the holiday begins on the plane - or in my case when I close the front door (having gone back the requisite 10 times to ensure the gas is turned off - and we don't even have gas!! [:0])

In writing trip reports I try to inform and entertain. It would be so easy to write a trip report I saw a few years ago on another board of a multi-segment trip which wrote "Took off, landed, took off, landed, took off, landed" but people want to know what to expect and perhaps how to deal with certain situations and perhaps find out more. For example it was through a trip report I learned about handing back luggage at MCO after clearing customs and was able to find out more so that it wasn't a shock when I went there. I learned what was acceptable and what wasn't acceptable and how to address this when things weren't quite right and I also learned that V-Flyers sometimes know more than staff, especially outsourced staff, at the airports. In return some of my experiences have indicated a change in policy/practice in VS which have helped others on future flights. And as for entertaining I look for the unusual and the quirky to report.

As for bad experiences, we have written about ill-informed and lazy staff both at the airports and on the plane; we have railed about the lousy food especially when the UC menu seemed to remain the same forever or when the GNF was introduced; we have sniped about other passengers and how they have managed to spoil flights; we have frightened each other with tales of turbulence and bad weather, BUT and it is a big BUT for the most part we have praised the friendliness and professionalism of staff in all areas and the rating for crew on trip reports is consistently high; we have praised meals which have been tasty and exceeded our expectations; we have received unexpected kindnesses (or maybe given them) to our fellow passengers; we have had smooth as glass flights and have reported and posted in wonderment and awe of the glaciers of Greenland, of approaches into Sydney or Hong Kong or London or even passing over and recognising our own homes on take-off or landing.

Trip Reports? You've just gotta love 'em!

For me like many people here it provides an outlet for our "Closet Micheal Palin tendencies".

I have long held a dream to be a travel writer. It'll probably never happen professionally, but at least the Trip Report gives us a chance to hopefully inform and entertain.

I must admit I like checking back to see if anybody has commented on my reports, just for a bit of self gratification [:I], but then again I'm sure you are all too polite to tell me directly that I ramble on endlessly about unimportant rubbish in a style that only aids insomnia.[:o)]

As a source of information I find they provide useful comparisions between companies, and provide obscure facts that can only make journeys go more smoothly.
After all, how many of us have arrived at an airport in a foriegn land, been unable to make sense of the public transport arrangements and resorted to the £100 taxi ride to get us into town? When a snippet in a TR said "Turn left at exit door 2, go to bus stop 11 and get the free hotel shuttle"!

Well that is the point for me.

Wow - What a set of responses, thank you all and of course those yet to have contributed.One has asked why I asked the question and did not fully accept my style, please there is no trap. I am an old man with time on my hands and during a moment of deep deep conversation with my partner asked
"Why do people read and write trip reports?"
Quite simple really.
Your honesty is to be applauded, the range is extreme and as has been recorded would'nt a travellers guide be great including many of the experiences in "Trip Reports".
I also have a great interest in people and what makes them tick. I adore people watching and of course face to face meetings.
To conclude this diatribe I remember being in upper not that long ago, everyone was snoozing other than me and one other, we both got up at the same time and went for the obligatory walk-about, we met head on in the dark, I said,"HI" he said, "HI" after the intros I said "Is this a holiday or business?" He replied, "Do not mention it but I am from the CAA I have to travel incognito if the airline know I am here they get all twitchy?" I am checking out what goes on in upper class.
My question to you is, "Can this be true, was he pulling my chain?"
Once again, thanks.
Steve

Can I just say that for those that actually do get exited about flying and have an upcoming flight its fantastic to just nip in to TRs to get a little boost and brighten your day a bit, especially HoneyLambs which are so interesting and she is a classy lady too;)
judging by her writing style and erm handbags, lol.

I like reading TRs as, for me, it almost enables you to be there. Also, I like seeing how other people view the service, product and also it's interesting seeing other people's more colourful interpretation of the US secutrity procedure[}:)]

VS.

[Nottingham Nick]

I too enjoy reading and writing TRs.

The obvious down side to them is that they build up your expectations. When someone reports a fantastic trip with excellent service, food and fully working IFE, you expect your trip to be the same. When your flight is only 'okay' (or worse), human nature causes you to feel really hard done by.... M&Ms anyone? [}:)]

On the other hand, when the TR is of a disastrous trip with delays, poor food, indifferent staff or .... heaven forbid, you finish up in Switzerland [8D];) - then maybe your 'okay' trip wasn't so bad after all. :D

Nick

Have to agree with Simon and Christine earlier, aside from the pure anthropological pleasure in reading about people's experiences, the sheer value to me is in education - particularly when visiting new airports in new countries. Learning about the best eating spots, what to expect from the procedures, how best to travel into the city served by such and such airport, how to transit to connecting flights. This is then extended by comments on hotels, restaurants and the like. TRs like Christine's are always so informative and useful and fun.

One huge benefit of a forum such as this is that by and large (given a dose of 'we love Virgin' salt) the reports are unblemished by commercial stain or advertising, and so reliable, honest and fair.

Then of course there's the pleasure of reading Howard Long's travels in pursuit of fine wine and Dom Perignon (just how many bottles can be consumed should become a challenge to all), plus whether the Mushroom Wellington is better than the risotto to eat on a UC to LAX. Plus the sheer joy of reading GJ's alternative comedic rants about his experiences (forgive the expression GJ, to take life with so much pleasure must be great). Although this is tilted to the J and above experience I'm also very interested in what happens further back, and whether the Virgin brand is being maintained in all classes.

Long live the TR and V-Flyer!