Looking Rich

[boont]

Later this month I'm going to be taking a private jet across the country. It belongs to a billionaire and I will be traveling with a few other acquaintances whose last names are stamped on some of the most famous products in America.

We all belong to an organization that they support with funding, and that I support with good will.

This is a fun story to tell... except. It is very easy for people to get the wrong impression. I told my wife I was looking to find a few people I could tell the story to. What fun is it if I can't tell anyone?

There is one guy in particular I want to try it out on. When every we meet we talk business. He is a very good business man. When we talk we are competitive, at least, according to my wife.

So I decided I'm not going to bring this special flight up. Except, I think I should be allowed to at least mention to him that I am flying to New York next Thursday.

My guess is, when I state this, he is going to launch into a discussion on the difficulties of airline travel, currently.

I then feel it is going to be fair to say, "Well, no, because I will be traveling on the **** family's private jet.

Of course my spoil sport wife then said, "That's a trap."

Well, it may be but I want to have some fun anyway. Is this a trap?

boont

[rogersteciak]

If you are in a playful mood, you could follow through with your idea and then say you can't wait until you take delivery of your own private luxery jet so that you don't have to fly on the **** family's private jet anymore: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid203719194/bclid132209461/bctid1493704379

[Texas Proud]

Yes it is..... but sometimes it is FUN anyhow....

Let me give an example... My company was paying for me to have an apartment in Manhattan... but, then they wanted me to go back to London for a couple of months to do a cost analysis... and I still had my own house in Houston...

The company flies you 'business class' which is first class on some airlines... there was this jerk that was talking about how 'important' he was and it got kind of tired... So I had to throw it that I had an apartment in the high rent district of London, Manhattan and had just went down to 'vacation' at my house in Houston... kind of shut him up... it was fun...

To bad it was 'not mine'... but who cares about facts

[Rambler]

Sometimes those of us who are normally humble LBYMers do actually end up working in high positions and with acquaintances who are "high society" or pretend to be. When the pretenders come out, sometimes it becomes irresistable to toss your hat in the ring. That's when I toss in the flights with my multibillionaire CEO (my boss) on his private jets, a variety of stays at some of his interesting private venues, or my two "vacation" homes (yeah, right , I only get to see them when I'm on vacation) in California etc.

Anyway, I don't think it is much of a trap...especially if he is one of the pretenders. Even if he is not, I don't think it would harm anything to toss that out. Flying on a billionaire's (or otherwise) private jet is an experience that is interesting, unique, and something that is a fun topic for conversation.

R

[donheff]

It is such a unique experience that you can't help talking about it (obvious lead in to here we go ). Back in 2000 I flew down to Cape Kennedy for a shuttle launch on a big NASA Gulfstream with the Administrator and the lead scientist for the flight. Flew back on a smaller NASA jet. Both trips were once in a life time events for an average Joe like me. I kept photos and (obviously) still talk about it.

[W2R]

Yes, it's a trap!

Be sure to take a camera and take lots of photos. That may not seem too graceful, but as DonHeff said, this is an experience that you will remember for years! See if you can get someone to take at least one photo showing you on the jet, and one showing you standing in front of it, too.

[socca]

Folks who buy fancy cars because they believe that they are showing off their wealth are actually showing off their poverty - of character. Don't forget the Elizabethan saying : "An ass is still an ass although laden with gold."

[unclemick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by socca Folks who buy fancy cars because they believe that they are showing off their wealth are actually showing off their poverty - of character. Don't forget the Elizabethan saying : "An ass is still an ass although laden with gold."

Rats! I was going to mention possibly shopping for Carhartt Brown Quilt-
Lined Duck Bib Overalls but you burst my bubble.

.

heh heh heh - I'm am prone to brag a little - inclined to toss that in with my male hormone/individual stock theory, but i have to think about it.

[Walt34]

Not a trap. Have a fun trip.

As the others suggested take pictures.

[HFWR]

Well, I met a guy who knew someone's second cousin's brother-in-law whose neighbor once had a Big Mac several days after Brittany had driven by that McDonald's...

Top that!

[Jarhead*]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFWR Well, I met a guy who knew someone's second cousin's brother-in-law whose neighbor once had a Big Mac several days after Brittany had driven by that McDonald's... Top that!

That's impressive. (Can't top that one).

But just for the flow of conversation, I remember in l961, single at the time, driving to Vegas in a $l,000.00 car and coming back home in a
$89,000 Greyhound.

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarhead* I remember in l961, single at the time, driving to Vegas in a $l,000.00 car and coming back home in a $89,000 Greyhound.

Just for the sake of further conversation, I'll bet you were "chauffeured" on your ride home and didn't even have to do your own driving!

[Gumby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire Yes, it's a trap! Be sure to take a camera and take lots of photos. That may not seem too graceful, but as DonHeff said, this is an experience that you will remember for years! See if you can get someone to take at least one photo showing you on the jet, and one showing you standing in front of it, too.

I have to respectfully disagree with the photos. A phrase that has been attributed to many college football coaches, including Joe Paterno and Darrell Royal, seems apt for the occasion:

"When you get to the end zone, act like you've been there before."

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boont What fun is it if I can't tell anyone?

The real fun lies in either doing your own flying (like Philip Greenspun) or else staggering onboard, nodding to everyone before muttering "Man, what a night", and sleeping the whole way...

[cantlogin]

It isn’t a trap. It’s a strategically orchestrated conversation.
The coincidence here for me is that I had a similar conversation a few days ago with a friend who told me about is ride home from Vegas on his friends charter. It’s nice to be able to be agreeable and say “yeah, I know what you mean”.

[Jarhead*]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo Just for the sake of further conversation, I'll bet you were "chauffeured" on your ride home and didn't even have to do your own driving!

No doubt about it, a nice benifit. (Leave the driving to them).

Just make sure that there;'s not an empty seat next to you when the new passenger shows up with a wire cage full of live chickens looking for a spot to settle in.

[youbet]

Nothing like listening to the fantacies reading the posts of LBYM types who would like to, just that one time, live like the spenders!

[clifp]

Go for it. Hey who doesn't brag when you get bumped to first class...
My best friends, brother is a famous and rich architect, they alway brag about the over the top spending that his brother arranges when they visit him.

[Alan]

Have fun, and enjoy your bragging rights.

I had to fly to Mumbai last year (business class) and just before take-off on the 17 hr leg of the journey the flight attendant stumbled and tipped a tray full of champagne and orange juice all over me. She was devastated but I thought it was hilarious and could already envision being able drop this titbit of information into conversations....

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by youbet Nothing like listening to the fantacies reading the posts of LBYM types who would like to, just that one time, live like the spenders!

Are we still talking about Greyhound chauffeurs and cages of live chickens?