August 15, 2008
Four For Friday
Q1 - Military Baggage: Some airlines are now charging U.S. soldiers extra baggage fees to take their military kits with them as they set off for duty. Military personnel carry large, heavy kit bags containing boots, clothing and gear. In the past few months, airlines have instituted fees for all travelers ranging from $15 for one bag to $250 for a third bag. The Veterans of Foreign Wars is asking the trade group representing the nation's major airlines to encourage its members to waive fees for a third piece of luggage checked by servicemen and women. Do you think military personnel should be charged extra baggage fees?
Q2 - Opt Out: When possible, search engines like Google and Yahoo! match your search results with advertisements related to those results. Yahoo! call this "ad matching," (sometimes also called ad customization), and they do this in order to make the ads you see more relevant and useful for you. Recently, Yahoo enacted an opt-out option for users who don't want their searches to be tracked and analyzed for relevant advertisements. While the company has framed this development as a move toward transparency, choice and greater privacy, it also predicts that most users will prefer to remain seeing ads that suit their searches. What do you think? If you saw an opt out button, would you use it to remove advertisements from your search results, or do you like seeing ads alongside your searches.
Q3 - Bigfoot: At a press conference scheduled for later today in Palo Alto, California, two Georgia-based law enforcement officials are set to reveal both photographic and DNA evidence of what they claim is the captured body of Bigfoot, the alleged ape-like creature said to inhabit remote forests throughout the world. Do you believe creatures like Bigfoot exist?
Q4 - Funerals: A funeral home in Idaho is offering funeral webcasts for people who cannot attend a funeral in person. If you could not attend a funeral in person, would you watch it online.
Posted by Mikal at August 15, 2008 9:00 AM
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1- I guess I'm not sure why soldiers are flying commercial carriers to report for duty. Doesn't the military have enough resources to deploy troops with their own aircraft? If its a personal choice for the soldiers to fly commercially rather than militarily, then they should be subject to civilian regulations. If its not a personal choice, then what the hell is the military doing with all our money?
2- I can't imagine that I'd take the time to opt out, cause its pretty easy to just ignore the ads... basically a zero effort thing there.
3- I'm sure there's plenty of animal life we're not aware of, but large primates... seriously doubt it.
4- Never.
Can I attend Bigfoot's funeral webcast? Don't drink all the beer Michael!!!
1. I think it would be a good gesture for the airlines to not charge the fee; however, I don't know if I have enough information to say whether or not they should or shouldn't charge the fee. How many soldiers fly? How much does that extra weight actually cost airlines in terms of fuel? I have no idea. If the airlines don't waive the fees, I think that soldiers shouldn't have to pay the extra out of their own pocket. It should be an expense that the government (or in other words, we tax payers) should pick up for the soldiers.
2. No, I wouldn't opt out. In my opinion, this is a great case of Adam Smith's self interest serving everyone. Advertisers want me to click, and what they're advertising is often what I'm searching for. For many of my searches, I scan the sponsored results first because they're the most relevant. I don't mind people advertising to me when I'm searching for their products. It's much less annoying than things like TV commercials which push products on me that I have no interest in.
3. Not really. I think it would be neat if their press conference proves me wrong, but I'm more apt to believe in extra terrestrials than I am to believe in a hairy man-like creature who has managed to evade us for years and years.
4. Yeah, maybe. I've listened to tape recordings of eulogies from funerals I missed before, so I could see tuning in to a live webcast to pay my respects--of course, I'd like to think that if I were close enough to the person that I wanted to tune into a webcast, I would find a way to be at the funeral. Wait a minute! I just realized that I already have done this. I watched much of Gordon B. Hinckley's funeral service online.
1) I assume these flights are paid for by the military (i.e., tax payers) and are necessary. I'd prefer the tax payers get a better deal on the cost of those extra bags. Price seems quite high.
2) I wouldn't opt out. I don't mind the ads...though I may be a bit biased.
3) Seems unlikely, though possible.
4) No.
1 - Airlines have to make a buck too. I think it should be reimbursed by the military so it can add to the huge military tag that just might bankrupt the wonderful country. Remember the Alaska and Louisiana Land Purchases - both from desperate countries financing wars.
2 - I wouldn't opt out. If I did, I'd get even less relevant advertisements.
3 - Some humans look a lot like a big foot - big and hairy. I think we have some of them running wild.
4 - I'd join in and I think it would be acceptable by most of America.
1. no, I do not think that the service men and women who are fight for our country should be charged any fees. This actually upset me greatly when I heard it on the radio.
2. I don't think I would use it because I have a one track mind when it comes to searches. I don't really pay attention to ads.
3.
1. no, I do not think that the service men and women who are fight for our country should be charged any fees. This actually upset me greatly when I heard it on the radio.
2. I don't think I would use it because I have a one track mind when it comes to searches. I don't really pay attention to ads.
3. I would love it if Bigfoot was real, whoever for the size and lack of any bones or remnants of this alleged creature have yet to be found, I know it is just a myth.
4. I would watch it online. I think this a great idea since it is so expensive to travel.
1. Why can't it work like any other business? Have the military work out a deal with the airlines to get a cheaper rate or no fee for the volume they buy. Or offer a tax incentive to the airlines for waiving the fee.
2. Could care less. I never pay attention to ads or click them anyhow.
3. I met bigfoot once, so it would sadden me to know of his demise. We shared a Subway footlong and talked of simpler times without chainsaws and mouthy teenagers. To a old friend I saw, "Rest in peace. You will be missed."
4. They show people dying on the internet, so why not.
Q1 - Military Baggage: The military travelers aren't paying for those flights are they? Why should Veterans of Foreign Wars worry about it then. The Government should be covering it, and if the airlines are charging everyone, they're just trying to nickel and dime their way into staying in business.
Q2 - Opt Out: Sometimes when I'm looking for something, the organic results are garbage. So without the advertising, I can't find what I'm looking for, hence, I wouldn't opt-out.
Q3 - Bigfoot: I believe in Bigfoot because I want to believe something like that could avoid detection for so long, means the world around us is a bit wilder than we all might think.
Q4 - Funerals: I don't think I'd do it. I'd either find a way to go or just not do it.
Short answers here, longer ones posted at the link.
1. I think this is horrible, and should be covered for everyone in the service.
2. You betcha I'd opt out.
3. Dunno. Don't care, neither. (pace W.D. Fries)
4. If I could be there, I'd go. But I think it's an intriguing idea for those who simply can't be there physically.
Q1- I don't think our military personnel should have to pay for extra baggage.
Q2- I don't mind the advertising.
Q3- Sure, I don't mind having a few big-foot-like creatures running around.
Q4- I highly doubt I would do this.
1. hmm yeah what greg said, what's up with that? I thought they flew in military planes from airbase to airbase. But if they are choosing to go out of the network then well airlines are one step away from being penny stocked so...The thing is if people find that military folks get exclusions, what about disabled peeps or the like?
2. Nah, the ads are not all up in my face like those damn pop ups and roll out questionnaires. But I guess that's why they have them since we are starting to turn a blind eye to static ads (kinda like facebook's ads, no one cares)
3. Georgia would not seem like a good place to hide..full bigfoot chasers. But yeah it's probably just a myth, but a fun one to keep going, just like santa clause and the tooth fairy it's fun to tell little fantastical stories to kids, keeps them from getting too serious like us adults.
4. hmm maybe, but I don't think I would attend online if it was someone close, but then again if I hardly knew the person and watched I would feel more like a voyeur than someone paying respect.
1-I don't think that anyone should be charged those exorbitant fees, nonetheless the active duty military personnel.
2-I basically ignore the ads anyhow, so I see no need to opt out.
3-Nope, not a chance. It just seems too implausible for so many reasons.
4-I just see this as taking it too far. I have no desire to watch a funeral online. Either I'd be there or I would miss it.
1. As a traveler who used to carry SCUBA gear and other heavy items, I don't really have a problem with baggage fees, but the airlines should waive the fee as a courtesy to members of the armed forces.If they refuse, the soldier shouldn't have to pay it. The military makes them carry the gear, the military should at least reimburse them for it.
2. I probably wouldn't opt out either. As others have noted, it's easy to ignore the ads, and every once in a while, there's an ad that actually interests me. besides that, there's the fact that nothing is free. Without those ads to provide revenue, the free services we've become so used to would have no choice but to become subscription-based, and nobody really wants that, do they?
3. The logical side of me doubts it, but I want it to be true because it would be so cool if it was.
4. Oh heck no. I'm pretty much against funerals in general since they're usually a colossally expensive effort to show everyone how loved the dead person was. As such, I have no doubt that if it catches on, the mortuary would start charging a PPV fee.
1. Yeah, maybe the airlines could give military personnel a break on the third bag. Or charge it to Uncle Sam? $250 is rediculous, especially since you don't even get a free snack anymore.
2. I've noticed those ads come up with links to specific things I was searching for and I'm thinking to myself, "How does Yahoo! know I want that? Kind of creepy now that I think about it, but otherwise I don't really pay much attention to the ads. I would probably opt out if I could.
3. Sure, why wouldn't Bigfoot exist? Just like the Lochness Monster. But I can understand the skeptical thinking, especially since no actual body of a Bigfoot has actually been found and put on display as proof. There are always "pictures" of Bigfoot, but where's the physical evidence?
4. No.
Q1 - Military Baggage: Here's the thing about serving in the military. It sucks. And what do you get? You get spit on by the nation and the very government you're serving. But you serve when nobody else will because that's just how much you love your country. While the rest of the nation thinks that military service is stupid, those who do serve consider it an honor (either that or they just need the college money). When you sign on the line, you know you're entering a world of suck for the next 4-8 years or more... so suck it up and pay the fee. It's part of the honor of serving your country. I tell you what though, servicemen and women sure do appreciate their country a heckuvalot more despite all the crap they have to put up with.
Q2 - Opt Out: I'm with the majority. I actually click those babies sometimes, so I like to have them there.
Q3 - Bigfoot: I heard about this, but skipped the press conference. As much as I WANT to believe, I just don't think there is any reason to believe.
Q4 - Funerals: Man, I can not stand funerals! I think this is a cool service, but I almost certainly would not use it. If I did, it would be strictly so I could tell people, "Yeah, I was there virtually," but not have to worry about all the social stuff I got to worry about. I can get up and eat potato chips, lounge around in my underwear, and make inappropriate comments about the deceased and nobody will know.
1. If they have to fly civilian aircraft, the military should absorb the cost. If they choose to fly civilian but don't have to, they should pay the fee.
2. I don't care about all the opt-in big brother hoo-ha. We try to use search marketing to spread the word about our organization, so I say why the hell not? If you don't want to be bombarded by ads, stay home, don't watch tv, don't turn on the radio, and don't use a computer. Hmm, I know of a little cabin in the middle of nowhere in Montana that isn't being used anymore because the owner is locked up, so that may be available!
3. Whatever happened with this? Was it debunked? Was it on the cover of the National Inquirer...again?
4. That's a little weird, but that's the age of technology, eh? I'm sure it's kind of like a new pair of underwear, a little constricting at first, but then you ease right into it;)
Q1: I think military personnel should be charged extra fees only if they're obviously trying to take advantage of the airlines. Given their service to the country and (as you describe it) their unique needs to carry extra baggage, I think it's only right to give them a break.
Q2: I usually ignore the ads, so I'm not sure I would take the time to opt out. I don't think I've ever actually clicked on one of the ads.
Q3: I'm a little late to be answering this one, but no, I don't believe creatures like Bigfoot exist. I think if they did, we would have discovered one by now.
Q4: I doubt it.
Q1 - Military Baggage: As an active duty enlisted Marine, this is crap! Those of us that have taken the oath to defend those rich executives don't have any choice in the matter of the gear we have to lug around. We are paid very little for ridiculous hours, spend an average of 7 months away from our families every other year, and we have the distinct possibility of getting killed in the line of duty. We choose the life and the contract, but we don't choose to get shipped all over the US and abroad. We are given orders that should not cost us extra. We pay a high enough price, as is.
Q2 - Opt Out: I'd rather have relevant ads.
Q3 - Bigfoot: I don't believe in these creatures.
Q4 - Funerals: Wow...um...this is tough. I really don't know. I think it would depend on the person and my situation. If I absolutely could not make a close friend's funeral, then I would consider the webcast. However, I think I'd still dress up and such. It would seem irreverent not to do so.
Good thing I got this done on Thursday, since you have another on the way tomorrow.
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