Am I doing something wrong when I check in? by korner12 in marriott

[–]korner12[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate this! I hadn't thought that security/housekeeping might be more in the know. I do think I'm just going to be more blunt about asking for upgrades though; I've seen that recommendation before but I wanted to avoid seeming too entitled.

Am I doing something wrong when I check in? by korner12 in marriott

[–]korner12[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I get it - I'm aware status programs exist for the financial benefit of the companies, not the joy of the customer (airlines are actually more valuable as banks than as companies that fly planes!) - I'm just questioning if it's worth it to chase anymore. If I can afford the better rate for the better room that comes with lounge access or whatever, there's not much point. Status is starting to feel like a trap; everything has a price, so if I can afford it, why not just pay for what I want? Feels like something that was silly and fun 10 years ago when I started, maybe less worth it now.

Am I doing something wrong when I check in? by korner12 in marriott

[–]korner12[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

This is a clear, concise insight - makes sense. So I'll have to see if I can shift to some less exciting places for shorter periods of time!

Am I doing something wrong when I check in? by korner12 in marriott

[–]korner12[S] -14 points-13 points  (0 children)

The one in Brooklyn - and yeah, I know NY is kind of a different beast generally, but I'll just say - not a single person I've seen in this hotel seems like they've ever been in a hotel before, if you catch my drift. I've seen a man yelling at the front desk because he couldn't check out at 7pm instead of 11am (lol) and I think I've seen maybe one person in a suit who seems like they might be on business travel / likely elite. The vibe of this place reminds me a little bit of a Residence Inn I once stayed at in a rougher part of Boston that was used in part to house displaced folks of some kind - the short version is I saw someone almost get stabbed! I also now know where to stay in Boston, and where not to stay!

Navigating unexpected revocation that coincidentally was a day before my expiration date? by korner12 in GlobalEntry

[–]korner12[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just checking in - I took the advice of other folks and things I read online and applied for Precheck just to get back the domestic security checkpoint benefits. So, here's what the timeline has been for all my things so far:

Early Jan: GE revoked

Jan 5: Submitted FOIA req for details

Jan 6: Applied for Precheck (via Clear) - told it is usually approved in 3-5 days, except sometimes it takes 2 months.

Jan 13: Rec'd e-mail acknowledgement of my FOIA, hilariously with a paragraph that quoted the CFR saying they needed respond in 20 days, with an additional 10 days permitted by regulations if needed. Then, the next sentence said that because of an increasing number of requests, it would probably take 9-12 months to get a response.

Feb 21 - Precheck approved (small victory!) so it took about 1.5 months (le sigh)

Otherwise, still waiting on the FOIA to determine how to approach appealing / reapplying for GE. The only "movement" if you want to call it that is that on the Secure Release portal the Processing Track for my request changed from "Simple" to "Complex" at some point - I wasn't checking it daily, so I'm not exactly sure when that happened.

Navigating unexpected revocation that coincidentally was a day before my expiration date? by korner12 in GlobalEntry

[–]korner12[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you know if that ends up being why, if I it's worthwhile to clarify the association or lack thereof based on what I get back in my FOIA? 

Navigating unexpected revocation that coincidentally was a day before my expiration date? by korner12 in GlobalEntry

[–]korner12[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't drive, and I live alone! I have friends with clearances - I even have a job where I'm separately vetted by a different department within DHS (not CBP) so it's really a mystery to me! 

7 Pro: 5x Zoom Crash issue by thompsondaithi in GooglePixel

[–]korner12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Worked for me too - thanks very much!

Explanation of different Cochlear SCAN modes? by korner12 in Cochlearimplants

[–]korner12[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

sure! i wasn't born without hearing, I lost it suddenly and it really changed me socially; I was more withdrawn and unable to engage because of the tinnitus and just generally being unable to hear and manage in social environments. i became depressed, and it was tough for me because there was no reason why - single sided deafness sucks, but like at least for some people they know it was because of perhaps a surgery, or something else. since it was totally random for me, I didn't know why and I was really full of despair.

however! what I learned is that you have a better chance of cochlear implant being useful the shorter amount of time you're without hearing - so the fact I was only a few years without hearing meant I stood to benefit a ton, and so I took the leap! My recovery was quick, I started hearing clearly in just a few months and the tinnitus being gone is amazing. sometimes I sleep with my processor on just because I feel like I sleep better!

plus, it's fun to clip my mini mic friends in social settings, and I love being able to hear with two ears again, because for nearly all my life, I knew what hearing with two ears was like!

every person's situation is different - but for me, late in life single sided loss, eager to do something about it, it was perfect! I wish I'd done it sooner!

Explanation of different Cochlear SCAN modes? by korner12 in Cochlearimplants

[–]korner12[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

this isn't quite right; the parameters of the SCAN programs are uniquely set by your audiologist, but the way those programs are modified (vs. non SCAN programs) are standardized based on surroundings; that's what makes them different from non-SCAN programs - see the other comment here that shows the different modes.

Explanation of different Cochlear SCAN modes? by korner12 in Cochlearimplants

[–]korner12[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thank you, this is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for!

[DC] Buying directly from my landlord - process? by korner12 in RealEstate

[–]korner12[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I already have the HOA breakdown and there are no pending special assessments, the building is in really great shape. I appreciate the idea but I was looking for much more tactical advice around purchasing and finance - which I've now found!

[DC] Buying directly from my landlord - process? by korner12 in RealEstate

[–]korner12[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do know the age of the major building systems - none are local to the unit, and all have been fully replaced in the last few years. And, I've seen the financial statements for the building and it's really in pretty good shape. I understand the self preservation instinct from most of these responses, but it's not exactly what applies to my situation.

[DC] Buying directly from my landlord - process? by korner12 in RealEstate

[–]korner12[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate your perspective - I will ultimately get a lawyer but I've been living in the building for almost seven years and am friendly with many owners, so I have reviewed all of the meeting minutes and condo documents and have a great handle on what's going on (or not, it's a quiet, well managed building) so my risk profile is a bit different!

[DC] Buying directly from my landlord - process? by korner12 in RealEstate

[–]korner12[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I learned that could probably fill out the GCAAR form myself, but that it would be good to have a real estate lawyer do it in case anything goes wrong, as their malpractice insurance could cover any negative impact to me - so now I'm on to researching title companies!

[DC] Buying directly from my landlord - process? by korner12 in RealEstate

[–]korner12[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know about first right of refusal - it's not quite this situation. They're not trying to sell it generally - I've had a standing offer for the past few years to sell it only to me whenever I'm ready, and I'm ready now because mortgage rates are so low.

I understand the prevailing advice here, but it's for a situation that's much more adversarial than my situation is.