The TripDoor met with Google yesterday through TechStars. Although the conversation was predominately technical and more in line with the interests of our Technical Director, Nathan, there were quite a few key takeaways for us common folk who don’t have the faintest understanding of "Google Gears."

One quote in particular from the talk led by Kevin Marks and Dion Almaer really hit a chord for our business: “Before you plan your business model, make sure you have a pleasure model.”

Basically, this means making sure your business pleases your users first before you worry about making money. Don’t get me wrong, I think making money is a very important component of every business, and it’s a question we ask our team each time we analyze a new opportunity or feature on the site. But I agree with the notion posed by the visiting Googlers that it shouldn’t necessarily be our primary concern. The goal of any growing company should first be ensuring they are building a company that will provide a great deal of pleasure and value for users. In applying this to our business, I think some of the tough questions we’re tackling for frequent flyers will do just that---by providing them with a way to effectively manage their online travel while focusing mainly on the pain points associated with loyalty programs.

Another valuable lesson that came out of yesterday derived from a comment made by Rick Klau of Feedburner. He pointed out that while it is clear the airline industry isn’t going away, loyalty programs are currently an inefficient market...but it would help airlines if they weren’t. So it is important for us to not only think about providing value for our users, but also providing a specific and tangible offer for the airlines. I think it's a good opportunity for us to think of the airlines collectively as another prime user of our services and to succeed at building tools that will help them offer better loyalty programs to their customers (through improved communication and more efficient usage of miles).

The holidays are upon us in the United States, and you have probably started your Thanksgiving cooking...or perhaps you have  initiated your Thanksgiving vigil in front of the TV...watching hour after hour of football.

On the other hand, you may still be EN ROUTE to your holiday destination....and if you're like me - you're desperately hoping your bags make it there with you. Airports are notoriously busy around this time of year, and accompanying all of those extra bodies is a lot of missing luggage. You know, meaningless stuff like the ring your great grandmother gave you before she passed, or the designer suit you flew all the way to Thailand for?

We hope you're not that guy. Regardless, have you ever stopped to think about what actually happens to all the stuff that doesn't get claimed at various airports around the world? Don't worry, I haven't either. But there is actually a very good answer to that question. After about 90 days of extensive tracking, airlines eventually declare the baggage unclaimed. Then they sell it through an exclusive contract to the Unclaimed Baggage Center just outside of Huntsville, Alabama.

Over a million items pass through the store annually, and it looks like you can get some screaming deals if you aren't opposed to paying for other people's losses. For instance, a Gap ladies yoga jacket set somebody back $4, while a Ralph Lauren Sweater (new) went for $25. Want a peak at some of the bizarro things they uncover while unpacking all those bags? Here's a few to get you started:

• A full suit of armor was found in a bag. It's a real replica of a 19th century original!
• Egyptian artifacts, including a mummified falcon and a shrunken head (yuck!) was found amidst scraps of paper in an old Gucci suitcase.
  
• A staff member found a live rattle snake in a piece of luggage. TSA, can you please tell me why this traveler wasn't stopped?
  

The next time I cruise through Alabama, I am clearly making a stop at this hidden gem.

Have a great Thanksgiving, and think again before you throw the pet rabbit in with your luggage because you can't bare to leave home without him......

Starting today you can rock it out Virgin style all across the US of A's friendly skies!!!!!! This is great news for my fellow yanks who appreciate a good flying experience. Richard Branson and his team has clearly figured out what is important to PEOPLE LIKE ME in the air:  food to order whenever you want from your screen, electrical outlets at every seat (no more dead laptops), a boat load of music and TV options, IM'ing with other passengers, and mood lighting (why not?)

Oh, and did I mention they're cheap too? The first route goes from SFO to JFK and LAX. SF to LA is $44 for coach and $149 for first class. NYC to LA is $129 for coach and $389 for first class.

They've got an aggressive expansion plan to include over 30 cities within the next five years. NYC to LA will launch at the end of August, and D.C., Vegas, and San Diego follow suit this fall.

18-D....u r cute. what r u doing? ttyl.