Is This Asking Too Much for a Photo?

[Iberia A340-600]

Last year I was contacted by a Northwest employee who wanted to use my photo as a poster in the lobby in their flight training facility. I graciously said yes. There was no payment involved and some on here thought that payment should have been involved and that I was cheated in a way.

The employee said anytime I was out at DTW or MSP he would gladly set up a tour for me of the facility.

I was thinking of writing him again and asking if it was not too much to ask to set me up with flights from New York to Detroit so I could visit the center and also meet up with Matt.

Any thoughts? Is asking for free flights too much?

After all they are an airline, right?

[T-Bird76]

You can ask but that doesn't mean he's in a position to fly you out for free. A tour is one thing because it seems within his power. However it doesn't hurt to ask, the worst he can say is "no." Go for it.

[nwafan20]

Pfft, meet up with me, fun times! :D

If not, you can still get a good deal via NK or NW.

[Iberia A340-600]

Thanks Tommy for the advice.

Here is the letter I wrote:

Dear Paul,

I hope all is well and life at Northwest is treating you well.

I am writing you at this time because I have been doing my summer planning and was talking to my friend in Detroit, who is very much into Northwest and aviation, and he suggested that I come and visit him for a week in August and we could go spotting at DTW. I then remembered are last conversation about it being possible to set up a tour anytime I am out that way. Another thing popped up in my mind during this conversation. It came to my attention a little while after our talks that usually when an airline asks permission or uses a photo from a photographer that there is some sort of compensation involved. In no way whatsoever am I asking for money or anything and I am still extremely grateful that you chose my photo. However I thought I could ask if it was possible if you could set me up or bring me out to Detroit for a couple of days in August with Northwest from New York as a form of compensation. I understand that you may not be in the position to do this but I thought it worth asking.

Thank you very much for your time and I hope all is well,

Sincerely

Gordon A. Gebert JR

[Iberia A340-600]

Well I got an automatic response saying he won't be back in the office till Wednesday so I guess I'll have to wait a couple of days for a response. At least this means he still works for Northwest!

[nwafan20]

lol, no layoffs yet! lol

[T-Bird76]

Good letter Gordon, professional and to the point. One suggestion if he says he can't fly you out but you still decide to go make sure you confirm that tour is still available to you.

[Midnight Mike]

That is certainly a reasonable request, Northwest can always send you a pass, which does not cost them any money.

If they will not send you a pass/ticket, I would ask if they can add a sign under the photo, that the photo was donated by you.

[T-Bird76]

Did you get an answer yet Gordon?

[Iberia A340-600]

Did you get an answer yet Gordon?

I did indeed get a response yesterday which was slightly saddening but I wasn't expecting much:

Gordon,

Thanks for the message. It sounds like life is treating you well.

I am no longer in the training dept. with NWA. I think your pic is still up in the training area where I originally placed it. Alot of people love your pic and have asked about it.

I'm not in a position to be able to fly you on a NWA flight. I wish I could, however it isn't possible.

I encourage you to continue with your love for aviation and hopefully become apart of it at some point in your life.

Have a great up-coming summer!

Paul

[T-Bird76]

[quote=Iberia A340-600]

Did you get an answer yet Gordon?

I did indeed get a response yesterday which was slightly saddening but I wasn't expecting much:

Gordon,

Thanks for the message. It sounds like life is treating you well.

I am no longer in the training dept. with NWA. I think your pic is still up in the training area where I originally placed it. Alot of people love your pic and have asked about it.

I'm not in a position to be able to fly you on a NWA flight. I wish I could, however it isn't possible.

I encourage you to continue with your love for aviation and hopefully become apart of it at some point in your life.

Have a great up-coming summer!

Paul

[/quote:c797e]

What a scam! That sucks. Send them a bill now Gordon. LOL

[NIKV69]

What a scam! That sucks

Yep sure does. Sounds like he had no power to give you any flight. You should have asked him for money at the beginning.