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As airlines hover between blue skies and black clouds, one part of the industry is grounded: frequent-flier programs.
Just ask Randy Petersen, a Colorado Springs entrepreneur who created a multi-million dollar company that teaches passengers how to understand and reap the greatest gains from airlines' frequent- flier bonus miles and upgrades.
Petersen has spent more than 19 years as, in his words, the Dr. Ruth and Dear Abby of miles. He receives 800 e-mails a day from those searching for frequent-flier guidance and estimates that his services influence half a million people a month.
His weight in the industry has been touted by the media and airline executives.
A USA Today headline proclamied: When frequent-flier guru speaks, people listen. In the story, Gordon Bethune, former CEO of Continental Airlines and the author of From Worst to First, said Petersen is like a J.D. Power and Associates poll.
Wall Street Journal Reporter James Hirsch dubbed Petersen the high priest of frequent-travel programs - who carries the same kind of clout as a Broadway theatre critic. The New York Times referred to Petersen as the world's leading expert on airline frequent-flier programs.
Petersen's expertise has opened the door for travelers looking for free family vacations, upgrades from coach to first class and networking opportunities with others impassioned by frequent-travel programs.
A slew of Web sites and a monthly magazine connect frequent- flier groupies to information--and to one another.
FlyerTalk.com, an Internet chat room for mileage...