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College Student Got 15 Million Miles By Hacking United Airlines (fortune.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the frequent-flyer dept.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Fortune: University of Georgia Tech student Ryan Pickren used to get in trouble for hacking websites -- in 2015, he hacked his college's master calendar and almost spent 15 years in prison. But now he's being rewarded for his skills. Pickren participated in United Airlines' Bug Bounty Program and earned 15 million United miles. At two cents a mile, that's about $300,000 worth. United's white hat hacking program invites computer experts to legally hack their systems, paying up to one million United miles to hackers who can reveal security flaws. At that rate, we can presume Pickren reported as many as 15 severe bugs. The only drawback to all those free miles? Taxes. Having earned $300,000 of taxable income from the Bug Bounty Program, Pickren could owe the Internal Revenue Service tens of thousands of dollars. He's not keeping all of the, though: Pickren donated five million miles to Georgia Tech. The ultimate thank-you for not pressing charges last year. In May, certified ethical hackers at Offensi.com identified a bug allowing remote code execution on one of United Airlines' sites and were rewarded with 1,000,000 Mileage Plus air miles. Instead of accepting the award themselves, they decided to distribute their air miles among three charities.

79 comments

  1. I've seen this before by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 4, Funny
    First prize is 15 million miles.

    Second prize is 30 million miles.

    --
    The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    1. Re:I've seen this before by frank_adrian314159 · · Score: 1

      It is United, after all.

      --
      That is all.
    2. Re:I've seen this before by pete6677 · · Score: 2

      It being United, I'm surprised they paid at all. They treated him WAY better than they do a paying customer who gets bumped from an overbooked flight.

    3. Re:I've seen this before by Joce640k · · Score: 1

      Is it possible to even fly 15000000 miles in a single lifetime?

      (and still have a proper life, I mean, not living in airports and eating airport food)

      --
      No sig today...
    4. Re:I've seen this before by TheRaven64 · · Score: 1
      Probably quite difficult. That said, miles probably don't mean what you think they mean. United has three categories of air miles:
      • Lifetime flight miles are the total number of miles that you've flown. These count towards your million mile status (when you get enough in this category, you get status for life).
      • Premiere qualifying miles. These are the number of miles that you've flow, with a few small tweaks, which count towards your premiere status for the next year (25K for silver, 50K for gold, and so on).
      • Award miles. These expire if you don't fly with them for a while (18 months, I think), accumulate roughly in proportion to the number of dollars you spend with them (with a multiplier for your premiere status) and can be used to buy flights, upgrades, and so on.

      I believe that this person was given 15 million award miles. That doesn't mean that he can use them to fly a million miles. For example, a transatlantic flight (around 2.5-6K miles, depending on the route) booked with award miles costs either 30K or 60K (depending on whether you want a guaranteed flight or a chance to be bumped). And you still need to pay airport taxes for the trip (likely around $100-150). If you want to upgrade to business class, I think it's another 20K miles and a $500 fee.

      That said, 15M award miles is probably enough that he'd never need to pay full price for a flight ever again. It's enough for 125 transatlantic round trips, which is a lot more than most people take in a lifetime (though some people obviously do: you can spend all of those miles without reaching million miler status).

      --
      I am TheRaven on Soylent News
    5. Re:I've seen this before by jittles · · Score: 1

      Probably quite difficult. That said, miles probably don't mean what you think they mean. United has three categories of air miles:

      • Lifetime flight miles are the total number of miles that you've flown. These count towards your million mile status (when you get enough in this category, you get status for life).
      • Premiere qualifying miles. These are the number of miles that you've flow, with a few small tweaks, which count towards your premiere status for the next year (25K for silver, 50K for gold, and so on).
      • Award miles. These expire if you don't fly with them for a while (18 months, I think), accumulate roughly in proportion to the number of dollars you spend with them (with a multiplier for your premiere status) and can be used to buy flights, upgrades, and so on.

      I believe that this person was given 15 million award miles. That doesn't mean that he can use them to fly a million miles. For example, a transatlantic flight (around 2.5-6K miles, depending on the route) booked with award miles costs either 30K or 60K (depending on whether you want a guaranteed flight or a chance to be bumped). And you still need to pay airport taxes for the trip (likely around $100-150). If you want to upgrade to business class, I think it's another 20K miles and a $500 fee.

      That said, 15M award miles is probably enough that he'd never need to pay full price for a flight ever again. It's enough for 125 transatlantic round trips, which is a lot more than most people take in a lifetime (though some people obviously do: you can spend all of those miles without reaching million miler status).

      They've definitely changed the way they allow you to use miles. I splurged on a 3 person trip to Europe, first class, and it cost me about $120 per person and around 300,000 miles total. That was in 2013. I was thinking about going to Australia for New Years and they wand 180,000 miles + $40 round trip in coach to Sydney. That's per person. The taxes and fees are surprisingly low but the mile cost is high. That being said, I had thought about going to Copenhagen with less than a month's notice and there was (surprisingly) a ton of reward seats left on the flight. $60 in taxes and 40k miles. I still haven't quite figured out how they value the miles now. It used to be a flat rate - 25k for domestic and 55k for international - assuming you got a reward seat and not a normal seat.

      As for all the hate on United... well I think their service is definitely better in 2016 than it has been in the past and I get a free upgrade to economy plus at booking. I get upgraded to first class around 30-40% of the time so I am happy to stick with them even.

    6. Re:I've seen this before by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      Probably quite difficult. That said, miles probably don't mean what you think they mean.

      Too bad they don't use a points system instead of stealing an actual measurement which sortakinda seems like it applies to something that can be measured, like miles which is an actual distance that the trip takes, but doesn't mean a damn thing in truth.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    7. Re:I've seen this before by TheRaven64 · · Score: 1

      Without multipliers, the miles correspond to the number of miles that you've travelled. If you got one mile for every mile and one mile let you buy one mile of travel, you'd never pay after your first flight.

      --
      I am TheRaven on Soylent News
    8. Re:I've seen this before by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      Without multipliers, the miles correspond to the number of miles that you've travelled. If you got one mile for every mile and one mile let you buy one mile of travel, you'd never pay after your first flight.

      I think I'll add that to my rationale for a points system.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    9. Re:I've seen this before by sabt-pestnu · · Score: 1

      You're saying:

      First prize, they send you into space.
      Second prize, they bring you back as well.

  2. Georgia Institute of Technology by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    When I read "Georgia Tech University" I throw up in my mouth. It's the Georgia Institute of Technology.

    1. Re:Georgia Institute of Technology by shadoelord · · Score: 1

      Came here to say the same thing. Georgia Institute of Technology you savages.

      --
      this is my sig, there are many like it, but this one is mine.
    2. Re:Georgia Institute of Technology by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Came here to say the same thing. Georgia Institute of Technology you savages.

      I've noticed that incorrectly naming colleges has become far more common by journalists. Or maybe not, perhaps editors are in short supply.

    3. Re: Georgia Institute of Technology by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      +1

    4. Re:Georgia Institute of Technology by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      STFU you GIT.

  3. "Instead of accepting the award" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Donating to charities is a tax writeoff, so yes, they were rewarded.

  4. "University of Georgia Tech"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Ah, c'mon, can't you tell the difference between the North Avenue Trade School and the "to heck with" one?

    1. Re:"University of Georgia Tech"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ah, c'mon, can't you tell the difference between the North Avenue Trade School and the "to heck with" one?

      It's easy to tell the difference.
      UGA graduates work the cash register and Ga Tech grads work the grill.

  5. Oh Noes!!!!!! by OzPeter · · Score: 1, Interesting

    You have to pay taxes on money you earn? Say it ain't so.

    FFS Get out of the basement and explore the real world.

    I knew a guy who said he'd happily pay a tax bill of (pinky finger to mouth) $1 Million dollars. Because that meant he had learnt a shitload more.

    --
    I am Slashdot. Are you Slashdot as well?
    1. Re:Oh Noes!!!!!! by OzPeter · · Score: 1

      He earned miles, not money. Did you read the article?

      yes .. and that is taxable income.

      --
      I am Slashdot. Are you Slashdot as well?
    2. Re:Oh Noes!!!!!! by BoogieChile · · Score: 1

      So he's able to pay his tax bill with United Miles?

    3. Re: Oh Noes!!!!!! by corychristison · · Score: 1

      The US tax system is fucked if they are considering consumer rewards points as taxable income.

    4. Re:Oh Noes!!!!!! by jezwel · · Score: 1

      Came here to ask this exact question - IMO if the taxman is going to bill in $$$ for something earned in some other form, you should be able to pay your taxes in the same form you were paid.

    5. Re:Oh Noes!!!!!! by bungo · · Score: 1

      Does anyone know how the donation would affect the tax?

      If he owes 25% (or whatever the real rate is) in tax, and he donates 33%, does that count as a write off on the tax and therefore he wouldn't have to pay anything?

      This would make the donation not totally altruistic.

      --
      "The best part? I became an ordained minister while not wearing pants." -- CleverNickName
    6. Re:Oh Noes!!!!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you win a cash prize of $300,000 then you can easily set aside $10,000 of that money for when tax time comes around.

      If you win a material prize worth $300,000 then when tax time comes you need to come up with $10,000 you may or may not have or have ever had.

      There is a clear and obvious downside to option 2, and it is perfectly acceptable to complain about it.

      No one would even consider the option of having to give away $300k in cash because you don't have the $10k in tax owed on it. Because if you have $300k, you clearly have $10k many times over.

      With a prize worth $300k, you very well may not be able to afford accepting the prize depending on your current (and unrelated) bank account balance.

    7. Re:Oh Noes!!!!!! by TheRaven64 · · Score: 1

      The US constitution requires that the government accept payment for taxes in US dollars, but it doesn't prohibit it from accepting them in another form. It's always possible that he might persuade the IRS to accept miles instead of dollars.

      --
      I am TheRaven on Soylent News
    8. Re:Oh Noes!!!!!! by hipp5 · · Score: 1

      And this is exactly what happened the first time Oprah gave away a car to everyone in the audience. All these poor people suddenly owed taxes on a $30,000 windfall, and many couldn't actually cover it. It future iterations of the giveaway Oprah learned her lesson and included payment of taxes as part of the prize. Of course, there's still the issue of insuring and doing repairs on a $30,000 car. Thankfully, here in Canada we're not taxed on winnings.

    9. Re:Oh Noes!!!!!! by parkinglot777 · · Score: 1

      He may or may not need to pay taxes depending on how they handle this transaction. The IRS FAQ said that usually the donor generally responds for the taxes, but in this case, it may not be so and he would have to pay taxes on the money's worth of the miles he received.

    10. Re: Oh Noes!!!!!! by operagost · · Score: 1

      Yes, because they have value. All prizes are taxable income. That's why you hear so often of someone winning a house or car, and having to sell it because otherwise they'd be on the hook for taxes they can't afford. Some organizations now award some cash along with the grand prizes so that they can pay the tax.

      I would prefer that there be some sort of deferral for X number of years, or when the prize is sold, for non-cash prizes. But who am I kidding? We really need to get rid of Federal direct taxes on income. There's your problem.

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    11. Re:Oh Noes!!!!!! by operagost · · Score: 1

      No donation you declare on your tax return is purely altruistic. In fact, some argue nothing is altruistic because it feels good to help. Those people are pretty frickin' cynical.

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    12. Re:Oh Noes!!!!!! by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 2

      Income taxes are some of the most regressive taxes. Period. Liberals love "Taxes" because they always want more (at least for the "rich") but the rich can avoid them, the poor don't pay them, and the middle class is stuck with them, and they are ever increasing.

      Taxes, all of them, are regressive. Income taxes are some of the most regressive taxes available.

      IMHO, if the value "earned" isn't something that has a regular (commodity) trade value, then it isn't "income" at all. Something that has no trade value at all (like Airline Miles) is of no use outside of flying that airline. You can't even use them on another airline, therefore it has not actual value (like a coupon).

      --
      Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    13. Re: Oh Noes!!!!!! by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 1

      Do "Coupons" have value?

      I would classify Promotional things like "airline miles" as nothing more than a coupon. I would love to see the IRS try and classify a Coupon as "income".

      --
      Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    14. Re:Oh Noes!!!!!! by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 1

      It is kind of like the Clintions donating some large percentage of their "charity" to the Clinton Foundation, and getting a tax write off for essentially donating to themselves. Genius!

      --
      Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    15. Re:Oh Noes!!!!!! by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 1

      It depends on the status of the winnings. If they were a "gift" you would be correct. However, since the miles were issued in response to "work", they can't be classified as a gift, but as income to the person who performed the work.

      --
      Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    16. Re:Oh Noes!!!!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And the award for the dumbest statement ever made on Slashdot (and that took some competition) goes to: "Income taxes are some of the most regressive taxes. Period."

      Let's analyze this for the lay folk:

      1) Outrageous libertarian idea that has no basis in truth posted as a fact.
      2) Demonstrably false argument within 2 minutes of reading about the subjet
      3) End with the word "Period" as though that somehow makes your nonsense right.

      Income taxes are not regressive, or progressive, or anything in a vacuum. They are not regressive if they work on a sliding scale as implemented by most societies. Just because the US doesn't count capital gains as income doesn't mean there's a problem with income tax. But I suspect you know this and are just being a douche.

    17. Re:Oh Noes!!!!!! by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 1

      Let's Analyze this for the lay folk ...

      1) Ad Homenum logical fallacy.
      2) Strawman logical Fallacy
      3) Snarky Sarcastic comment, as if that makes their nonsense right. Period

      Income taxes ARE regressive, even if they have a "Progressive" structure to them. The rich do not have ordinary income, and therefor do not pay them. The poor do not pay taxes, leaving the "middle class" stuck with the bulk of them. Progressive? Hardly.

      Taxes, all of them, retard whatever is being taxed. In this case, we are retarding income. There are plenty of examples of people doing whatever it takes to NOT go into a higher tax bracket. And if you think that 35% - 39% tax rate isn't confiscatory, you're part of the problem. "Sorry, you make too much money (arbitrary argument) so we are punishing you with a higher tax bracket! You should thank us"

      Actually, having studied Finance and Financial planning specifically, Capital Gains is not normal income, and can be largely avoided for long periods of time. Hence the Rich use this method to hide their wealth and its growth. That Million dollar painting, isn't just an art piece, it is a long term asset protection methodology.

      So, my statement is 100% accurate, even if you want to deny it (without any evidence yourself). Taxes, all of them, are regressive. The rich can avoid them, the poor don't pay them. The Middle Class pays the bulk of them. So any "Tax increase" is just another attack on the Middle class by snobby socialists and liberals who think they know how to spend your money better than you do.

      Lastly, Anonymous Cowards are more or less useless as an entire class of Slashdot commentators. There is no "history" to show how this particular AC thinks, so I only have this one post to go on. Meanwhile, you can visit my comment history to see my thoughts on just about everything, So, I suggest you go back, and find the posts where I prove that taxes, all of them, are regressive and see if you can't find the one that speaks of the Luxury tax Clinton (WJC) laid out, that nearly killed several industries, putting quite a number of workers out of jobs. Taxes do not occur in a vacuum, and the cause and effect results are always full of unintended consequences that Socialist and Liberals NEVER understand.

      --
      Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    18. Re: Oh Noes!!!!!! by corychristison · · Score: 1

      Here in Canada they always expressly state "Non transferable. No cash value.", and voila, no taxes.

    19. Re: Oh Noes!!!!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Coupons do have a value. Well, those paper ones. Whether they'll accept their value as a fraction of a cent like they state in the details, is another question.

      The airline miles have value. Whether they are truly 2 cents per mile or not, is another question. Regardless, I think it's considered an in-kind payment.

      Oh, and it's the U.S. Treasury. I think the IRS is just a middleman, a collector.

      I'm not a lawyer.

    20. Re:Oh Noes!!!!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Taxes, all of them, are regressive

      That is not true. You don't get to make up your own definitions.

      Income taxes are some of the most regressive taxes available.

      Not in the USA. The top 1% of earners pay 45% of the income taxes but have only 20-25% of the total income.
      The bottom 50% of earners pay 3% of the USA income tax on their 12% share of total USA income.

      That meets the definition of progressive tax.
      Could it be even more progressive? Yes, but that's not the question. Income tax in the USA is not a regressive tax.

      As for going back through your posts, No. I'm already familiar with your postings.
      You're usually right or make a good point, but in this case you're wrong.
      You don't get to make up your own definitions.

       

    21. Re:Oh Noes!!!!!! by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 1

      You are "correct" for values of "income" that is taxed. The rich tend to not have "ordinary" income (Income tax purposes) and much of what they hold is in "Trusts" that are taxed differently.

      All of which goes to what "definition" of is is. Income taxes are regressive, because the "Rich" do not have "income" the same way that I have income, and am taxed. They aren't paid out of a payroll, so all those additional payroll taxes aren't mentioned.

      So, I stand on my case that taxes, all of them, are regressive. Just because you don't see it the way I do, doesn't mean I am wrong ;)

      --
      Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
  6. Why no story on Tesla hack? 24 hours after by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Why no story on Tesla hack?
    http://www.pcworld.com/article...
    Video
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

    That was posted more than 24 hours ago.

    Slashdot really that afraid if EIon? Will he stop paying them?
    Shame!

    1. Re: Why no story on Tesla hack? 24 hours after by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Lol case it's not a story. If you read carefully they had access to the CAN bus. So physical access, attached a device so they could remotely control. All gloves are off once I have physical access. It's powned.

    2. Re: Why no story on Tesla hack? 24 hours after by sittingnut · · Score: 1

      you are obviously wrong, since tesla had to patch it in a hurry.
      https://it.slashdot.org/story/...

      gp's point that /. pandered to tesla seems vindicated. editors here waited until tesla patched the vulnerability to even mention it.
      when even drudge report linked to this tech story at least 36 hours before /. , we know /. is truly irrelevant.
      in contrast to such interesting relevant news, we were treated to khan of londonistan's propaganda here.
      shame! this was once a great site.

  7. The real joke in the article... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... is that United values it's miles at 2 cents a piece

  8. Duplicate from the year 2030 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "in 2015, he hacked his college's master calendar and almost spent 15 years in prison."

    Please come back in 2030.

  9. "University of Georgia Tech" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... you mean Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).

    1. Re:"University of Georgia Tech" by flopsquad · · Score: 2

      ... you mean Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).

      I know you're trying to be pedantic, AC, but TFS is referring to the actual University of Georgia Tech, in South Carolina.

      --
      Nothing posted to /. has ever been legal advice, including this.
  10. Certificate Program by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 3, Funny

    [...] certified ethical hackers at Offensi.com [...]

    Okay, who is the governing body that does this? Because I totally want a certificate that says that I am ethical.

    1. Re:Certificate Program by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You too can be an honest thief

    2. Re:Certificate Program by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'll save you the $300 or whatever certification fee they charge and tell you to just print out something on your printer that looks good.

  11. Miles donation by hcs_$reboot · · Score: 1

    If instead of miles they get real money, would they donate that much of their rewards?

    --
    Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
  12. It's Georgia Tech, not University of Georgia Tech by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    C'mon guys. This is the Aflac College Football Trivia Question every week.

    "Name the 5 FBS football schools without "University" in their official name."
    Georgia Tech
    Boston College
    Army
    Navy
    Air Force

  13. raffle held in Leaveworth for hidden acct. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    by the time you get out, I would walk 500 miles just to be...

  14. 15 years in prison by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    wow... its almost like its 2030 already..

  15. Do you really... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    want a certificate from people unethical enough to certify others as ethical?

    Except for ironic purposes, that is like going to the clergy (or hollywood, or parliament) to certify you as not a paedophile :)

  16. Well if 15 years prison wasn't bad enough by thegarbz · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm not quite sure what is worse, the threat of 15 years prison, or having to fly United.

  17. Donation offsets the taxes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's about 33%. I like this guy. (Captcha: trades)

  18. Frequent Flyer Miles... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...the next generation digital currency.

  19. From the summary... by Dread_ed · · Score: 4, Funny

    "He's not keeping all of the, though:"

    Well, I either!

    --
    When the only tool you have is a claw hammer every problem starts to look like the back of someone's skull.
  20. Basic math by Sun · · Score: 3, Informative

    paying up to one million United miles ... we can presume Pickren reported as many as 15 severe bugs

    No. If each report earns up to 1 million miles, and Pickren got 15 mil, it means he reported at least 15 severe bugs.

    Shachar

    1. Re:Basic math by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He could have reported no serious bugs and a whole load of minor bugs, yet still ended up with 15m points.

      So in that sense, we know he reported at most 15 bugs worth 1m (i.e. the serious ones).

    2. Re:Basic math by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      as it is stated in the summary, Sherlock.

  21. taxable income for limited miles? what next replay by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

    taxable income for limited miles? what next replays on pinball games count as income?

  22. Summary correction by Ubi_NL · · Score: 1

    Hi did not spend 15 years in prison
    FTFA:

    A felony offense that's punishable by a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
    This explains why he was instead accepted into a pretrial diversion program. Should Pickren successfully complete the program, the felony charge will be dismissed

    --

    If an experiment works, something has gone wrong.
  23. Re:taxable income for limited miles? what next rep by Dog-Cow · · Score: 1

    Can you transfer the retries to someone else, using a method other than leaving the machine?

  24. He did NOT "almost spent 15 years in prison" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    He almost went to court for an charge of which the longest sentence possible was 15 years in prison.

    No decent journalist would describe that as "almost spent 15 years in prison".

  25. I think he pretty much eliminated that tax issue. by sabbede · · Score: 1

    That's a $100,000 charitable donation. I'm not a CPA or tax lawyer, but I'm pretty sure that's a hefty write-off.

  26. Re:It's Georgia Tech, not University of Georgia Te by sabbede · · Score: 1

    Consider your audience dude. I'm betting that football trivia isn't a strength of most slashdotters. For example, what's FSB?

  27. No University in the Georgia Tech Name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There is no University of Georgia Tech.

    There is a Georgia Tech Institute of Technology

    There is a University of Georgia.

    Students and alums of the two schools would be rather cross if you confused the two. Most folks don't.

    Just an FYI.

  28. Re:It's Georgia Tech, not University of Georgia Te by sh00z · · Score: 1

    Well, it's not FBS. I consider myself a decent nerd, but anyone who hasn't heard that since 2006, the former NCAA Division I-A and I-AA are now called the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), must have been living under a rock.

    FSB-- Financial Stability Board? Front-side bus? Russia's Federal Security service (KGB successor)?

  29. FFS, it's not "University" of Georgia Tech by EmagGeek · · Score: 1

    For crying out loud, you'd think Slashdot editors could get correct the name of a top 10 national engineering program.

    It's "Georgia Tech," or "The Georgia Institute of Technology." It's not "Georgia Tech University," "University of Georgia Tech," "The University of Georgia at Atlanta," or "The Georgia Technological University."

    1. Re:FFS, it's not "University" of Georgia Tech by Shimbo · · Score: 1

      For crying out loud, you'd think Slashdot editors could get correct the name of a top 10 national engineering program.

      Well, you might have thought Fortune editors could get it right in the first place.

    2. Re:FFS, it's not "University" of Georgia Tech by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sure, that's how it's spelled, but it's pronounced "Yeehawvard".

  30. Re:I think he pretty much eliminated that tax issu by BigDish · · Score: 1

    That means he still has to pay income tax on $200,000

  31. Re:I think he pretty much eliminated that tax issu by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Was about to say the same. Donations only reduce your adjusted gross income and can't exceed 50% of AGI, so you can never be tax-free for the year solely from donations since your AGI will still be a positive number.

  32. Re:taxable income for limited miles? what next rep by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "tens of thousands of dollars" is peanuts!
    Here you would start with 52% income tax ($156000), when you spend the remainder, you would pay 21% sales tax ($30249), and what you don't immediately spend, you pay 1.2% ($1728) property tax each year. If that sounds enough to kill yourself, then your family would pay 40% inheritance tax over the remainder, and then they would start paying the 1.2% per year tax. And then the U.S. is calling the Netherlands a tax haven?

  33. Re:It's Georgia Tech, not University of Georgia Te by sabbede · · Score: 1

    Don't knock it till you've tried it. Rocks make great insulators and don't wear out like roofs do.

  34. Re:I think he pretty much eliminated that tax issu by sabbede · · Score: 1

    Well, I did say I wasn't an accountant...