I can't hold out any longer here. The issue is too good. Nick, I wrote the story on Online Service problems. HAving reread it, I suppose it could be said that BA recieved a disprportionate amount of bad ink in comparison to United, when the truth is they both have real problems. As for your claim that we basically pat programs on the back, I don't think that's true. The question of whether we at insideFlyer should be consumer advocates first and foremost is a big, big item of debate around here. There are some differences of opinion. But neither are we merely voiceboxes for the programs. I know that TWA, for instance, credits/blames us for their decision to extend the window for the redemption of equity miles unitl the end of this year. Randy was at the front of the movement to bring changes in the Aviators program. I personally spoke with many readers who thanked me for my/our efforts in doing so. This is only one of the recent (and more public) instances of advocacy.

Havong said that, we do not do nearly enough in the area of consumer advocacy, in my opinion. But my opinion is not nearly the only one that matters here, and I can respect that. So to answer the question (from my vantage): no, Nick, David, Matt and the others who've asked, we are not PRIMARILY a consumer advocate. It is one of the roles we try to fulfill, however. There's no doubt we've positioned ourselves in a way that can bring charges of conflict of interest. I don't think those charges are necessarily unfair or inaccurate, either. What I'm saying is: it's not black and white. We're not straightforwardly consumer advocates, but neither are we simply program shills.

I want to comment on the United survey thing, too, but I'll leave it for now and pick it up when i have another few moments.