Perhaps my perspective is way off but it seems like the "bartering" of awards and upgrades, in particular AA, seems to be on an increase.

It's bad enough that we've lost at least one AA employee/lurker that was a great resource (from flaming, misrepresentations and general lack of respect) but I'm beginning to wonder what the airlines think of the people on this board with postings that are clearly in violation of T&C of the airlines.