Originally Posted by
jackal
I and a few other TalkBoard members have hammered out a policy/procedure document that codifies what is basically the current, unpublished practice for member handle change requests as well as provides some additional tips and guidance to new members selecting a handle.
For clarification's sake, the current practice is not unpublished. It was established (and published) by TalkBoard on Feb 10, 06 (after being approved by an 8-1 vote):
To add the following wording to the Flyertalk TOS:
"Can I change my Flyer Talk handle?
The short answer is NO. In general the handle you registered with is the one you are known by during your time in this Community. However, if for instance you started 2 years back as FargoFlyer and are now based in Tampa, we will allow you as a ONE TIME courtesy to re-register your handle. Once you have registered under that new name, you must email a FT admin to cancel the duplicate handle. Failure to do so is a violation of the Flyertalk Terms of Service as each member may only have one handle. Be warned your post count then re-starts at zero, and your "join date" will reflect the date of the new handle. And this is a strictly ONE TIME offer to members, so please think carefully before asking!"
(Note - If this motion is passed the TalkBoard recommends that a "grace" period of one month from vote closing be in place where existing members be permitted to apply for a name change. If the change is approved by Admin the existing post count and join date will not be affected. The new handle will show the previous handle immediately under the new name approved. Members availing themselves of this one month's grace period exception will have used their "ONE TIME" option by this action.)