Getting back to the topic of this thread, which is the presence or absence of moderators: The "Only Randy Petersen" thread served a valuable function, that of allowing FTers to address questions to Mr. Petersen that were appropriate to plague him with. (E.g., "big picture" questions about airline programs, competition in the industry, and so on.) It got cluttered with complaints and backbiting about FT, and that clutter drowned out the good stuff.

Suggestion: reopen the forum only after a moderator is signed up who is prepared to prune and lock threads that are off-topic or that start to attract flames and bickering. Mr. Petersen's time for this non-paying endeavor is limited, and we as the beneficiaries of FT should be prepared to step in and cut down the off-topic clamor.

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"Yes, but at least mine will be found in a first class seat." -- Peattie and Taylor