This is yet another classic BA forum thread. Let me start by saying that apart from the forum I am heavily involved with - the BA board would be my favourite.

I did my Mod training here. Love the quirkiness of the place.

And even though I don't fly BA, I still feel welcome (and far more welcome here as a peon as opposed to the silly UA board) where I do think I can contribute as someone who has been a member since 1996 and has flown 1.6M miles. I don't post on UA at all. There are too many people there who still have many, many unresolved issues with their parents.

On BA, I put the quirkiness down to the fact that a lot of you drink warm beer. Or hang out with HIDDY.

When Zol and I assumed responsibility for the Blingair board, we secretly hoped that our little sandpit would one day resemble this environment, but with a touch of tasteful bling. I've been accused more than once of the EK board being way too cliquey. Or elitest. Perhaps it is. It is not the intent.

As many have said, many of the members who have been around a while all know each other. They've met in person. They might even perhaps regard them as friends. Same here as it is on any other board.

And for all the people who love conspiracy theories, I'm sorry to disappoint you. There is no secret handshake for Mod selection. We do not get together and sit around in our y-fronts, holding hands and singing kumbaya.

In my own case, I volunteered because the Mod at the time was also the Mod for Delta and didn't fly EK. Took 6-months of persistent emails to Randy at the time to even receive a response. At the time, I was only flying Y on EK. Twice a month. Same route. Nearly tipped me right over...

As far as I am concerned, I don't want the BA board to change one bit. Even if you are all English plonkers...