Originally Posted by
hobo13
Sure, and the same could be said about half the topics discussed in the United forum. Maybe UA should subpoena FT to provide the IP addresses used by everyone commenting in this thread. And then correlate those IP addresses to IP addresses used when booking tickets to match a FT handle to a MP number. Then they can just close accounts of FT members and be done with it.
Then they'll not only be getting rid of the hacksters but also all those whiny over-entitled elites too! Face it, if you read FT, you are a detriment to the interests of United, because clearly you are trying to maximize your benefits!
FT has been sort of detrimental to the airlines, much as Tripadvisor has sort of been detrimental to hotels. That said, the industry plays the game too -- on FT in this case -- because it has an interest in keeping the programs active and trying to influence the message because that is how they may try to maximize their position given the current dynamics. They also make a habit of trying to groom the boards and blogs because it suits the interests of the industry to try to do so given that is their way to try to influence the messages. Some firms even pay people to go online for them and post messages to contradict other messages that they find inconvenient to say the least, and some such posts are done without disclosure of a direct or familial material relationship with the company/companies that goes beyond being a consumer relationship.
It's a rather interesting dynamic that goes on in places like FT -- it can be rather educational and entertaining in some ways.