I hate guessing at what the "logical" position is, but I will take a guess at what a logical surmise might possibly be.
First I see your opinion being that a general travel talk forum at the beginning of FT would be the best "logical" idea for most newcomers to FT.
If I was the owner of FT (which I am not) I would want the first entry into FT to be my Flagship/Premier/Numero Uno offering for what has been my "bread & butter" (Miles and Points Information.) Although we can type eloquently on how this can work that fact is that prior to moderation and especially just a few short months ago someone entering FT for the first time and going to the first forum was plunked right down into the ghetto/barrio/ramblas of FT. There were for sure some hidden jewels but one was just as likely to be waylaid in an alley or the middle of a gang fight.
When i read in this thread that the moderator has only "....a lousy 28.8Kb dial up connection .... you want to scream." I wanted to cry. Craig6z has done a superb job in the ghetto/barrio/ramblas that was MileBuzz with essentially what is only a BB gun. If ever there is a "hero" of FT award given than I for sure nominate Craig6z.