JDiver

The AA forum has many more users - posts - threads, so we've attempted to contain information and prevent information fragmentation, and make it easier by using wikis to distill and present core information. The Combined forum will be significantly larger, of course:

For airports, and we actually do have some airport threads, we try to keep the posts and threads airline related. As an example, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html. These threads are curated so older information remains accessible, but is archived off to prevent huge mega-threads with lots of obsolete or less useful information.

But more general posts like "what can I do with an eight hour layover at LAX" or "how can I get to In 'n' Out burger" or "what lounge can I use at TBIT with no status or class of service entitlement" will promptly be off to the destination forum. This is probably because AA has more diffused hubs (other than DFW).

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...er-thread.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html

are other examples of threads with wikis that have useful information for getting about and connecting at AA hubs.

Information like Clubs is contained in other threads (in this instance, the LOUNGE DASHBOARD is easy to access the 84 threads dealing with Clubs, lounges at airports served by AA-US, Club membership, card access, etc. (BAEC is the busiest, largest airline forum here, and the "Dashboard" approach has been truly instrumental in making it easier to find information; I'm a fan, but don't have the skills to create the widgets and graphics. We're fortunate we could benefit from some graphical work done for us as a courtesy, but unless we can come up with one of our AA - US members with the skills and time, we'll have to continue with an organised but less graphical interface.)

IMO, where we can do better is in, say, putting together a guide post with links to information on security at various airports. For now, we'll have to discuss and decide if that's within the scope of a hub thread or separate, and if so, how.

We've been discussing how we'll attempt to handle the upcoming mixed fleet - "One system. One code." has a nice feel as a motto, but it's "One code. Pot loads of different planes and subfleets."

Soon enough, US hub threads will migrate to the Combined forum, and the resulting thread wikis will undoubtedly become more similar.for example, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-ai...e-airport.html is different from the AA airport threads above, but presents some very well organised and useful information - I suspect we'll see some of this employed in all hub airport threads going forward.

IMO, the direction for airport threads is a "Dashboard" type approach (whether it uses graphical widgets or not, and it's likely not to because of resource constraints we discovered implementing the LOUNGE DASHBOARD) with a list of hubs / major airports linking to master threads that will be a lot like the US hub threads but with maps and links - an even more user-friendly hybrid developed by the moderator team from two different fora, cultures, etc. as we come together in this "shotgun marriage" (imposed on us, but we do work fairly well as a team - and some of us have worked together on other projects such as FT projects, tragedy threads, Moderator Peer Review, Moderator Training, etc.)

The perhaps lofty goal is essentially to take the best of both fora and have a new forum based on previous best practices and tools.

All of us have goals of making the transition and new "home" forum useful, helpful, friendly and welcoming, and user-friendly for "old hands" and newbs. (And we'll all be newbs in some respect, because AApm has significantly changed some policies, and USpm members are being forced to transition to those policies - and we know the only constant is change).

If it sounds like the combined seven moderators should be able to easily handle this, in fact we're all uncompensated volunteers spread out from U.K. to throughout the U.S. with work, other volunteer and community involvements, families (new children, you name it), and of course we love to travel. We have different styles, language backgrounds (even with English - as I took my car today for some work at the local "Collision Center" I thought of the more traditional U.K. - RSA etc. "Panel Beater" ).

It has been made easier, IMO, because the many members affected have largely remained mature, understanding and positive (with the occasional rant or partisan display by a few who momentarily felt the past was much better than it perhaps really was) throughout this imposed change we have little input considered and no control over. The overall tone and effect has been outstanding, IMO and IME (part of my work was facilitating and working with employees affected by mergers or other significant changes).

I won't and don't pretend to speak for others here, but that has kept me involved and willing to put some time and effort into this. As a 60+ year AA flyer and onetime HP flyer, it's also interesting to me. Sorry to be so wordy, but these are good questions, and I think knowing the answers, albeit imperfect ones, helps prepare for our shared home. And it helps the moderation team focus on the transition as well.

Thanks!