I'm an advocate (and frequent vocal proponent) of the "search" function. I almost invariably do the search using very simple terms that come from the OPs title or post to show just how easy it is (recent example- post about the "new" upgrade copay for AA flights to Hawaii where the OP said that search did not find anything....guess what, search terms "upgrade hawaii" brought up a 187-post thread from several weeks ago with much information).

Sure, we could answer the questions each and every time. Then, when someone actually does try to look for themselves, and not just expect everyone else to do their work for them, they find a few dozen really short, almost useless threads. Why is fragmenting the information a good thing? Clearly, it must be since not advocating searach is directly inviting that.

I'd be interested to hear how those who just answer without suggesting search feel that this distribution of the same information in a larger number of threads helps, because I just don't get it.

Cheers.