Merely devalued.

This isn't the place to debate that proposal. I do appreciate the one that's under consideration in this thread. If, in fact, the TB believes that the FT community values flying and travel discussion over other kinds of discussions, then TB qualifications with respect to flying and travel are clearly relevant.

As an example, I moderate a subforum on legal issues for videographers over at dvinfo.net. I was invited to do it because I'm (1) a lawyer who, (2) is heavily into video, i.e. I'm qualified. Shouldn't those who serve in an advisory position to a website in which discussion of flying and travel is valued over other kinds of discussion have the appropriate credentials?

I don't think mere membership in FF programs is enough. I have a slew of FF cards from foreign airlines I flew once, but that doesn't mean I have much knowledge or experience of them. I also don't think miles earned is a good criterion, since so many people get them through non-flying activities. Similarly, elite status can be gifted, bought or assigned by an employer.

I think we need to go by BIS miles, and should probably require that they be earned on a minimum number of different carriers -- after all, someone who flies exclusively on WN isn't going to have much to say about UA's program, and vice versa. Also, international travel is a whole different ballgame than domestic and, of course, we have FTers from many different countries. I'd think we'd have to require, at minimum, travel in every continent plus Australia (though excluding Antarctica -- I don't think there's a commercial airport there).

Yes, I like this proposal. I'd suggest a minimum of 75,000 BIS miles, earned on no fewer than three different carriers (with at least 5 segments on each of the three), touching all continents (except Antartica) and Australia at least once within a 12 month period. FF statements and/or boarding passes should suffice. Then, let's add to that 50 hotel nights in at least 5 different hotels (2 of which must be part of different international chains) in every continent (except Antarctica -- no public accommodation there, as far as I know) but, of course, including Australia.

Hey, this is fun!