I think there are 4 issues with Errors and Loopholes at play here:

Sharing The Info

I think all deals should be published on FlyerTalk to get as broad an audience as possible. I believe "lists" are counter to the community spirit of FlyerTalk. I recognize that many folks are into it just for themselves and would do anything to prevent a company from finding out about an error or closing a loophole. Lists may be good for them. But lists limit the amount of folks that can be made aware of and take advantage of some deals.

What Am I Doing?

Am I taking advantage of an error or jumping on some legit deal? I usually shoot first and ask questions later as the deal may turn out to be legit or honored. But if I went into the deal knowing that it might be an error (as many threads annoucing such deals usually clearly state), then I wouldn't complain if it ended up being an error and I was told they wouldn't honor the error. I don't notify them if I think it's an error, but I also don't hide in the shawdows, crawling about like I know I'm doing something wrong. I also don't alter my normal behaviour in order to deliberatly perpetuate what might be an error. I assume the deal is legit and act normally with respect to dealing with the company.

Should They Close Loopholes?

I think yes. Loopholes are usually unfair to other travelers. Almost always they are unfair to the company. As I take advantage of some loopholes at United, I know full well that I am depriving other 1Ks, Premier Executives and Premiers of legitimate opportunities that they should have. And other times I know that I am getting additional services that United did not intend for me to have. I can rationalize and "justify" my actions in my head any way I want (Oh, this just makes up for the crappy video I had last week), but the fact is I know it isn't right. But loopholes are there and I tend to take advantage of the ones that aren't criminal in my mind.

Should The Companies Be Made Aware Of Loopholes?

Not by me. As Sherlock Holmes once said when asked why he was not notifing the police of some minor crime he stumbled across while investigating a different matter: "I am not retained by the police to supply their deficiencies." But I will say that it's been my surprising experience that most companies are already very aware of that the loopholes exist! Sometimes they don't close them because of the hidden (nonpublished if you will) benefit they provide, other times they don't close them for technical reasons that they don't feel the cost to close them is worth. And still other times they don't really care if a few folks take advantage of the system.

I'll end by saying I don't like "lists" for another reason, especially in regards to error fares and rates. I think they presuppose by their very purpose for being, to keep companies from "finding out" and that the participants know or at least suspect that the deal is in error, and are knowingly, willingly and consciencely trying to perpetuate the error. In other words, I think it's one thing to take advantage of an error (because it may not turn out to be one), but another thing entirely to try to do everything possible to perpetuate that error.

These are just my own opinions and those that allow me to look at myself in the mirror and say I've not crossed the line with my own personal ethical standards.

[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited 08-05-2002).]