In Memoriam
It seems to me it is becoming a subject across various threads about how our forums seems to have "changed"; I hope by starting this thread we can keep the verbiage out of other threads to keep them all on topic.
I still view our forum as a very welcoming an fun place to openly communicate our thoughts and idea.
It just seems to me that:
1. Sometimes a search would yield more information as some subject have been long discussed and much information has been complied about them - such subjects including; ways to search seat availability, Continental to Hawai'i, Business First Upgrades, ZFV - Philadelphia, and etc. Why start a new thread and piece together information when a search could reveal much more information that we may postr over a few days?
and
2. Other times a visit to continental.com or nwa.com would easily answer questions - I thought it was just sort of common sense to look at the soruce first befor trying to get third hand information - we can be wrong here somtimes - why accidentaly give the wrong information when one can easily get the most correct information directly from the source?
I don't mean to get mean with anyone, but it just seems we have lost a bit of common sense on here. I enjoy everyones contibution to our discussions and enjoy this fourm, but it seems some people feel our forum has changed - and clearly we need to talk about the situation. Open communication is the key...
-Vincent
I still view our forum as a very welcoming an fun place to openly communicate our thoughts and idea.
It just seems to me that:
1. Sometimes a search would yield more information as some subject have been long discussed and much information has been complied about them - such subjects including; ways to search seat availability, Continental to Hawai'i, Business First Upgrades, ZFV - Philadelphia, and etc. Why start a new thread and piece together information when a search could reveal much more information that we may postr over a few days?
and
2. Other times a visit to continental.com or nwa.com would easily answer questions - I thought it was just sort of common sense to look at the soruce first befor trying to get third hand information - we can be wrong here somtimes - why accidentaly give the wrong information when one can easily get the most correct information directly from the source?
I don't mean to get mean with anyone, but it just seems we have lost a bit of common sense on here. I enjoy everyones contibution to our discussions and enjoy this fourm, but it seems some people feel our forum has changed - and clearly we need to talk about the situation. Open communication is the key...
-Vincent
I was thinking about posting something along these lines yesterday, but held off. But I'd like to throw my 2 cents in.
As someone who's been a member 2 or so years, and reads several times a day, but rarely posts, things seems to have gotten a little bit hostile, especially towards people who are new to FT.
I completely understand that there are TOS for this board, and on top of those, an unwritten code of behavior. Still, it seems that some long-time members expect a lot of people who have recently joined and are still learned the ways of FT.
My theory is that if a question in a post could easily be answered by searching, or by checking continental.com, then let someone who has the time to respond to the OP do so. If it is such as waste of someone's time to read the question posted where a solution could easily be found, then it seems counter-intuitive that someone would spend the time to write a nasty response telling the OP to do a search.
I can honestly say that most that I have learned about the ways of FT I have done so by mostly lurking, and learned from the mistakes of other posters. Moreover, I have resisted posting things in the past, both here and in the MR forum, that I thought others may have found interesting (even after searching), because I did not want to be berated for my post.
The above being said, I think that this is a great community. FT is one of only two or three forums that I find to be a truly valuable resource, and I read regularly. I think that for the most part the members of this community are knowlegable, welcoming, and helpful. I hope that FT can remain this way, not only for the members with 3,000 posts, but also for the members with 3 posts.
Thanks for making FT a great environment and resource,
Mike
As someone who's been a member 2 or so years, and reads several times a day, but rarely posts, things seems to have gotten a little bit hostile, especially towards people who are new to FT.
I completely understand that there are TOS for this board, and on top of those, an unwritten code of behavior. Still, it seems that some long-time members expect a lot of people who have recently joined and are still learned the ways of FT.
My theory is that if a question in a post could easily be answered by searching, or by checking continental.com, then let someone who has the time to respond to the OP do so. If it is such as waste of someone's time to read the question posted where a solution could easily be found, then it seems counter-intuitive that someone would spend the time to write a nasty response telling the OP to do a search.
I can honestly say that most that I have learned about the ways of FT I have done so by mostly lurking, and learned from the mistakes of other posters. Moreover, I have resisted posting things in the past, both here and in the MR forum, that I thought others may have found interesting (even after searching), because I did not want to be berated for my post.
The above being said, I think that this is a great community. FT is one of only two or three forums that I find to be a truly valuable resource, and I read regularly. I think that for the most part the members of this community are knowlegable, welcoming, and helpful. I hope that FT can remain this way, not only for the members with 3,000 posts, but also for the members with 3 posts.
Thanks for making FT a great environment and resource,
Mike
Didn't you search? This topic HAS been discussed before, why not add to the existing thread from way back when.
Just kidding.
Just kidding.
Now I agree with checking co.com, or searching on the airline's website for information related to their thread question--it helps. Yet, I equate posting to the forum like calling customer service...you want to speak to a person. You can spend a great deal of time sifting through searches and other posts and still not get the answer you need from a search.
I get sick of reading through threads and seeing all of the "do a search" posts. If you've seen it before and don't care to read it, simply move on, or don't reply. Instead, they make the OP feel bad for posting. The forum should be an open place for people to ask questions about One Pass and CO without being bombarded by the "do a search" people. Many times the OP's have become sick of doing a search elsewhere and find the forum to be an easy place to simply ask and get a straight answer. I know that's why I've come here--to get personal experiences of other flyers without having to search company websites and not get the marketing department answer to everything about CO.
Has it changed? Maybe, but it's not necessarily worse off.
I get sick of reading through threads and seeing all of the "do a search" posts. If you've seen it before and don't care to read it, simply move on, or don't reply. Instead, they make the OP feel bad for posting. The forum should be an open place for people to ask questions about One Pass and CO without being bombarded by the "do a search" people. Many times the OP's have become sick of doing a search elsewhere and find the forum to be an easy place to simply ask and get a straight answer. I know that's why I've come here--to get personal experiences of other flyers without having to search company websites and not get the marketing department answer to everything about CO.
Has it changed? Maybe, but it's not necessarily worse off.
Quote:
Yes! ^ ^ ^ Right on.Originally Posted by delpreston
I get sick of reading through threads and seeing all of the "do a search" posts. If you've seen it before and don't care to read it, simply move on, or don't reply. Instead, they make the OP feel bad for posting. The forum should be an open place for people to ask questions about One Pass and CO without being bombarded by the "do a search" people.
Here are my points:
1. Telling someone to "Try a search" is not helpful in any way. The seach function can be very useful, but as others have pointed out a) it's not always easy to get the results you want and b) the info in a search result may very well be outdated. Additionally, many posters are new and wouldn't think to look (and they definitely don't think to look in the Help/Rules section before posting).
If you feel the need to direct someone to do a search, you should provide a keyword or phrase that will be helpful to the user. This has been done for me in the past, and I found it very useful.
2. The same goes for checking CO.com. It's very easy to provide a link for specific information. Many times people just don't know where to look.
3. If you feel that you don't have the time or energy to help a poster out by giving useful info, then don't reply at all. You don't have to reply to every post.
4. Because of these "Did you try a search?" posts, people have now started to preempt their posts with "I tried a search." People should not feel the need to do this.
5. You mentioned that you always have a lighthearted tone and make posts with humor. Everyone should know that tone does not translate well over the web. While some might think they were being lighthearted, others might see it as condescending.
6. I'm not trying to be rude here, but you are not the moderator of this forum. If xyzzy or umguy feel people are not searching enough before posting or not properly naming their posts, they can take action. If you are bothered enough by these posts, you should probably PM them to see what can be done. If it's really that bad, perhaps a sticky "READ BEFORE POSTING" post would be necessary, although I don't believe it is and would not want to see one here.
This is a simple FF forum where people can go to learn and share information. It's not worth getting upset over a few questions being asked multiple times or some misleading post titles.
1. Telling someone to "Try a search" is not helpful in any way. The seach function can be very useful, but as others have pointed out a) it's not always easy to get the results you want and b) the info in a search result may very well be outdated. Additionally, many posters are new and wouldn't think to look (and they definitely don't think to look in the Help/Rules section before posting).
If you feel the need to direct someone to do a search, you should provide a keyword or phrase that will be helpful to the user. This has been done for me in the past, and I found it very useful.
2. The same goes for checking CO.com. It's very easy to provide a link for specific information. Many times people just don't know where to look.
3. If you feel that you don't have the time or energy to help a poster out by giving useful info, then don't reply at all. You don't have to reply to every post.
4. Because of these "Did you try a search?" posts, people have now started to preempt their posts with "I tried a search." People should not feel the need to do this.
5. You mentioned that you always have a lighthearted tone and make posts with humor. Everyone should know that tone does not translate well over the web. While some might think they were being lighthearted, others might see it as condescending.
6. I'm not trying to be rude here, but you are not the moderator of this forum. If xyzzy or umguy feel people are not searching enough before posting or not properly naming their posts, they can take action. If you are bothered enough by these posts, you should probably PM them to see what can be done. If it's really that bad, perhaps a sticky "READ BEFORE POSTING" post would be necessary, although I don't believe it is and would not want to see one here.
This is a simple FF forum where people can go to learn and share information. It's not worth getting upset over a few questions being asked multiple times or some misleading post titles.
used to be 'Flyfarfar'
Quote:
Just kidding.
Great response, LOLOriginally Posted by anthonyanthony
Didn't you search? This topic HAS been discussed before, why not add to the existing thread from way back when.Just kidding.
Quote:
Naming no names... particularly those who post so rapidly they don't even have time to check whether what they type makes sense or is close to correctly written... Originally Posted by puddy
3. If you feel that you don't have the time or energy to help a poster out by giving useful info, then don't reply at all. You don't have to reply to every post.
In Memoriam
Quote:
Just kidding.
Originally Posted by anthonyanthony
Didn't you search? This topic HAS been discussed before, why not add to the existing thread from way back when.Just kidding.
Clearly I did and that thread was WAAAAY too old..
heh
-Vincent
Quote:
Sorry to butt in, but I strongly disagree with this statement. FT is a community, and many FTers know one another in real life and have met many great friends through FT and at FT Dos. That said, I agree that overzealous "rules" about what can and can't be posted, flaming newbies for not searching, arbitrary and unexplained actions by the PTB, etc. not only risk alienating new (or old) members of FT, but also are an attack on the fabric of a community many of us feel very strongly about.Originally Posted by puddy
This is a simple FF forum where people can go to learn and share information. It's not worth getting upset over a few questions being asked multiple times or some misleading post titles.
In Memoriam
Quote:
1. Telling someone to "Try a search" is not helpful in any way. The seach function can be very useful, but as others have pointed out a) it's not always easy to get the results you want and b) the info in a search result may very well be outdated. Additionally, many posters are new and wouldn't think to look (and they definitely don't think to look in the Help/Rules section before posting).
If you feel the need to direct someone to do a search, you should provide a keyword or phrase that will be helpful to the user. This has been done for me in the past, and I found it very useful.
2. The same goes for checking CO.com. It's very easy to provide a link for specific information. Many times people just don't know where to look.
3. If you feel that you don't have the time or energy to help a poster out by giving useful info, then don't reply at all. You don't have to reply to every post.
4. Because of these "Did you try a search?" posts, people have now started to preempt their posts with "I tried a search." People should not feel the need to do this.
5. You mentioned that you always have a lighthearted tone and make posts with humor. Everyone should know that tone does not translate well over the web. While some might think they were being lighthearted, others might see it as condescending.
6. I'm not trying to be rude here, but you are not the moderator of this forum. If xyzzy or umguy feel people are not searching enough before posting or not properly naming their posts, they can take action. If you are bothered enough by these posts, you should probably PM them to see what can be done. If it's really that bad, perhaps a sticky "READ BEFORE POSTING" post would be necessary, although I don't believe it is and would not want to see one here.
This is a simple FF forum where people can go to learn and share information. It's not worth getting upset over a few questions being asked multiple times or some misleading post titles.
On flyertalk.com there is a lil thing that says "Questions? We've Got Answers -- Whether you're new to FlyerTalk, or an FT veteran, our Help Center will answer any question you might have." then links to this - http://flyertalk.com/help/ - not knowing/ ignorance is never an excuse. Originally Posted by puddy
Here are my points:1. Telling someone to "Try a search" is not helpful in any way. The seach function can be very useful, but as others have pointed out a) it's not always easy to get the results you want and b) the info in a search result may very well be outdated. Additionally, many posters are new and wouldn't think to look (and they definitely don't think to look in the Help/Rules section before posting).
If you feel the need to direct someone to do a search, you should provide a keyword or phrase that will be helpful to the user. This has been done for me in the past, and I found it very useful.
2. The same goes for checking CO.com. It's very easy to provide a link for specific information. Many times people just don't know where to look.
3. If you feel that you don't have the time or energy to help a poster out by giving useful info, then don't reply at all. You don't have to reply to every post.
4. Because of these "Did you try a search?" posts, people have now started to preempt their posts with "I tried a search." People should not feel the need to do this.
5. You mentioned that you always have a lighthearted tone and make posts with humor. Everyone should know that tone does not translate well over the web. While some might think they were being lighthearted, others might see it as condescending.
6. I'm not trying to be rude here, but you are not the moderator of this forum. If xyzzy or umguy feel people are not searching enough before posting or not properly naming their posts, they can take action. If you are bothered enough by these posts, you should probably PM them to see what can be done. If it's really that bad, perhaps a sticky "READ BEFORE POSTING" post would be necessary, although I don't believe it is and would not want to see one here.
This is a simple FF forum where people can go to learn and share information. It's not worth getting upset over a few questions being asked multiple times or some misleading post titles.
Continental.com offers a wealth of information and as well as a decent search feature - simple phrases such as "northwest miles" brings up many webpages, but the most relevant one being listed first - a link to the portion of the site that explains Northwest Mile Earnings...
You are right I'm not a moderator, but I am still a member of this community and usually a vocal one, unless that changes, I don't feel any reason I can't help our fellow members by reminding them of rules we have in our community.
-Vincent
As a relatively new lurker and recently started posting, I can say I was a bit taken back by the curt, frequent "do a search," or "if you would have done a search" responses to recent postings. I participate in several travel boards and, even though all of them recommend a search, hands don't get slapped for frequently asked information, especially by newbies. Sometimes I wondered if some people feel this board should be used solely for communication by the "elite onepass brotherhood or sisterhood" and newcomers either fall in line or get of the way. i used to be, and still am to some degree, committed to AAdvantage. But due to recent developments at my nearest airport (Am Eagle no longer serves but Continental Exp has stepped in as an option) I've been exploring and trying to gain as much info as I can. But I have been responded to by curt answers.
An example, we are taking our first transatlantic as a family this summer on Continental and I wanted information on what to expect. After I booked my flight, a friend who works as an engineer and project manager for a major aircraft parts supplier was mildly surprised that I was booked on a 757 over the Atlantic. So naturally, I had questions. I thought I would ask those who have experienced it in this forum. Many people were helpful, but one person said "It differs from a domestic flight, as it is not domestic. It's a 757, and that doesn't differ when i'ts domestic, or international. It's a 757, and it's a 757, and it's international, and doesn't change. Get it? Think about your questions." I just wanted to say excuse me for infringing on your bad day, but I let it go.
I also want up to date info. I've done searches and found posts going back quite a few years. Things do change, so I appreciate the fresh perspective that may be missing from searched information. I'll do my search, but also allow me the opportunity to see what others think, beyond the search.
Just my humble two pesos.
An example, we are taking our first transatlantic as a family this summer on Continental and I wanted information on what to expect. After I booked my flight, a friend who works as an engineer and project manager for a major aircraft parts supplier was mildly surprised that I was booked on a 757 over the Atlantic. So naturally, I had questions. I thought I would ask those who have experienced it in this forum. Many people were helpful, but one person said "It differs from a domestic flight, as it is not domestic. It's a 757, and that doesn't differ when i'ts domestic, or international. It's a 757, and it's a 757, and it's international, and doesn't change. Get it? Think about your questions." I just wanted to say excuse me for infringing on your bad day, but I let it go.
I also want up to date info. I've done searches and found posts going back quite a few years. Things do change, so I appreciate the fresh perspective that may be missing from searched information. I'll do my search, but also allow me the opportunity to see what others think, beyond the search.
Just my humble two pesos.
In Memoriam
Quote:
Originally Posted by delpreston
Instead, they make the OP feel bad for posting.
No one should ever feel bad for posting - Perhaps if "newer posters" took time to read the rules and suggested tips in the various forums they would understand when someone says "have you tried a search" it's not meant to shut them down but just to help.
I guess everyone reading the rules at some point - esp. considering there is a link onthe main home page - is just expecting too much?
In Memoriam
Quote:
I am EWR based (as well as many of us) - don't go mistaking my New Jersey attitude for being curt with you (if i ever was or anyone from EWR has) - I love everyone just the same. Originally Posted by Copilot23
As a relatively new lurker and recently started posting, I can say I was a bit taken back by the curt, frequent "do a search," or "if you would have done a search" responses to recent postings.
-Vincent
Quote:
You are correct... it is a community, as I, myself, have met many other members. I didn't mean to imply that FlyerTalk is not an important web site and community... just meant that it's not worth getting upset if a question gets repeated a few times.Originally Posted by UAL_Rulez
Sorry to butt in, but I strongly disagree with this statement. FT is a community, and many FTers know one another in real life and have met many great friends through FT and at FT Dos.