As a relatively new member with a low post total compared to some, I think that the current thresholds for access to CC are actually too LOW. It took me almost a year of lurking to really get to the point where I felt that I could start adding value to other members in the course of the discussions and not just chime in saying "me too" as so many folks do. If I were Randy, I would make the minimum membership time at least 1 year for access to CC.

Do you and tom911 have anyone in particular in mind?

I've been on this board for quite some time and overall the members here are terrific but I can understand the previous posts about not feeling comfortable asking a question. I've seen the flame wars between members in the past. That has seemed to subside thanffully I would visit the chat and for a newbie or even someone like myself it is difficult to engage in a conversation of any quality. Alot of the FT'er's here are friends and the newbies are outside that circle or you don't travel on a regular basis like some. I can recall in my earlier days thinking wondering what all the acronyms meant! Yes, I was shy to ask because I didn't want to sound dumb.

As far as posting, I personally don't post for the mere reason of posting. My useless comments of "I agree" or "I'd do the same thing" adds little or no value and just expands the thread. Ever try to read a thread that has a significant amount of replies, pages of them? It's cumbersome and time consuming and I prefer not to add to it unless I can contribute something new that would be beneficial. Therefore, I read and lately helping another FT with their travel plans. When I have a question or can contribute, then I post.

This site is awesome, so if you can't get into the CC it's not so horrible as you have the entire content of this site with an extreme amount of valuable information. I can't begin to tell you how much I've benefited from this site.

I refer so many people here and what I have learned about FF miles has spiked the interest of so many others to also get involved in gathering miles. Randy was the one who helped me years ago get two 25K bonus miles from AA and I truly appreciated his help! Again, thank you Randy!

FWIW, I'm new to FT, so I don't have access to CC yet. However, being a senior member of some other boards, I can definitely appreciate the concept of making CC available to more established members only. Even though I'm personally on th losing end of this policy right now, I think it's a good idea.

Rosemarie-
Your post was very well written, and I can certainly understand where you are coming from.
However, I must disagree with the above portion of your post.
If I'm asking the board's opinion, I would like to see a large number of posts - the bigger the group, the more accurate the data. If only one person posts an opinion and nobody backs it up, then that isn't really very comforting.

When people tell a story of something that happened or how they reacted, they want people to post things like "I would've done the same thing," or "I agree with you."

Just my $0.02

Those are a very valuable $0.02.

In relation to an industry where experiences vary -- i.e., inconsistent application of rules, no rules, changing rules, etc. -- some of us have come to realize the phrase YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary) rightfully gets a lot of mileage on FT (especially when the objective is to get good service and/or for the outcome to be more predictable or desirable). People saying "same here" definitely provides me with potentially more data points to: a) determine if there's a rule; b) if the rule is consistent; and/or c) how/when to attempt a "workaround" when the outcome is not consistent or amenable. Given the nature of the internet (and the world at large), corroborating evidence (and/or opinions) can help lead to more accurate descriptions (and/or functioning conclusions).

G_leyser, I can see your point of view and perhaps my example wasn't the best. Surely if a member of the board was seeking information as it pertains to a policy, procedure, or to a specific situation then I would post. It's the questions such as "What's the best mileage cc?" and my opinion is that the Starwood Amex or Citibank Aadvantage is the best but it's already been posted twenty times by other members then I don't see the value I can add. IF theres a specific benefit or feature of a particular card that has not been addressed then I would add to the thread. Another example, if there was a significant worldwide event and it's already been posted then for me to mimic the other posts is not beneficial. Perhaps that might be a better example.

I think GUwonder's post sums it up pretty well as to when I personally would post or not.

Fair enough

I lost my CC access too.
I just don't like throwing my 2 cents in just to bulk the posts.
I guess I'll start posting more deals I find - its kinda hard though seems like a deal that is no older than 2 minutes in your mail box has already been posted with the link and everything.
I guess I better try harder or get faster!

As you can see, I have been a member for several years; however, I only have a handful of posts. I did post once on cc--with no results, sadly. I have just lost my access to cc. I am trying to actually post some--which I suppose is good for me, although it is usually a challenge to think of something to add which may actually be useful. I'm not a super-fabulous-extraordinary-double-triple-platinum-titanium-elite in anything. I do really value the information I get from Flyertalk. It's made a good difference to me many times. I can't see the harm in easier access to all forums. OMNI isn't usually of much interest to me, but still. . . . I suppose I'll get there sooner or later.

Much thanks to all who contribute.

As a member of Flyertalk for about a year, I have learned much concerning the traveling game. I have had more question than answers, but I think that would be normal. I also enjoyed getting and recieving items through coupon connection through trades. I enjoyed this as a legal bartering system rather than the Ebay money swap. Unfortunately, I will no longer be able to participate unless I start cranking up postings. Serial postings to get to a magic numbers does no one any favor.

I cannot come up with a valid reason for denying CC access to an infrequent poster with multi-year participation in FT. Have there been instances when such posters have caused problems? From what I have read, this general group is NOT it.

Randy's comments on the matter seem to center on one's participation within the community, and not length of time as a member.

So someone who joined on Day One, and has a dozen posts to their name, will not have access to someone who joined last month, and has hundreds of useful, topical posts to their name, does.

I take it that the posts is 100 or is this not true?

Not true!