I have never volunteered to be a moderator because my free-time schedule is too erratic.

However, one available tool that might solve this problem, but which has been seldom used by most moderators, is that of merging "duplicate" threads into an earlier on-point thread.

The reason we don't use it is because it does exactly that; it merges them AND puts the posts in order of date. That makes a very messy thread, replies to a post are suddenly out of sync and many members might not even bother to read the thread when they see the initial post; the date might be months in the past.

I am on the side of those who think some *W threads are pulled too quickly.
And, I won't express my "love" of mods here since I want this to be focused on the subject at hand ;)

We do occasionally do that. And I've been doing it more frequently lately.

However, often we do not because there is enough of a "twist" in the new thread posted or the old thread is too dated. As it is, you could claim that all threads in a forum (or much of FT for that matter) relate so we should have one giant thread.

Also, especially in the busier forums, we simply do not have the time to do a search on the subject of every new thread posted. Although there are a few members who seem to specialize in admonishing posters to do a search.

When I merge threads that may not flow very smoothly after the merge, I always add a note saying that the threads were merged without editing so the flow may not be real smooth.

I have seen you do that in the Hyatt forum - I think this is helpful, especially if one has not read the threads before they were merged ^.

BoSoxFan45:
We start this formal reply with your statement: I feel this forum is overmoderated in that threads are frequently locked for no good reason, or orbitrary reasons. Sometimes it appears the reason is jsut to lock the thread.

My thoughts on this topic of over-moderation is often that just like the emotions that many members have over their miles and points, members as well use emotion to make statements similar to yours. But that does not mean that the charge is unfounded. My approach is a reasonable one – I’ll use facts, and only facts to review your concern.

So today, I was in around 4 a.m. and have put roughly 5 1/2 hours into researching this. At my current billable rate for consulting, you owe me $2,406. OK, I’ll take an IOU against your future posts… Now, I did receive a few emails from both members and Moderators warning me that this was probably not a good idea to allow any exception to the practice of limiting dialog about moderators on FlyerTalk – a practice as noted that is followed by most if not all leading travel-related bulletin boards. Certainly there is a risk because you may well be proven to be correct, I don’t know at this point. But for those who approach me with a reasonable tone on things, I think you’ll find that I listen to my instinct and can hopefully be and appear to be quite reasonable.

The first thing I did was choose an arbitrary date in which to review threads. One of the defaults we both have is 45 days. I choose that because I thought it would be long enough to go back and see and patterns, but also short enough that it wouldn’t take me weeks to complete the review. Another most important factor of this, is that every single thing I was looking at and report on this thread is easily checked – if you doubt any of my findings, you can check yourself. So, I have looked back through 547 threads and 9,601 posts (why couldn’t your complaint been about a less popular forum? HA!).

Over the last 45 days, 14 threads have been locked and 6 have been deleted. Based on 9,601 posts that could have lead to a thread lock, that may or may not seem high. But I don’t think it fair to put a percentage on this because what is more important is why the threads were locked. If they were reasonably locked, then the percentage has no bearing. So let’s leave that alone for now.

But, to actually prove to you that I have duly checked out your complaint, below is the actual threads that were locked, thread comment and the Moderator comment upon closing the thread and the reasons why. If warranted, I’ll add my own comments. Following the 14 locked threads listed here are the 6 deleted threads with the same process. So follow along.


THREAD TITLE: SFO in Sept
IN THE THREAD: kluau88 posted a link to another thread with the exact same question.
MOD REPLY AT CLOSE: There are other threads discussing this same topic, so for housekeeping purposes, I'm closing this one.
MY COMMENTS: The mod is very specific of why the thread was closed. The thread contains a link to another existing thread of the very same question. Seems to me good practice to not have multiple threads on the same question.


THREAD TITLE: Around the world trip
IN THE THREAD: Tcook052: Well, I knew double posting on FT discouraged, but Triple posting? See same thread in MR and HH: (links)
MOD REPLY AT CLOSE: Please see comment on duplicate thread in Hilton: (link)
MY COMMENTS: It seems this member posted his question in several forums and other members in the forum all noted it. In fact there are several posts to this effect from other members. Wasn’t it nice that the mod actually took the time to follow the various duplicate posts in other forums and direct this member to his other thread that seemed to have the best answer to his question? I think the mod should be congratulated for taking the time to do this.

THREAD TITLE: Looking for 30k Starwood points
IN THE THREAD: Several members post that this new member has posted on other forums also looking to buy miles, etc. Several members also post that it is against the rules of SPG as well as FT to offer money for points or miles.
MOD REPLY AT CLOSE: This has been discussed. I realize the OP is a newbie, but this is against the TOCs as noted above.
MY COMMENTS: So, would you think this is over moderating when in fact the moderator is following the TOS of FT in not allowing FlyerTalk to become an eBay? Seems to me the mod was very much in line with our stance on members wanting to buy and sell miles or points on FlyerTalk. Interesting to also note that Starwood Lurker also posted that such practice is against the rules and TOC of the SPG program. Over moderating?

THREAD TITLE: 2006 SPG Promos
IN THE THREAD: MIKEM: They have not finished rolling out the fall of 2005 yet.
MOD REPLY AT CLOSE: Since this has been answered, I'm closing the thread for housekeeping purposes.
MY COMMENTS: A question was asked and it was answered. Now, there might have been no harm in keeping the thread open. But that’s a judgment call. Leaving it open could have resulted in topic drift. What more from a thread do you want than a question and an answer?

THREAD TITLE: I cannot believe this just happened! Westin BKK Incident
IN THE THREAD: Mtacchi: This whole thread is way out of hand,
Mcgahat: Exactly what I was thinking when I saw this thread get as long as it has.
MOD COMMENTS IN THREAD: As some have pointed out, this has gotten to be a "long" thread and wondered why it hasn't been closed. People have opinions and as long as you are keeping on topic and not "going OMNI" I really don't see why a closure of the thread would be called for.
The point of this board is to share information/exchange of opinions, etc. in a civil and dignified manner with different perspectives.

MOD REPLY AT CLOSE: Sorry folks, this has strayed a bit too much into "Omniess". Thanks to everybody for their input and suggestions.
MY COMMENTS: This thread had 79 posts. It was clearly getting off-topic to the degree that even members within the forum noticed (see comments from the thread by both mtacchi and mcgahat. The moderator did try to steer the thread back on topic (see post above) but it seems that the warning was not enough and the topic did drift again. Hard to find fault in a thread that the members of the community itself say it had drifted and the mod tried to keep things on track. And as the thread was closed, the mod was kind enough to at least say “Thanks to everybody for their input and suggestions.” That does not sound like an authoritative or insensitive moderator to me.

THREAD TITLE: Univ Wash area Marriotts – Seattle
IN THE THREAD: Another member: Don't know why this is in the *Wood forum, and don't know why you can't use the search by address feature at Marriott.com…
MOD REPLY AT CLOSE: Lake Union is not close to the UW; Lake WASHINGTON is. As far as Marriott or Starwood properties that are within walking distance to the university, there aren't any. You could stay downtown and take the #7 bus which runs every 10 minutes to the University District. That will take you approximately 30 minutes to get there. Or, you could stay at one of the hotels in Seattle that are in the University District e.g., there is a Holiday Inn type hotel near the university.
Hope this helps.
MY COMMENTS: Let’s see, posting about a Marriott property location in the Starwood forum? You can’t possible think that this type of thread should remain open so that others will think it’s OK to do it as well? Seems logical to ask the question in the Marriott forum if you ask me. Read the reply that this member got from another member on the forum and contrast it with what the moderator reply was to close the thread. The moderator in this case took time to research the Marriott property and give him/her some great advice even though it wasn’t a Starwood question. I’d give the moderator a medal for this one and this is over moderation?

THREAD TITLE: I Need A Free Night
IN THE THREAD: Member post: I need a lover that won't drive me crazy.
Member post: I need a week at The Atlantic-in the penthouse
MOD REPLY AT CLOSE: This has gotten off-topic pretty quick fast.
To the OP - the best and fastest way to get points would be to use the *wood AmEx card or buy the points from *wood. Cheapest would probably be to stay one night at the hotel you desire. As far as getting a free night without points, I'm not sure how that would be done nor does it sound like a good fiscal plan for "one" night imo
MY COMMENTS: Member is asking for a freebie and you can see from comments from our other members that the request was being met with sarcasm. So what does the mod do? Well, they actually give this member an answer and close the thread – my guess is so that this new member is not exposed to further sarcasm like the comments from the two members that did post. Over moderation? You would not suggest that we purposely allow threads like this to remain open after they have been answered so that we could all laugh at belittling another member? Hardly sport from where I come from.

THREAD TITLE: SPG website providing wrong info and no one will fix it!
IN THE THREAD: Note: Mods had created a sticky at the top of the page “Sticky: Starwood website problems? Post them here!” There are 145 posts in this thread and it helps SPG find and focus on fixing things.
MOD REPLY AT CLOSE: This should be posted in the Website sticky thread. For housekeeping purposes I'm closing this.
MY COMMENTS: Over moderating? The mods had created a Stciky just for this purpose and its purpose was so that SPG could see in one place the types of problems members might be having with their Web site. Allowing members to post their problems all over the forum would certainly make it more difficult to read and react . I think this practice probably has lead to a better Web site for SPG members. Over moderation?

THREAD TITLE: Targeted promo: Right now your stays count double
IN THE THREAD: Alamedaguy: I think your stays/nights will count toward achieving Platinum status, as well. Here are some recent threads discussing this type of promotion. (list of three threads about this same promotion)
MOD REPLY AT CLOSE: I would suggest we continue this in one of the threads above.
MY COMMENTS: In this case, another member notes an answer and as well posts links the three existing threads on the very same topic. The mod, sensing that it really doesn’t need to become four threads on the very same topic cuts it short. The member asking the question would no doubtablly have been served an answer. I don’t think that mods trying to consolidate threads about the exact same question is a case of over moderating – rather it is a convenience to all members in the forum to reduce clutter,

THREAD TITLE: CASH+POINTS for January-March 2006
IN THE THREAD: Gleff: Best bet would be mid- to late- January 2006.
Remember that Starwood first needs to come up with changes to category assignments for 2006 -- that'll happen a few days into January (to a first approximation, some changes will still occur) and then the cash & points list gets put together.
Since this isn't a mandatory program, hotels are solicited for participation -- so there needs to be some time for them to respond, and then for the web gurus to get the info online and for the rate plan gurus to load cash & points into the res system
MOD REPLY AT CLOSE: This has been asked and answered in other previous threads as well, so for housekeeping purposes I'm going to close this. Thanks!
MY COMMENTS: Was this question not answered in a most detailed way? As the mod notes (though true, they did not post a link to another existing thread) there are other threads regarding this same question.

THREAD TITLE: How to complain?
IN THE THREAD: Starwood Lurker: With who to contact? Certainly. Follow me to this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/show...referrerid=4179
Post #6, paragraph 2.
Note: Starwood lurker links to a thread at the top of this forum that the mods have set up titled: Sticky: How to contact various Starwood customer service/Web site entities.
MOD REPLY AT CLOSE: Question asked and answered. . .folks - please review the stickies at the top of the forum every once in awhile and provide your updated information if relevant! Thanks.
I'm closing this for housekeeping purposes.
MY COMMENTS: Even the official lurker in this forum advises to look at the Sticky that mods had already posted at the top of the forum. Granted, there was probably no harm in leaving this thread open, Again a judgment call, but would it be an example of over moderation? I think not.

THREAD TITLE: No Plat bonuses from Sheraton SFO
IN THE THREAD:
MOD COMMENTS IN THREAD: This should best be dealt with by contacting Customer Service per the sticky at the beginning of the forum.
Good Luck
MOD COMMENTS IN THREAD: I've unlocked this thread at Starwood Lurker's request so he can respond to the OP.
THREADS OFFICIAL LURKER COMMENTS: Starwood Lurker: You should, however, heed ldsant's advice concerning contacting Corporate Customer Service in regard to the hotel-related issues. 800-328-6242.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience, and hope this fixes everything for you.
Now, if he wishes, TravelScholar can lock the thread again.
MOD REPLY AT CLOSE: In the future all, please feel free to PM (Private Messages can be sent by right-clicking on the person's name and then select Send a Private Message. . .)William *wood Lurker for very individual requests and problems.
Or, as feel free to contact Customer Service as noted in the sticky. Thanks!
MY COMMENTS: Mod closes the thread citing the sticky at the top of the page – most likely to help with thread clutter. The official lurker in the forum asks mod to reopen so he could answer. Mod honors that request. And what does the Starwood Lurker say? That the member should have followed the advice that the mod who closed the thread gave the member when they did close it. When thread finally closed, the mod is polite again in asking that members please observe the stickies at the top of the forum for customer service with a particular property. If you think this is over moderation, why did the Starwood Lurker himself even post that the mod gave the correct advise? Again, thread clutter at best.

THREAD TITLE: Sudden collapse of bathroom ceiling = 8,000 starpoints
IN THE THREAD: There were nine subsequent posts like this: 50,000 points for a broken limb?; I 'm surprised no one has posted yet trying to figure out how to score a room where the ceiling is about to fall...
MOD REPLY AT CLOSE: This has gone OT. . .to the OP - I'm glad you weren't injured!
MY COMMENTS: You can see from the members posts I have listed here, it was hardly a thread about SPG or Starwood and was becoming an OMNI –like thread. True, perhaps there was no harm done in leaving it open and it’s OK to have some fun. But honestly – can’t you see the next post that bad mouths this member from profiting from something when he wasn’t even hurt and then the other posts that wallow around in the “sue the ….” Crowd? I really would not try and stake a claim to over moderation on this one.

THREAD TITLE: Freebie GOLD status with less than 10 stays?
IN THE THREAD:
MOD REPLY AT CLOSE: Because this has been discussed so many times before I am closing this for housekeeping purposes.
Welcome to FT cornerRoom. Please use the Search function in the upper right hand portion of the screen to search on "gold status". Also, feel free to reach out to any of the moderators listed on this page to assist you in the future.
MY COMMENTS: Probably best for thread clutter. If there is one thing we hear from many long time members is the same question asked over and over again. Mods try and rectify this with consolidating threads and actually giving advice on how to gain answers now and in the future and get flagged for over moderating? Some times you just can’t win it seems.


Deleted Threads:

THREAD TITLE: My legitimate post was removed by homophobic moderator from this forum
MY COMMENTS: You think it OK to aloow and thus encourage members to call others “Homophobic?” If so, let me introduce you to parnel. Apparently what happened on this members post was he admittedly alluded to asking others if they were “mo’s.” His excuse was that it was a somewhat secret term and that no one except a few would even know it referred to being homosexual. The way this term was posted in his posted even I would know what he was referring to and I’m quite straight. The moderator deletes his post because these types of posts in the past have lead to some lengthy debates. SPG is not a forum for that type debate. And now the moderator is attacked as being homophobic in public? You really think that is the type of threads we should allow on FlyerTalk? And in the SPG forum? Seriously, if you think that is what FlyerTalk is and should be, then I am very much out of touch with reality. One might think that this member could have resolved to use PM or email with any of the mods on this, but instead they rent a billboard in Times Square because they feel there were wronged by asking other members in the SPG forum if they were “mo’s”.

THREAD TITLE: Please Stop Locking Threads
MY COMMENTS: You say you forgot when you posted this thread. That would seem to imply that you actually have known. Let me get this straight, you forgot and make a mistake and no big deal, all is forgiven. A moderator who over the last 45 days has had to watch over 9,601 posts in the SPG forum for the betterment of tens of thousands of members makes a single error and we are looking to burn them at the stake for over moderating? All ike is not fair but don’t you think the mods did what they should have done and would not be accused of over moderating if only you had remembered.

THREAD TITLE: I just received complimentary Gold Preferred Guest through Delta
REASON: Reason: Has been asked and answered many times - private email sent to OP
MY COMMENTS: Seems like a case of thread cluter as I scanned through the 547 threads over the last 45 days and saw another thread of this same topic. The interesting thing here is the comments the mod made when deleting which you can’t see. The mod PMed the member with an answer and explanation to why the thread was deleted. The mod actually performed customer service by contacting the member with an explanation. Sure, we could have left yet another locked thread in its place but it all boils down to thread clutter.

THREAD TITLE: What to they really do with the Soap bars??
REASON: Off topic / copyright material
MY COMMENTS: the member starting this thread posted the following - The following was created and written by humorist Shelley Berman. It is a chapter from Berman's copyrighted book "A Hotel Is A Funny Place", Price/Stern/Sloan.
MY COMMENTS: We are accused of over moderating when we delete a thread that is admittedly a violation of someone copyrighted book. I don’t know about you, but I’d take a little pride in knowing that our moderators high ethics include observing the copyright of others. They don’t just turn a head to our gain. Posting exactly from a copyrighted book is not over moderating. In fact, take this challenge. Find this book and take it down to your local Kinkko’s and try to make copies of its pages. I think you know how that situation will be resolved. Kinkko’s will not allow you to make copies of that book – they as well respect the law and others copyright privileges. If our mods are accused of over moderating on this issue, what are you willing to accuse Kinkko’s of?

THREAD TITLE: Online reservation, no calendar download ?
Member JGill posts this: Sorry, wrong forum. Post should be in US Airways
REASON: Posted in the wrong forum
MY COMMENTS: The member himself admits he posted the thread to the wrong forum. Over moderation?

THREAD TITLE: Lanpass Airlines?
REASON: no reason given. I am reopening the thread.
MY COMMENTS: There was no reason given for closing this thread and after I read it, I think it should be repopened and will do so. Judgment, mistake or over moderating. I think they made a mistake on this one. But I can’t see burning them over this. I’ll chat with them to fully understand what they saw and exchange what I saw.

So, after reading all my research, I’m afraid I can’t come to the same conclusion, factually, as you have. Over the 9.601 posts that could have lead to a thread or post deletion, I found only one that I would have done something different with. I’m not sure what that percentage is, but it would seem to me it’s very respectful.

In many other threads, I see mods trying to control thread clutter and in all cases, their answers which I have reposted here are done in a helpful manner, often exceeding that of other members posts. And in some such as the Marriott Hotel post, it clearly chows that this volunteer staff has and likely will continue to go over and above when assisting our members. Their efforts to assist members with establishing Stickies at the top for some of the most commonly asked questions is extremely helpful and thoughtful.

BoSoxFan45, I respect that you are entitled to an opinion on the volunteers serving the SPG forum and in your mind they are guilty of over moderation. I would only ask that you really and truly read back through the facts (which you can check yourself) and see if indeed this is over moderation.

For many of you, I took a risk in even allowing this post to exist and frankly, I did not know what I was going to find. But I think once all of you have a chance to read through the facts, you’ll agree with me that FlyerTalk is a most valuable place for frequent flyer information. And that alongside our members, our volunteer moderator staff is an important and essential part of that value.

I applaud the volunteer moderators in the SPG forum and think this shows just what a helpful and professional group we have. Please join me in acknowledging their efforts.

Thanks for your question and I hope you know that I have sincerely looked into your concerns, though I simply can’t agree at this point.

Cheers,
Randy

Randy-

Wow. Thanks for your exhaustive search. I am impressed. I maintain my position, but respect yours and appreciate the facts you considered underlying it.

I still would like the Sheraton SFO thread unlocked, as I have something to add to it, and I don't find your analysis of that thread particularly convincing. While the Lurker does inform the OP that he can call/e-mail, etc, I hardly think this is dispositive.

Of course, SPG wants to know about shortcomings. They also, of course, would prefer that those shortcomings not be publicized, and be dealt with privately...after all, they don't go out of their way to tell us about how they can do better... it makes no business sense. If a hotel had a persistent problem, it's not just a problem for the individuals, but also for others who might stay there in the future. This hotel has a persistent problem, and I would like to be able to add to that thread, and threads like it.

If it's unlocked, great, if it stays locked, I'm not going to post regarding the hotel, because the message to me is that this board is not the place for such discussions. Instead I'll deal with SPG directly, and others won't know to be on the lookout.

So this seems to be about a single thread? Heck, I thought you were saying the sky is falling, the sky is falling.

We can agree to disagree. I would like to go back to something you note: "... and I don't find your analysis of that thread particularly convincing."

I really don't know if you had a chance to really read that thread. The member mentions a his problem with getting Platinum amenities during a free stay. What is seems you are missing, is this which was posted at the end of the members post: "Any ideas? William?"

Now, I don't know this member, or even think I have ever stayed at the hotel in question, however it does appear to me that this member is asking a question of William - The Starwood Lurker. I don't see your name, my name, or the question being addressed to any but William - The Starwood Lurker. Now, i don't know about you, but i hate it when i specifically ask someone a question and everyone else butts in. If i wanted opinions or thoughts from everyone, I would simply state what happened and ask others if they have had similar experiences. We do not find that here. The member specifically asks this question of William - The Starwood Lurker.

Now, William - The Starwood Lurker does as i noted seem to say that one of the moderators was correct is saying that it should have been posted in the Sticky at the top of the page. And after answering the member, William - The Starwood Lurker goes out of his way to let the moderator know that they may lock the thread again if they wish.

Synopsis: a member asks an official lurker on a forum for an answer to his question and advice. The lurker in question answers that questions. Q/A. Seems like that's reasonable.

But what doesn't click for me is that you seem to want to get in every thread. You were not invited to answer this question, William was. And then you now go on to create a black helicopters theory that FlyerTalk does not welcome these type of discussions. Would I be out of place to ask you for proof that you had started another thread about this property and that it was deleted? Well, the facts say you have not even tried.

do this, start your own thread, decide whom you want it to appeal to. You want an answer just from William or are you seeking similar experiences to see if you might be off-base or are you just needing a place to rant. You can do all of that on FlyerTalk.

Now, I'm sure you might think I'm out of touch with reality for my particular perception of this. But consider this - before you even posted this response, before I ever posted my own research, another member posted this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=477856

It seems others don't like the noise to signal ratio either.

Maybe it's just me, but over 9,601 posts in the last 45 days, I just can't see over moderation. But as noted, we'll just agree to disagree.

P.S. OI never noticed you live in Santa Barbara. Nice country. Next time in the area i'll give you a ring.

In closing.
 

This is one of those threads that shows signs of eternal debate. I think enough has been stated on both sides for others to draw their own conclusions - Over moderating or just trying to help.

I think it best to end here and continue to see each other somewhere on FlyerTalk.

NOTE: (and i hate to use these caps to shout) I hope that the membership of FlyerTalk understands that i can not possible spend the time it would take to investigate each and every members concern about moderation. Fortunately for us, it's just a small number of members who fall into this category and as i have done in the past, I'll try to answer and/or look into these situations. Some might say i took a great risk with this concern and in responding. That may be and I was prepared to call things the other way if i thought the situations merited it. In an at random concern and an at random forum, I still think the factual research shows that we're lucky to have these members assist others. BTW, these volunteers have contributed nearly 10,000 posts to the good of FlyerTalk.

If any member has a concern about a particular incident in which a post or thread is deleted or locked, please feel free to contact me personally. I have instructed our volunteers to continue to direct these matters my way. The sole purpose of FlyerTalk is a public forum for the discussion of frequent flyer programs and the general topic of travel (unless you are lucky enough to post, or be posted about in OMNI). We can only provide great value to our members if we continue to "talk travel."

Thanks for understanding.

Randy