Since joining FT, I feel like I have found a real home here. Regular folks on FT feel like a real community - and often willing to help each others out in times of need or in times of needing advice and support... However, despite the community camaraderie, "membership" in FT right now still mainly describes a sign-up on an open web forum. And most FT are quite anonymous while one is traveling. However, I want to be able to help a fellow FT during an IRROP and other times should a FT like to share advice, or just welcome good stimulating conversation, or to network.

Therefore, would does everyone (esp the FT moderators) think about forming some formal membership or association for veteran/regular members of FT? Something that would symbolize a formal trustworthy seal of FT affiliation? (beyond just FT luggage tags that anyone can order, and beyond something that any 1st time FT joe-schmo who never contributes to FT forums would be able to get).... something that represents that a person is a regular and loyal contributor to the FT community (as designated by either community vote or approval of FT Moderators).

I'm not proposing any sort of 'elite' membership, but rather a FT 'good citizen' member or 'active community' member.

I think the FT essence camaraderie has grown strong enough to actually take on a true CULTURE. And I hope others might be interested in forming a somewhat more tangible symbol of FT loyalty and camaraderie beyond the digital world.
Welcome your thoughts.

Eric

p.s. interim proposal:

1) Member dubbed a 'Flyertalk Good Citizen' member

2) GC Members should have a minimum of 6 months online FT registration

3) GC Members should have a minimum of 100 posts.

4) New GC members should be endorsed by at least 1 or 2 other long-standing FT member with >200 posts, or by a FT moderator.

5) GC member should not have any blacklist status on any forums (e.g. for inappropriate activity on CC)

6) GC members will be able to carry some portable travel identification - like perhaps a special metallic luggage tag and/or a sturdy pin/broach/badge.

7) GC membership should be free (or only nominal to defray the cost of printing any membership cards/badges/tags).

Again, the purpose is to recognize and reward good citizenship on FT, and allow good citizens and active community members at airports to recognize each other, help each other, and network with each other.

Why is this in the UA forum?

That was my first question..,.

With this being FT, I see first 100 posts being GC, but then things would go 500 posts = Silver Gc, 1000 posts = Gold, 5000 posts = Plat, 10000 = diamond. And so on....

agree this more appropriate for Community Buzz and put into context of the present FT operation

Does this mean I should get a Flyertalk decoder ring? Or a UA decoder ring.

its in the UA forum because I kinda wanted to make it a UA-specific GC membership program at first.

Soon there will be a PR run forum for posting runs....

Don't see the point of classifying and winnowing FTers in this manner. Join date, post count are all I need to know, most of us participate in multi forums, and there's FT bag tags if you want them.

Agreed, spend a few days here and you quickly pick up who the knowledgeable ones are.

Where is the link for bag tags?

http://www.flyertalk.com/store/

Now do I get a damn decoder ring?

PS - the bag tags are in the original store.

FT Store.
Direct Link here.

I recommend minimum 1000 posts. Yes, it should be in another forum besides the UA forum.

cool, thanks for the link(s)! I say decoder rings all around.

Just in case this goes somewhere, I guess I need to start padding my post count.