Not that I've seen.

This was recently [re]confirmed by Internet Brands as something not currently possible with the forum software. I am unsure if a future version will include this capability.

FWIW, I have mixed feelings about so-called "mega-threads." I can definitely see the point that it becomes harder to find and search for information buried in an extremely long thread, and it's unfair to expect someone new to the forum to read a 150-page (or even 25-page) thread to find an answer. They're definitely a bit overwhelming.

On the other hand, there are several benefits to keeping related discussion together:

• It causes less turnover in the individual forum thread listings. That is, rather than 20 new threads being created in a couple of hours and pushing 20 older threads onto page 2, the same five or so threads just keep getting updated, making other threads stay visible on the front page of an active forum easier. (One reason I stopped going into the UA forum a couple of years ago is because it was just a constantly-churning mess of new threads popping up, which is--to me--more overwhelming than being able to ignore a relatively fewer number of megathreads on subjects that don't interest me.)
• For those inclined to spend a lot of time reading and researching a given issue, it makes it easier to see related discussion and follow trains of thought in one cohesive place rather than having to find--and potentially miss--a new thread.
• It actually makes it easier, in my experience, for those following a given issue to chime in and provide their expertise or viewpoints. Many people rely heavily on the "New Subscribed Threads" feature of MyFlyerTalk. If someone finds a thread interesting or has replied to it and someone posts a question in it, it'll show up there, making it more likely that someone will see it and post a response. A new thread can slip under the cracks much more easily. (An example for me is the "Consolidated ANC Meet-Up Thread. If someone posts they're coming to ANC in CommunityBuzz, I might miss it, but if they post in that thread, I'll respond within a couple of hours and we'll probably make a DO out of it.)
• They are appropriate places to post small updates that really aren't quite deserving of their own dedicated thread but that are useful tidbits, especially when conjoined with other, related small useful tidbits. Two of the threads mentioned above--the "Consolidated 'UA Aircraft Sightings in Unexpected Locations'" thread and "The Consolidated 'Interesting Things Heard on Channel 9' Thread"--are perfect examples. Would we really want to see a new thread for every instance of a pilot asking for a game score over the radio or sighting of a UA 777 in ANC?

Now, all that said, I don't deal much with the other kinds of merged/consolidated mega-threads, and certainly none of the ones that I deal with in the Alaska Airlines forum are anywhere near the length of the ones posted above in the United forum, so my perspective shouldn't be taken as gospel. On the contrary, if it appears the vast majority of FlyerTalk members are displeased at current practices, it's the duty of TalkBoard to represent the membership to the administration of the forums.

Great feedback thanks. I agree that there is definitely something to be said for this issue. In some ways, some of this is just the limitation of discussion board technology. For some of these megathreads, they'd actually benefit from being in a wiki or maybe captured in an index thread of sorts, but then let the discussion happen largely in the new threads.

I think the other issue at play here is what the threshold is for merging threads. One of the more egregious UA threads is the "positive UA experiences" thread. If you take the definition liberally you could probably merge 5-10% of all threads into it. (by the way, if there was a "negative UA experiences thread, you could probably merge 70% of all threads into it. )

Search for the word "Consolitdated" or "Merged" in the title of a thread in the UA & AA forums and you'll see.

I agree with Koko that this is a problem (as do many FTers from what I've heard at various FT meetups) - but I don't know that the TB can regulate that is it's more a moderator thing.

That said, I do believe it's a huge probelm that's not been adequately addressed. I remember a complaint to Randy a while back & he had said (and I'm about 99.9% certain I read this or heard him say it, but I could be wrong) that the majority of the mergers/consolidated threads were due to member requests - I'm not sure that I believe that, but it's a problem.

[Redacted by moderator due to discussion of specific moderation actions]

I agree with Koko... and it's not just the mega threads. It's also the lounge threads.

People are posting questions/hints/tips/info about the program in the lounge threads making it nearly impossible to find information.

I've tried keeping up with one or two of them, and it's nearly impossible, as there are several hundreds posts in each of them in a span of a few hours.

It's possible that mega-threads are a symptom of a busy forum. In other words, the real problem may be the level of traffic rather than the use or non-use of mega-threads to organize posts. High traffic brings many difficult problems.

I don't believe that TB has any authority to speak on this issue, but I always like to hear new ideas on how to increase the value of FT to our members. In particular, if you know of other websites that handle high traffic levels in clever ways that you feel add value to their readers, please share that information here.

I see this happening all the time in the UA forum. A particularly annoying instance is whenever asks something relevant only to Premier Exec or Premier members, e.g. about unlimited upgrades, the posts get transferred to a mega-thread that has a title like, "Will 1Ks continue to get unlimited upgrades?" The result is that the thread is ignored by other 1Ps and 2Ps, and the discussion focuses solely on 1K concerns. Aside from the overall hostility which seems to be the norm in the UA forum (and for which I hold the mods directly responsible), I wasn't aware that the only "relevant" topics in that forum are those that apply to 1Ks.

Mega-threads are rarely convenient, particularly when the original post date was years ago.

nsx, yours is a very well-run forum on many levels, and I don't recall seeing the chronic, "Your post has been moved to lumbering, creaky old thread," activity that I see in other forums.

Well I posted a link to this discussion in the UA forum but it disappeared within an hour.

Perhaps it was buried in a three-year old mega thread about frustratingly difficult to use IBBs. @:-)

Please allow me to impart my experience on this topic.I am a moderator of both the Delta SkyMiles and Hilton HHonors forums, as well as a Senior Moderator, which simply means that I am tasked with moderating forums that have no moderator formally dedicated to them.

In the Delta SkyMiles forum, as well as in my role as Senior Moderator, most of the threads I merge are specifically upon request — usually as reported to the moderators — and only if it makes sense. I rarely merge threads on my own.

When I first became moderator of the Hilton HHonors forum, the one issue of feedback I received overwhelmingly is that there were too many threads pertaining to similar Hilton HHonors properties. There were greater than 100 threads regarding Hilton HHonors properties with the word “Paris” in the title, rendering searching for information about Hilton HHonors properties in Paris virtually useless. After we spent months cleaning up the Hilton HHonors forums, we received positive feedback overall for our work. Still, Hilton HHonors FlyerTalk members said that we merged threads too quickly. Except in obvious situations, the Hilton HHonors forum moderators now wait anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks before merging threads, and this policy seems to have worked.

By the way, the topic of merging threads in the Hilton HHonors forum has led to this “gem” in the The Merged Merged Threads Thread:I will be the first to admit that the policies we moderators have in the Hilton HHonors forum — which were created as a result of the feedback we receive — will not work in every forum. However, it is a study of what can happen when moderators and FlyerTalk members work together to create as close to the optimal experience as possible.

I believe that “mega threads” would not be as much of a problem if the Search function within a thread of the vBulletin bulletin board software were more powerful and faster, but that is simply my opinion.

one of the prime reasons FOR mega threads!!:-:

+100^

Quite rightly IMHO as it's a discussion that belongs here not there or on other forums.

I agree that the discussion belongs here. But certainly deleting the link is going to keep eyes of those who have an opinion on the matter off of this thread. Which, imho, is .

When I was on the TB I proactively posted in relevant forums about discussions taking place here so that the posters who were most affected by TB decisions had an opportunity for input. @:-)

Let's stay focused on the topic. The TalkBoard does not regulate moderation, consequently this thread should not make reference to any previous specific moderation actions. The subject certainly might call for macro discussion of historic activity, but that's the limit.

Agree with Carnasie that what works in one forum may or may not work across the spectrum.

What has been done with the mega threads in the aadvantage forum (that were created by request from users) is to have hijacked the OP. With repetitive requests for answers on the same topical questions someone who does not do a search and finds their thread merged will come across the OP where all the relevant information is located. example

Nobody who is a regular user for the forum expects a relative newcomer to read the entire thread. In addition anyone who is a regular user doesn't expect to have the first couple pages filled with the same question[s] asked repetitively.

Ultimately I believe what each and everyone of us wants is to make the information available for users. How we go about it is going to be different based on the requests by users for the different fora.

Thanks for starting this thread as it is always useful to receive useful new ideas for attacking a problem from a different perspective.

I think we should remember that not everyone is happy to post, and so may just read the mega-threads, find their answer and go away happy with an answer.

Personally I hope that the Ambassador programme will create a way that members can ask "new member type" questions without being told to do a search. Although a little unstructured - which is the nature of these things, the thread in Hyatt allows new members, or established members new to Hyatt, to ask questions which the 'old hands' just know the answers to.

I think it's been great and would love it rolled out across the whole board.

Informally in Star Alliance, there are a group of members who are answering our most popular question - 'Which Frequent Flyer Scheme should I join?'. There, members post about their flying patterns, and some other key questions, and other members post suggestions, discuss pros and cons, and help out people.

I think these two initatives, will help remove the Mega-threads issue by providing places to post.