The thread has its ups and downs. Go back a few pages earlier and you will find several mod interventions and edits among all of the C2-C3 codes. PMs are likely the way to go but newbies have complained in the past of getting ignored. Heck, several posters clearly indicate no PMs as I am sure they are getting bombared with questions (and I don't blame them).

Go back a few years and you will find that many posts contained cities and routes (minus the tricks) and you could get help within the thread. IMO, the more things have become coded the more they have become popular and drawn more attention.

Yet we still did this to CC and OMNI. Has it hurt FT that much? I purposely did not make a clear proposal as I this is a topic that really needs some thought. I just don't feel that the status quo works for error fares and tricks. At one point TB voted in favor for this access restrictions (and quickly changed it back) and I believe the mods of the MR forum asked something similar as well, so I do not think I am unrealistic that a change could be useful.

Many of the TATL and TPAC deals in the MR Deals are missing YQ. Look at the thread I originally posted...almost all of the discussion is based on where the thread should be placed:rolleyes: (I think it is even noted around post #130). Posters are already at the point of discussing if where the thread should be moved sans any restrictions:eek::eek:.

Any legit deals (low CPMs, favorable fare routings, etc.) should be open to everyone as they can call an airline without issue. I would prefer having error fares or tricked fares that make it out of the Trick-It thread somewhat protected from members outside FT (but lurking) that might not understand not to call the airlines or spread the news to everyone. It's not perfect, but I feel it would be better than what we currently have.

The situation on the TrickIt forum is a bit ... choppy; with merged in threads upsetting reading patterns; the usual bi-weekly argument about openness and closedness... and while the forum being open to searching does help those of us research; having the single thread actually be its own forum (with other MR deals in parallel, that might not get picked up by bloggers immediately...) would do a lot to at least _try_ to restore FT's place for this kind of information.

On a personal note; I think 180/180 is too restrictive; since a) I would fall outside that range; and I've found that part of FT to be quite helpful, and b) it's a progression. Moving to 90/90 or even login only; and observing the effects (along with a possible new forum) might do a lot to increase the trust.

Here's my draft proposal for comments:

Which I like ^

If this goes to proposal, I'm 99.9% sure I will be voting against it.

My main reasons:

1) Restricting information isn't what I believe FlyerTalk is about. I don't believe that was the founder's intention when it was created. Further, I do not believe that many of us would have the status we have and the miles that we have and the experiences we have had if we didn't spend time on FlyerTalk exploring forums, like the Mileage Run Deals forum, before joining. One can only talk about Miles/Points so much - Mileage Run Deals is part of the "meat" of FlyerTalk, IMHO.

2) As someone that often refers people to visit FlyerTalk and even sends links to non-FlyerTalk friends, I do think it's ridiculous to attempt to make join & log in to experience what this community has to offer.

3) With the exception of newbies, anyone this is trying to block out, won't actually be blocked out - this accomplishes nothing, IMHO.

Personally, I don't think it is ridiculous at all to ask some to have an account and log in if you want to visit certain parts of FT (or even a majority of it.) I don't think it is a hardship to ask that of people. Though I'm not saying we have to go down that path either.

But with that said, I think your 3rd point hits the nail right on. If the purpose of adding a login restriction here is to keep out certain other groups, I agree this really doesn't address that at all.

Its main purpose is to exclude search engines and automated deal scrapers. Blocking of non-registered newbies is an undesirable side effect, not an objective.

Agreed on it not being a hardship at all to creating an account and logging in (and that is good for both F/t ^ I/B) and as to point #3, nsx hits it on the head below

Agreed ^

You seriously think people who process boards to scrape deals can scan the MR board automatically for error fares?

Virtually no one's first post is in the Mileage Run Deals forum, so adding a login requirement wouldn't hurt anyone. If fact it might encourage some of the 131 guests (as compared to 85 members) who are currently viewing the forum to sign up and start posting. As the debate recently went - content is the life blood of FT. Encouraging people to register is the first step in building that content.

+1, which is why I'd support a log-in requirement.

Cheers.

This may be true.

However, I would venture to say that many people who lurk on FlyerTalk come here, see that forum, and that may be part of what convinces them to stick around (and eventually join) versus a bunch of people debating warm nuts in United or something of that nature.

Many people's first posts are in the Mileage Run Discussion forum - which, this proposal, would harm.

Proof of this statement, especially when you're saying 'many'?

Cheers.

First time poster & first post here -

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...-airports.html

But what I meant was that many people have some of their first posts in threads they start in that forum (not necessarily their first ever posts, like the above thread).

This thread starter is at 18 posts as of now -
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...-leg-trip.html

This one is currently at 29 posts as of now - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...-leg-trip.html

44 posts here - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...ed-please.html

20 here - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...onth-flex.html

And that's just on the first page...today...

Many of the thread starters in the MR Discussions forum have less than 150 posts...sure, they may not be brand-spanking-new members, but relatively new members who are likely, IMHO, sticking around and potentially joined and stayed because of the info in MR Deals & MR Discussion...and these are just the thread starters...