Observations of AFF

[ashleyn]

I've been on here for a while now (since 2006), made a few posts and I fly a bit so I think I'm qualified to make a few observations. Firstly, this is a brilliant forum, chock full of information and highly addictive. I especially like the threads that impart first hand knowledge which is invaluable to those asking for advice and others who need the same information. If I have 2 gripes, they would be that flogging the dead horse seems to be the norm on the forum. When a thread is clearly past its use by date it should be killed off (mods ?) but this is not the case. Maybe a FB type mute for specific threads could solve this problem.

My other gripe relates to expectations. That is where someone "expected" X but got "Y". Often referred to as first world problems, they are mostly trivial (IMHO) and beg the poster to take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror and maybe even reassess their priorities in life. For me, getting from A to B in one piece and reasonable shape pretty much does it and anything else is a bonus but then maybe I'm the odd one out. PJ's, choice of drinks and quality of meals, seats, do they really define your life ?

I know posts like this will continue on the forum and I will ignore them (promise). I know that many members will want to shoot me down citing status, expectations of this and that airline or class, that's fine. I will continue to enjoy the small perks I may get beyond getting from A to B and probably continue to enjoy flying as a result.

 

[Deleted member]

I agree

However I think a lot of the " nonsense" is in fact a bit tongue in cheek.

 

[albatross710]

If I have 2 gripes, they would be that flogging the dead horse seems to be the norm on the forum. When a thread is clearly past its use by date it should be killed off (mods ?) but this is not the case. Maybe a FB type mute for specific threads could solve this problem.

Thanks for the post. I have seen this on Tripadvisor forums with a 'lock' when a thread has been inactive for some time.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

 

[medhead]

Thanks for the post. I have seen this on Tripadvisor forums with a 'lock' when a thread has been inactive for some time.

Threads on AFF close after 12 months of inactivity.

 

[amaroo]

Regulating a thread is easy.....you don't need a mod to do it.

Don't like - Don't read it.

 

[serfty]

Threads on AFF close after 12 months of inactivity.

est actu XVIII menses automatic clausurae

i.e. 1½ years

 

[ashleyn]

Threads on AFF close after 12 months of inactivity.

My point is that is not working and posts are open for years just because someone posts in the 11th month. Once a post has reached its use by date (eg the Y PJ saga), close it.

 

[medhead]

est actu XVIII menses automatic clausurae

i.e. 1½ years

Profound!!

 

[juddles]

My point is that is not working and posts are open for years just because someone posts in the 11th month. Once a post has reached its use by date (eg the Y PJ saga), close it.

Do you mean the F PJ saga or is there a different one for Y? You wanted the F PJ thread closed within a couple of days of it starting. Not everyone accesses AFF every day so that would not be sensible.

Surely if you personally think that a thread offers nothing further for you, then it is easy to ignore the thread. Sometimes it appears that some people clamour for threads to be closed when other individuals do not concur with their views. In other cases perhaps a topic can be of no interest to someone, but of great interest to others.

In any case, maybe a ¨make thread invisible¨ button could be added for those who are unable to ignore a particular thread.

 

[haydensydney]

If I have 2 gripes, they would be that flogging the dead horse [...]

My other gripe relates to expectations.

The awesome thing about free speech is that we can choose what to write, and the better thing about free will is that you get the opportunity to ignore the threads that you find irritating.

If you think AFF is bad, go check out Flyertalk and see how the professional DYKWIA's act. AFF is a walk in the park by comparison

 

[medhead]

Sometimes threads should be taken out and shot because they're on topics that are quickly going to turn into a circle of bovine excrement. I haven't read the F PJ thread for days because there is nothing more to say. However it is still sitting there in my top 10 list on the App. So I'd be all for an invisible thread option, or better yet actually making the "mark thread read" function in the AFF App work. (oops there I go complaining again - sorry I'm not allowed to complain around here)

I was going to say something else but can't remember.


Sent from the Throne

 

[RWJ777]

My point is that is not working and posts are open for years just because someone posts in the 11th month. Once a post has reached its use by date (eg the Y PJ saga), close it.

I tend to agree; except I think I'd go 6 months. I can't think of too many issues that remain static for more than 6 months. A succeeding thread would allow a nuance or different perspective to prompt new and refreshed discussion.

I must admit, I joined here 2 years ago but have really only become active recently; the reason -- I found it really hard to navigate the (long and aged) threads on my first few visits.

Having said that, I really enjoy the discussion here with the exception of a few rude people which the moderators seem to do a pretty good job at controlling (ie the DJ fireman UM thread).

 

[boylero]

You could use the thread tools/unsubscribe button if you're sick of the thread, just saying?

 

[QF WP]

Ah, this little hoary chestnut

Everybody had the chance to comment on their experiences (or second- or third-hand). This the reason for auto-closing threads. However if one feels that they have new to add, you can always PM the Mods to explain your new information and we (the Mods) can discuss opening the thread.

Of course for those threads that aren't to your taste/interest, the simple option is not to read them.

We do love people giving their opinion, as everyone is entitled to theirs - so long as the discussion (if you have a counter opinion) respects their opinion.

 

[simongr]

I can see where ashleyn is coming from. The challenge to admin I think is that it isn't easy to avoid some of these threads as they come up in new posts search. If there was a way to "ignore this thread" I think that would be great. Not sure if the functionality exists but it would be a great addition if it did.

I subscribe to by few threads so unsubscribing isn't an option.

Personally I would love to hide all Citibank threads and increasingly Virgin Australia threads. I often click on a Virgin thread before I have seen the forum it is in as the subject could be a general or QF thread. I equally can't be bothered getting into the QF/VA slanging matches....

 

[drewbles]

The awesome thing about free speech is that we can choose what to write, and the better thing about free will is that you get the opportunity to ignore the threads that you find irritating.

If you think AFF is bad, go check out Flyertalk and see how the professional DYKWIA's act. AFF is a walk in the park by comparison

I agree totally. As this is typically a fairly small community (with which we welcome newcomers with open arms) a lot of the gripes we have are a) tongue-in-cheek or b) a little rant to vent steam. It's not uncommon for us to have a joking dig at other friends we have on here either (hence hayden and I in the VA Cheese Platter thread ).

The whole 'expected a and got b' is often a 'whinge' at people who *paid* for and then got b (I know there are people who have a large DYKWIA factor and it is paid for b and expected a, but in general that seems to be the very very minority of people here).

As others have said, easiest way to moderate is to just not read. Unless it's actually derogatory or offensive in nature, it's a free world and all that

 

[casanovawa]

Yeah there can be a big price difference at the front of the plane from the back, so if i shelled out the extra I would expect something slightly better... But yes some pople do get down to splitting hairs or over reacting and often get told precisely that on here...

The thread thing... well yes i think the selective reading thing really is main way of sorting what is worth your time... Never know when you still might come across a nugget her or there....

 

[Cynicor]

I really hate the "first world problem" idea, when it is used seriously. It implies that any inconvenience, upset, annoyance should be ignored because I have food and shelter, while everything else is a privilege.

This is a forum for flyers, people, in fact, who fly frequently!!! That in itself is a first world feature, and you will find first world problems here. Get over it and just ignore the threads you rate as a first world problem.

 

[medhead]

I really hate the "first world problem" idea, when it is used seriously. It implies that any inconvenience, upset, annoyance should be ignored because I have food and shelter, while everything else is a privilege.

This is a forum for flyers, people, in fact, who fly frequently!!! That in itself is a first world feature, and you will find first world problems here. Get over it and just ignore the threads you rate as a first world problem.

Totally agree, in some uses I've seen here it is a form of bullying (maybe subconsciously). Somethings may be a first world problem, but that doesn't mean we can't ask question and discuss them. I sometimes think that those saying first world problem should get off the computer, fly to africa and dig a well for someone.

 

[TonyHancock]

Is there a way I can ignore this thread?