The ghost of calcapt and other random questions
 

After roaming APC for the past couple of months I have a few questions.

1 Where did the site's logo come from? Is it a bird in a hula hoop? :D
2 How is the site funded? I don't see any ads anywhere.
3 Where did the idea for this site originate?
4 Besides HSLD and Freight Dog, who has been here the longest (that is still here)?
5 Do you think calcapt still roams here anonymously? You figure he'll be back?

6 Why does the site's search function (not the Google one) have a built in delay of 15 seconds between searches?

1.) We hired Water and Stone to work with us on the re-branding of Airline Pilot Pay. (hint, if you're going to hire an agency, make sure they offices in places you want to visit! It worked very well for us.)

2.) We've been carrying the the forums as an out of pocket expense for going on three years. Current bandwidth and server costs are causing us to re-think that strategy. We could pass the hat, use a subscription model, or place ads to offset cost. We think the least obtrusive way to offset cost is to host ads from pre-screened companies.

3.) A little about the site.

4.) I'll have to check the APC seniority list, but Rickar777 comes to mind as one of the most prolific posters on the forum.

5.) I hope so.

6.) To prevent spambots from using up server resources.

APC is a wonderful resource: high-caliber pilot participants, excellent moderators, high general amount of participation, professional courteous mood, up-to-date news and discussion, contributing experts, flexibility in topic, regard for education, family atmosphere. Ads would offset the bandwidth cost, and I am sure you would choose them in a thoughtful way as to any effects they may have on the Forum. I happen to like Purdy Neats, Ray Bans, Telex 850's and goofy furniture made out of aircraft parts, a certain number of such ads would not hurt the cause.

The UPS pilots union has ads in our newsletters and daily emails. It's done tastefully and with products that appeal to the group. Things like high end headseats, tax services, and SDF auto dealers. Anyhow, I hope we can stay away from flight academy ads like Jetcareers did.

If you sort the members list by the dates when people joined APC, you can see that RockBottom, SWAjet and Sir James were the first three.

http://airlinepilotforums.com/member...joindate&pp=30