IBLaura

Hey All! This is Laura and I’m here to help the users of AirlinePilotCentral out. This is my first post and I am so exited to be working with you all! Let me know how I am doing.

We will be rolling out a new improved page for AirlinePilotForums. We have taken a few suggestions from users, including the main mods of APC, and here is what we have come up with.

We will be moving the Square Banner Ad (size: 300x250) from the left side of the page to the right rail, which will make the unit less intrusive. This change will also allow us to bring the forum topics closer to the top of the page and reduce quite a bit of blank space.
In addition to this:

• we are helping user’s connect by making the registration and sign in section more prominent and visible

• we are improving the search function by making the search section more prominent and much faster

Below are before and after images of how this will look once this update is complete. What do you think? Post your comments here and let us know your thoughts!

We appreciate all your help!
Laura

nmarconato

Thanks! Hope this makes sense, looking forward to reading a few comments. Nick

TransWorld

Excellent on all items, in my opinion. Thanks!

nmarconato

Thank you so much for the feedback. Is there anything that we can do for you? Feel free to post your ideas in this thread or open a new thread. N

TransWorld

Thanks, can't think of anything else now. What you are working on will be a big help. I always try to think strategically. Will let you know if I have any other suggestions.

nmarconato

We'll keep you all posted, the ETA for this is by end of April 2017. Thanks! N

whalesurfer

Hello Laura and thank you for introducing yourself and for your efforts. I've been an APC member since '01. (changed jobs a few times in between and I closed the old accounts and created a new one).

So far I'm liking what I'm seeing. You communicating with us is important in itself. Don't let this forum turn into a flightinfo.whatever nonsense! They allowed it to happen and now their forum is 90% junk.

My suggestion are:

1) Reach out to the original founders. They knew what we wanted and they made it happen. It was a UPS and a United pilot who started this forum (if my memory serves me right?). The ups guy (JS) is still here and I believe his user name is freightdog. So if in doubt use their expertise.

2) Remember that almost all pilots use smart tablets nowadays for daily work. Most of us carry iPads, Windows based Surface devices, etc. and many of us avoid bringing laptops on the road because of the never ending love we keep getting from TSA agents.
So test all your new features on smart devices before you go live. Also, many of us do not want "mobile" versions of desktop sites. We can zoom things in if needed and often the mobile sites are simply limited versions of desktop sites. At the very least I'd like an opt-out option of mobile view.

3) Listen to us when we flag someone as a "troll" or an imposter. We're pretty good at telling if someone who claims to be working for airline xyz spews out nonsense. Also, this is an airlinePILOTcentral and while I don't mind inputs from mechanics, flight attendants, ATC controllers and so on they should identify themselves as such. All too often you see lengthy comments that are somewhat contradictory only to find out that the person commenting isn't actually a pilot for that specific airline but his/her wife or husband or maybe a flight attendant or someone who just felt the need to share his or her wisdom even though this person is not a pilot.
If this person said something like "from a flight attendant's perspective I belief that ..." I'd be totally ok with the comment but otherwise I get irritated because I don't frequent FA, mechanics and dispatchers message boards since I'm not informed enough about their issues.

4) PMs should be treated as such. A private message implies its private. If someone posts a private message he or she received from another member this person should be suspended. Unless the messages are threatening in nature and if so the moderators should be dealing with it.

5) Keep the airlinepilotcentral airline data up-to-date!
Can't emphasize this enough. This used to be the site to go to for interview gouges, latest details and so on. Now sometimes it takes weeks for things to update once people submit revisions. Make APC relevant again.

You're doing a good job. Good luck to you!

nmarconato

Thank you so much for the feedback and for taking the time to post your thoughts, I am glad to hear that we are moving in the right direction, at last.

I have been assigned to work on this site since Jan 2016 and I have been devoting quite a few resources already to the development of the site and the Community. There is still a lot to do (or: the best is yet to come? )

I must say I love this Community, and I certainly wish to do the best I can to provide an even more relevant platform to whoever wish to make make his/her dream of flying come true.

I have been thinking of trying out the flying experience myself as well, and I will use this site to get the necessary info. I'll keep you posted on this, I am so busy, I am not sure when I'll find the time, but I have already started looking around.

Meantime, I have made a note to myself to be more present on the site moving forward and log in on a daily basis.

To your points:
0) Make APC relevant again. This is great, and so much in tune w/ the recent times. I like it!

"Now sometimes it takes weeks for things to update once people submit revisions" what revisions are you referring to, if I may ask?

Are you referring to the Airline Profile Page? Ex: Alaska Airlines

On these pages, we have a turnaround time of 2-3 business days, but we strive to get the update live to site w/in the first 8 business hours. Hope this makes sense.

1) thank you. I'll reach out. I am in contact w/ a few long term members who have been providing relevant guidance. I thank you and everyone for the support and the help.

2) Yes sir! We always test the site on all devices, we have spent even more time testing the latest updates on an iPad and I have placed a request to get an iPad Mini assigned to my team. What other devices do you recommend I keep on my desk? Thank you!

3) OK, thank you. Noted. Moderators are reviewing this thread and I am sure they'd be agreeing w/ you.

4) Definitely.

5) Yess... I moved this to point 0), let's make the community relevant again.

Thank you. Bestest

Nick

whalesurfer

Welcome onboard Nick! Wish you good luck with your aviation aspirations. This site is fantastic for intel on pretty much anything related to aviation as long as you double- and triple-check it because we do have some trolls here.

Correct. Maybe those update times have improved but not too long ago it'd take weeks, sometimes months for very minor updates.

Why does it matter? Many of us have used this site when doing research on specific airlines, especially when offered an interview.
Way back when I knew very few people at ups and this site was a huge help for me. I'll always be grateful for the invaluable intel I received from fellow aviators. That's why I always try to reciprocate the favor.

I think you nailed it. iPads are probably most popular because most airlines use iPads for our Jepps and company manuals. However, as long as you test it on one or two of those devices it should work on them all.

Good luck to you and to your team! Thank you for trying to make this site even better.

Beech Dude

Sent in a bunch of updates for AA over a week ago since ya know, we all have new contracts and all.

This site is a resource and 4+ yr outdated info needs to go.

Mods?