razorseal

not sure if we had a policy/rule change?

I logged in with my username, and I can't view the regional, cargo, major areas?

without logging in, I can see them however.

Am I not aware of something? I doubt I've been a bad boy, I usually only go there to ask questions and I wouldn't even total them to 5-6 posts?

razorseal

ok, I can't seem to edit either...

I can't see the whole airline pilot forums. I can't post in any of them either if I was linked (let alone see)

Airplane Junkie

me too, can get to the pilot lounge but not the forums. sent a PM to HSLD.

razorseal

ok good, so i'm not the only one here lol

HSLD

There are many users that are in the non/new pilot user profile. While it is a restrictive user profile it is not punitive in nature - it's only meant to enhance the forum experience for everyone.

I understand it's not a popular profile because everyone wants full access, but this IS a forum for working airline pilots. We respect our moderators' time and efforts, and it's not fair to ask them to police the Airline Pilot Forums looking for posts such as:

"I'm a 17 year old high school student who always wanted to fly....."

Also, we battle with comments and remarks in the Airline Pilot Forums, that while well intentioned, are simply inappropriate due to a complete lack of insight and experience on the thread topic.

The Airline Pilot Central web site and accompanying forum is a resource for working pilots. We are committed to keeping the forums relevant to working airline pilots as well as the secondary goal of providing a platform for those earing their ratings.

I do want to make it clear that everyone is welcome to participate on the forums. However, to preserve the quality of resource to our primary audience we do limit access for some users. Specifically, the new/non pilot profile users are restricted to the Pilot Lounge section of the forum that contains the Hanger Talk, Flight School, and Flight Training forums.

Clearly there is demand for a flight school and flight training forum. We've thought about an APC spin-off that would present a dedicated and comprehensive flight training forum. The companion web site would offer tips and advice for flight training, downloads, and information about transitioning to a regional airline or 135 operation.

I'd like to hear from everyone and see if there is interest for this type of site. Like with the APC project, we rely on contributions from users - the APC site truly is a cooperative effort. I need to know if there are CFI's who would contribute to the effort and newly minted regional pilots who would share there path to the airlines and anything else that would help a noob.

So everyone, your thoughts.

razorseal

I see...

well that is interesting. It does make sense to me, but sometimes I might have a question specific to someone that flies an embraer, and that usually is best answered in the regional section. I had a question about the FADEC regarding the 135 there before and it was answered pretty quick. I believe I had a question about something regarding systems in the Major section too.

But hey, if you want to separate us airline career seeking guys from the guys who are already there, do it by all means. To me it sort of kills the point of us being able to interact with them unless they visit this area.

razorseal

since I can't edit, let me also add this.

If you need to moderate that forum because a 17 year old from HS asked a question, well move it I'm sure there are more then willingly moderators to help out with such things, if not I'll gladly help moderate these forums and move things where they should be. Locking us guys out isn't the right solution I believe.

Airplane Junkie

While I certainly respect your decision to restrict users who are not pilots, how about restricting their ability to post comments instead? I myself like to read the forums more for information and knowledge about the industry, in particular for UPS where I work. Not all of us ask irritating useless questions. On the military forum I had AF pilots track down an F-15A my father was a crew chief on years back. And the pilots were very helpful and courteous. Would be a shame to lose that type of access. But again either way I respect decision.

HSLD

Like I said, I know it's not popular because everyone wants full access. Our goal was never to create an "ask an airline pilot" forum open to the public, but we see it trending that way. The primary audience for this forum are working airline pilots and we'll change the resource as needed to maintain that goal.

We've allowed K-12 teachers, Doctors, Lawyers (and lots of 'em), Vets, FBI, Homeland Security, TSA, Real Estate Brokers, Hollywood Talent Agents, and the list goes on and on and on. If you were faced with keeping the forum a relevant resource for pilots and giving the general public a place to ask questions and learn about flying - what you do?

Our solution is obviously not a popular one, but it does help keep the discussions relevant for our target audience.

HSLD

Very true, this isn't punitive and if you can help come up with a solution that acomplishes our goals (see the response above) and does not require additional manpower - we're all ears.

The "Technical" forum is the appropriate forum for asking technical questions - you have full access to that as do those with access to the Airline Pilot forums.