Well, lets look at this...
The only rating anyone is set into, is by how many posts they have. This is great in some stiuations, but is very contriversial in others. I personally have lurked for about two years, since one of my students let me know about the site, till about 3-4 months ago, when I figured my opinion might, just maybe, be listened to. Then I had to remember that true knowledge is knowing that you know nothing. I have taken my fair share of that. Just because I have less then 150 posts here on this site leaves the subject very obscure. At the same time if the rating system was changed, ie, giving a subject such as Time, Types of ac flown, current job, etc it would be very simple to create a false hierarchy. Perfect example is myself. There are many out there who have their heart set on flying for a regional, and progressing as quickly as possible to a major and working up the ladder. The problem is that I don't see myself taking the less then minium pay to fly a jet, I instead would like to progress more logically, from CFI to 135 piston twin, to what ever is next. Some people see that as a step sideways, because I am not reaching my potential with the times that I have. But I disagree. I think instead of flying for an airline (regional) with little better then CFI pay is a SLAP IN THE MOTHER F(#)%(#NG FACE, I would rather work for a company who has respect for their employees and is willing to pay them for their time and experience. This is the problem. Some may take my word for a little less then from a member who posts from their GIA graduate, Pinnacle FO position. Of which I cannot say anything bad about personally, but it is not the road for me. My point being, that in any situation, the only way to create a hierarchy of posters is to have personal opinions from the Admin. He (Doug) gets the final word on all of those types of decisions, and has made moderators out of a few. Those decisions should be made from Doug, and Out of Doug's opinion. I haven't always agreed with Doug or the moderators, but if I were to agree all the time, there would be no conversation.
IMO.... LET YOUR OPINION BE KNOWN AND POST IT... IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION AND SOMEONE GIVES YOU A HARD TIME, LET THEM KNOW THAT THEIR UN-SUPPORTIVE SPIRIT KILLS THE BASIC PREMIS OF THIS FOURM. IMO
Also, Sarcasm is great in the Lav, but in General topics, we should all respect the posters questions, and give in our best professional opinion, an answer that will help the poster through the point in the career that they are at.
