[She emerges from FF365's Lurkers' Lounge to deliver a grumpy rant.] So, what's all this 'phantom passenger' nonsense, eh? Each time a significant aircraft appears, someone in the Live Chat claims to be on it, about to board it, or to know someone on it. They wanna be loved and envied and admired... Awww, how sweeeeeet. No, not sweeeet. And no, it's not just a bit of harmless fun. The people in the FF365 community devote a lot of time and attention to making the Channel what it is: a relaxing, contemplative spotting experience where the planes are the focus and where there's nobody red-faced wth jet-rage shouting at you. The regulars know that some people visiting the site will be nervous flyers seeking reassurance; not experienced plane geeks, just ordinary peeps with concerns. The established Chatters and the Mods take such people seriously. Advice is free and comes from the heart from enthusiasts with genuine experience of commercial aviation. Teenaged trolls posing as phantom passengers, their relatives, or even cabin staff abuse their efforts to help. That's obnoxious behaviour, boys. Not big, not clever. Please, stop it. Fake travellers spoil it for everyone else because genuine passengers and relatives now face a wall of cynicism and disbelief. Why should they be taken seriously without providing evidence that they're who they say they are? The sad fact is that Chat trolls know all the tricks. They live in a world of online anonymity with no consequences. They know which buttons to press to get maximum attention. They'll say and do anything, including feigning illness to get sympathy. It's cowardly and despicable, but that's why people aren't always believed in the Live Chat. It's only reasonable to be suspicious. That's why we can't have nice things. This Channel doesn't need attention seekers crying 'Wolf!', stirring things up to give themselves a few minutes of exposure. Guys, if seeing your made-up name scrolling down a screen is soooo important to you, there are plenty of other platforms you can use (online gaming forums, for instance, if you can cope with the juvenile exchanges), but I suppose the FF365 people are a 'fun' target because they're adults and sincere. It's like answering back to authority figures in school, isn't it, except that the teachers can't punish you. Ooh, what a thrill. Beavis and Butthead, huh-huh-huhhuhhuh. I'm not a nice person. I joke about being in the exclusive VIP Naughty Corner of the FF365 Lurkers' Lounge (and trust me, you have to be exceedingly naughty to get sent there), but the truth is that I'm a grumpy, moody moo (🐄) which is why I so seldom join the Live Chat. I've been sorely tempted over the last few days, but I'd only make matters worse, and the Moderators already have a secure grip on the situation. So I lurk in silence. But I seethe as I lurk. Seethe with rage. I love this Channel. Yep. Love it. Aviation is my 'safe' place (just don't tell Dr Asperger), and it pains me to see honest, decent Chatters being taken for a ride. It spoils the atmosphere of FF365 and disrupts the efforts of the hard-working call-out volunteers. In my book, that's a capital crime. Don't worry, though, fake passengers. I won't identify you or your multiple aliases here - that would be cruel - but you know who you are. You were caught out yesterday and today. Your bluffs were called. Giving yourselves fake female identities won't save you, either. Be sure the Mods will find you out. The Pit swallows all. And the sooner you appreciate the difference that losing the letter 'f' makes to your favourite phrase, 'I'm flying!', the better it will be for us all.
Great daay
[She emerges from FF365's Lurkers' Lounge to deliver a grumpy rant.]
So, what's all this 'phantom passenger' nonsense, eh? Each time a significant aircraft appears, someone in the Live Chat claims to be on it, about to board it, or to know someone on it. They wanna be loved and envied and admired... Awww, how sweeeeeet.
No, not sweeeet. And no, it's not just a bit of harmless fun. The people in the FF365 community devote a lot of time and attention to making the Channel what it is: a relaxing, contemplative spotting experience where the planes are the focus and where there's nobody red-faced wth jet-rage shouting at you.
The regulars know that some people visiting the site will be nervous flyers seeking reassurance; not experienced plane geeks, just ordinary peeps with concerns. The established Chatters and the Mods take such people seriously. Advice is free and comes from the heart from enthusiasts with genuine experience of commercial aviation.
Teenaged trolls posing as phantom passengers, their relatives, or even cabin staff abuse their efforts to help. That's obnoxious behaviour, boys. Not big, not clever. Please, stop it.
Fake travellers spoil it for everyone else because genuine passengers and relatives now face a wall of cynicism and disbelief. Why should they be taken seriously without providing evidence that they're who they say they are?
The sad fact is that Chat trolls know all the tricks. They live in a world of online anonymity with no consequences. They know which buttons to press to get maximum attention. They'll say and do anything, including feigning illness to get sympathy. It's cowardly and despicable, but that's why people aren't always believed in the Live Chat.
It's only reasonable to be suspicious. That's why we can't have nice things.
This Channel doesn't need attention seekers crying 'Wolf!', stirring things up to give themselves a few minutes of exposure. Guys, if seeing your made-up name scrolling down a screen is soooo important to you, there are plenty of other platforms you can use (online gaming forums, for instance, if you can cope with the juvenile exchanges), but I suppose the FF365 people are a 'fun' target because they're adults and sincere.
It's like answering back to authority figures in school, isn't it, except that the teachers can't punish you. Ooh, what a thrill. Beavis and Butthead, huh-huh-huhhuhhuh.
I'm not a nice person. I joke about being in the exclusive VIP Naughty Corner of the FF365 Lurkers' Lounge (and trust me, you have to be exceedingly naughty to get sent there), but the truth is that I'm a grumpy, moody moo (🐄) which is why I so seldom join the Live Chat. I've been sorely tempted over the last few days, but I'd only make matters worse, and the Moderators already have a secure grip on the situation.
So I lurk in silence.
But I seethe as I lurk. Seethe with rage. I love this Channel. Yep. Love it. Aviation is my 'safe' place (just don't tell Dr Asperger), and it pains me to see honest, decent Chatters being taken for a ride. It spoils the atmosphere of FF365 and disrupts the efforts of the hard-working call-out volunteers. In my book, that's a capital crime.
Don't worry, though, fake passengers. I won't identify you or your multiple aliases here - that would be cruel - but you know who you are. You were caught out yesterday and today. Your bluffs were called. Giving yourselves fake female identities won't save you, either. Be sure the Mods will find you out. The Pit swallows all.
And the sooner you appreciate the difference that losing the letter 'f' makes to your favourite phrase, 'I'm flying!', the better it will be for us all.