Originally Posted by Twinact
If military aircrew wish to have a similar private forum where we can discuss relevant topics, just like the civvies[...] where's the problem?
Cui bono?
The civ forums allow people working in the same company to discuss in-house matters away from the gaze of people outside their company. Fair enough; the security may be adequate for that purpose (but don't count on it), and any likely harm from Ryanair (say) picking up (say) bmibaby's gossip would be limited.
Different resources are employed by those wishing to eavesdrop on "in-house" discussions among mil aircrew, and the consequences more serious. A closed forum presents two challenges:
- False sense of security. The "private" nature of the forum might encourage some people to discuss stuff they'd not discuss in earshot of others at the Rat and Parrot.
- Redundancy. If everyone rightly treats the private forum as if it were public, for security reasons, then what's the point? The public mil forum might wither if all the discussions end up on the private one, and that'd be a loss to those contemplating a career in military aviation, as well as to civilians who are well-disposed to military aviation (whom God preserve).
adr