As someone who wouldn’t be eligible to post in the proposed new forum ………
I think a forum for airline pilots to discuss matters which affect airline pilots is an excellent idea. 
I’d prefer (self-interest) if it was open for the rest of us to read and learn, but can see good arguments both ways.
Other roles in the industry have their own forums. They aren't restricted - but they don’t suffer from the problem of unqualified people ruining discussions by posting uninformed, and often provocative, drivel which detracts and distracts from the discussion. For some reason I’ve never understood, it seems every man and his dog feels able to express an opinion upon what professional pilots should or shouldn't do in given circumstances.
I’m not sure I’m qualified to express any opinion on who should be allowed to post but, FWIW as an enthusiastic Ppruner and ‘outsider’ –
Anyone in the industry?
No. Although some nuisance posts are from outside, they are often from people in the industry – one group in particular seem to me as an objective observer to have chips on their shoulders about pilots. If the gates are opened too widely, even within the industry, it will achieve little or nothing - and not reduce the silly 'Who do pilots think they are' type of posts.
Retired airline pilots?
It would be a terrible waste to exclude people with maybe 25-30 years experience to offer. Surely someone will be able to vouch for their status, even if they no longer hold an ATPL.
ATCOs?
I can see the force of the argument.
Engineers?
I no longer understand what is meant by ‘Engineer’. Maybe Flight Engineers only – although there aren’t many of those left.
Cabin Crew?
There’s already an active forum for CC. If the ‘read only’ option is chosen, any cabin attendants wishing to learn about flying will be able to do so by reading discussions between pilots. If they have a question, they can ask it on one of the appropriate forums.
Wannabe pro pilots?
PPRuNe already has two superb forums for Wannabes. They can learn about operational matters by reading if the ‘read only’ option is chosen, and can ask questions on other forums.
PPLs? As a PPL myself - No, for the same reasons.
ChewyTheWookie
“It seems to me that certain people just want to have their own little private members club so they can feel they are better than everyone else.”
Oh dear, your chip is showing. 
Apologies for being blunt but IMHO that attitude provides a useful illustration of one of the reasons why a separate forum is a very good idea.
Please forgive me again for being a little blunt but, at 23 with a new PPL/50 hours, a couple of years as CC with BA and an enthusiasm for MS FlightSim (albeit with the B737 and A340 add-ons you recommend), I’m surprised you think you have anything to contribute to the specific type of forum proposed – professional pilots discussing flying issues. As a fellow PPL, I strongly recommend reading and learning from what the pros post and, if you have a specific question, asking it on an open forum relevant to the question. PPRuNe is a goldmine of information for PPLs like us. I’ve never found professional pilots (on PPRuNe or elsewhere) to be anything other than extremely helpful and patient when asked questions - but I’ve never presumed to offer them the 'benefit' of my opinions on flying issues.
Your comment also seems curiously at odds with your attitude towards a BA employee (non CC) who dared to express an opinion in a discussion in the CC forum concerning BA CC going sick. You disagreed with him (fair enough) but:
"X, you are clearly a very ignorant person so I am going to go through things simply for you."
and
“I am quite interested to know what X is actually doing in this thread. He is clearly not cabin crew or a pilot.
Hardly the 'open to all' approach you now advocate?
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 4th May 2006 at 16:17.