Steve has given a lot of thebackground to the 'issues' with the LAA forum. It is a huge shame that the attitudes are so inflexible and dogmatic - but the PFA was always 'an old man's organisation' in the sense that committee positions and attitudes were orientated that way.
The change in name was supposed to demonstrate a more open, inclusive and wider approach - but
PR is easy, changing the people will probably be the only way for the walk to match the talk.
I have been a PFA/LAA member for some 36 years. I saddens me to see an organisation that seems be unwiling/unable trust its members and allow them to speak and yes, at times be critical.
Not met too many of the hierachy but their actions lead one to think they maybe a collection of paranoid control freaks. Likely the problem extends a wee bit further than just whether or not you can post on the LAA with a pseudonym.
Effective moderation does provide a measure of control over what appears on a forum. I am a viewer/contibutor to several aviation forums where all seems to work fairly well. Why will that not work on the LAA Forum? I can think of no reason.
They are keen to tell the world how wonderful their magine is: same can certainly not be said of their forum which is dry, dusty and very under utilised.
Planemike