They're coming, and not the brick-and-mortar type. Virtual communities at each and every US airport are just days away on FlightCentral. And it's time for you to get started right now. Here's the scoop.
A new feature at FlightCentral.net will create a virtual airport community for every airport. From the airport page, a button will click you right in. On these new pages you will be able to see everyone who has listed the particular airports as their home fields. You can communicate in the community via the airport's blog, its dedicated chat window, or via PMs (private messages). Additionally, each airport will have a classifieds section and community calendar.
This web2.0ish enhancement is truly user controlled - some airport communities will turn out to be vibrant and busy while others will remain largely idle.
You won't have to be a gregarious sort to take advantage of the new communities. Imagine that you're going to a new airport and want to check out tiedown options and restaurants. What better way than to ask the locals? Just go to the Airport's page in FlightCentral, click the "Community" button and ask away of the folks who actually call the airport home.
To prepare for this new feature (which is just days away...) go to the "Control Panel" page and select the "General Info" option. Along with your other information you will see two boxes. These allow you to become an active part of the community at the airport you have chosen as your home base. Check one or both of the boxes. That is it - that's all you have to do.
Now of course the issue of privacy has to be considered. As a community member, people will not see your real name or any other of your personal data. They will see either your first name and initials or your "nickname". (If you want your real name to be shown, set your nickname to be your full, real name.)
Let me stress this - none of your personal information will be shown in the community, not even your email address. People can PM you securely, but cannot email you directly. It is totally safe and you control your own involvement.
Go to the "Settings" page and click the box that will allow you to participate in the community. Do it right now.
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4 comments:
While I certainly like the per-airport community, I also see tremendous value (perhaps more) in a "local area" community. For example, as someone who flies in the Pacific Northwest, most of my local questions relate to the areas as a whole, rather than just one airport. So, as well as airport communities, I hope you can define communities for specific areas.
Thanks.
Mark
Hello, Mark. I think if you consider your "own" community as simply your home base, the virtual extension into other communities is relatively seamless.
You can freely go to other airports and interact with community members there, just as you can in your own home community.
Now, having said all that, if I missed your point, please toss it out here again and let us give some thought as to how it would be done.
Here's one way to respond to your question Russ :-) I use this site a lot (daily):
http://www.pacificnorthwestflying.com/index.php?board=1.0
Even if there was a forum for Renton (my home airport) I doubt I would ever use it since this broader site is more relevant. If I have a specific question related to Renton (very rare) I'd simple open a thread about Renton.
Two cents...
Ah, ok, I see where you are coming from, Mark. Let me say that the airport communities are not message forums. These will be something a little different. There are already a dirth of message forums. We won't be creating a new one.
When we introduce the communities, check it out, then you can help us tweak it.
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