Great post by 'Seasider' there, and can I just highlight the use of that word 'supporters'. Many contributors actually work or have a background in the industry and do not view an airport in the manner one might support a football team. In my case, I have been analysing commercial aviation (and particularly civil airports) industry-wide for about 35 years. To do this successfully one needs a broad knowledge of UK airports generally. Of course I do wish success upon my 'local' airport, but not to the exclusion of the rest of the industry. I actually have good friends working at airports around the country (including BHX) and wish them all to enjoy a prosperous future.
Amongst those outside the industry, one does sometimes encounter what comes across as quite an alien mindset: how dare you visit / comment on [insert airport name] when you're from [insert different city name]. This approach seems illogical to me; it is a good thing to be more broad-minded and tolerant, even if outsiders sometimes highlight an issue which may be seen as a 'sore point' locally.
Following exchanges on here over the last couple of days, I would like to make one thing completely clear to those in doubt. My recent postings on this thread contain NO criticism of BHX or the City of Birmingham at all. None. Not my M.O. Quite the opposite, in fact (check back for yourselves). I've also not in recent memory commented on BHX gaining or losing any route (out of 'envy' or any other motive). And if I do so it will be to add insight / commentary from a professional perspective. Goading and triumphalism is best confined to the football terraces in my view.
I do pick up on factual errors and address them on any forum, but not in the manner of having a dig. In answer to that question: "how would you like it if we did that on your forum?" I say two things. I don't have a forum. These forums belong to Aviador and his staff ... they are kindly provided for us all to use as guests so we can exchange ideas and learn from each other. Many contributors work in the industry but across different specialisations, so the knowledge-base is broad. None of us alone have all the answers, hence why the forum format is so useful. On the second point, I would say YES, if you can make an informed contribution to a forum covering another airport then please do so. Absolutely. Why ever not?
Perhaps a good first step would be to not automatically presume mischief or trolling when a poster who resides close to a 'rival airport' comments on a hot topic. We all know that does happen sometimes, but many contributors offer a much broader perspective and do not post on the basis of rivalry. Attempts to chase them off in favour of a closed local clique will devalue the knowledge we are able to share and (in some cases) keep us uninformed.
Ultimately, we need to decide whether we want an '[airport name] supporters club' or a well-informed knowledge exchange welcoming all contributors. Some do favour the former; I will always promote the latter. If in doubt, read my earlier posts again and see for yourselves whether they are critical of BHX or the city of Birmingham. There's nothing there. Only a factual correction to a misinformed comment about Manchester. Nothing which should inflame when read with a cool head.
