A Run in with a Star

"Gary Drescher" wrote in message
...
There we go again-----What the he** is KMQJ? Use the name, please?

Sorry Jim, but I don't see the point. If you're unfamiliar with the
airport, the name will likely be as meaningless to you as the identifier
is.

First of all, that's a false assumption. I can't speak for every other
pilot, but I know that around here where I fly, there are a number of
airports that I know by name, but not by identifier. I don't even live in
an area where there's a huge number of airports. I can't imagine memorizing
the identifiers for every airport in Southern California, for example.

Plus, if you're interested, you can instantly find the name, location, and
description just by googling the identifier.

Secondly, this is an issue of courtesy to the reader (as is a number of
other things, such as correct spelling and grammar, quoting style,
formatting, etc.). The person writing the identifier presumably already
knows the name of the airport. It's trivial for them to write the actual
name instead of or in addition to.

Yes, the reader can look them identifier up, but it's more trouble and it
interrupts the flow of actually *reading* the post. Presumably, the point
of having written the post is to have it read, so it behooves the author to
make the act of reading as pain-free as possible, especially when doing so
involves practically NO additional effort on the author's part.

Frankly, I'm a bit surprised to see you of all people defending the practice
of writing coded Usenet posts. You always seemed more insightful than that.


Pete