Airport codes

[VPS]

I can't remember whether it was before the change in the platform for AFF but if there was an airport code if you hovered over it then it gave you the name of the airport. This isn't working for me atm and I used to enjoy it because it saves looking them all up

TIA

 

[rainbowgirl]

I like that feature. I can't remember when it disappeared. I don't think it worked for every airport code however and occasionally it turned a legitimate 3 letter word into an airport code in error.

 

[VPS]

Yep - I've been meaning to ask about for ages especially with all the end of year reports and new airports

 

[support]

This feature was enabled through an add-on in vBulletin (before the switch). We do have an add-on we are testing currently to bring back this functionality, but choosing an appropriate list is the hard part.

For the most part, we believe that basic IATA acronyms like SYD, MEL & BNE don't really need to be included. The same could be said for LAX, LHR & JFK. This being said, we then don't want to add extremely rare IATA codes such as KTM, BXG & YYY as these may be so infrequently used that it's not that useful. My view is that slightly more complex acronyms such as DONE4 are the right route to go, and these acronyms are less likely to mess with an otherwise legitimate word and are used frequently enough with some confusion for newer members that a tooltip when hovering could be useful.

So I thank you @VPS for bringing this thread up, and invite you and @rainbowgirl and @RooFlyer (among others) to leave your own feedback on the above, and perhaps provide some acronyms to get the list going. Something important to remember is that we can't list every acronym under the sun – not because we don't want a page littered with tooltips, though this would look messy – but because every page this runs on will add an extra load to the server.

 

[codash1099]

A problem with the previous system was a tendency to interpret innocent three letter words as airport codes. For example, the word "sea" could be interpreted as either a vast area of water or Seattle-Tacoma Airport.

You could avoid this to some extent by requiring that the airport be capitalized, but even this may not be fail-safe.

 

[support]

You could avoid this to some extent by requiring that the airport be capitalized, but even this may not be fail-safe.

We are able to require case sensitivity, however not all members follow this when posting.

The main issue is choosing the list – and I really need to emphasise that it can't be an exhaustive list, but needs to be quite focused. We have an abbreviations and explanations thread (and wiki) for the complete list.

There are other important considerations as the more times a word is identified the higher the load on the server. It's also important to note that there is currently no support in the wiki, so while the Lounge Meets posts may have tooltips, the wiki will not (at this stage).

It is also possible to do text replacement, i.e. MEL > Melbourne Airport. But that's probably less useful.

 

[VPS]

Can you point me in the direction of the wiki for the complete list please - I had a look but can't find it

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks support. I think you could be selective, focusing on the airports whose code isn't intuitive - like the Canadian ones , Japan, Russia, third world major ports etc.

Happy to work up a list to get things going. About how many do you think you'd want to implement in the end?

 

[support]

Can you point me in the direction of the wiki for the complete list please - I had a look but can't find it

Certainly – Wiki - Abbreviations and explanations

 

[support]

Limited testing has begun, but not with airport codes, e.g. HUACA & SSSS.

 

[VPS]

@RooFlyer are you happy to continue doing the list of airports - are you able to type with two hands now

 

[RooFlyer]

Have done a list (I got a bit keen, and its over 200 long ) but I'm learning that implementing it to any great extent is fraught with issues for the site.

 

[RooFlyer]

And @support ... I didn't read your post #4 properly, hence my list of airport codes rather than acronyms ...

Don't forget YMWSTMBICNPC and DYKWIA, obviously!

 

[support]

Don't forget YMWSTMBICNPC

Searching Google, the only 2 results (barring this thread depending on index speed) were in the TOTT from 2016 and don't reveal the actual definition. As such, it is perhaps not necessary, but even I do not know what that stands for.

ISTR it's something along the lines of "you might well say that but I couldn't possibly comment".

 

[serfty]

It is also possible to do text replacement, i.e. MEL > Melbourne Airport. But that's probably less useful

.... and certainly play havoc with the abbreviation for "minimum equipment list"!

 

[RooFlyer]

Searching Google, the only 2 results (barring this thread depending on index speed) were in the TOTT from 2016 and don't reveal the actual definition. As such, it is perhaps not necessary, but even I do not know what that stands for.

ISTR it's something along the lines of "you might well say that but I couldn't possibly comment".

Yeah, sorry, that post should have had a '' or '' in it.

"You May Well Say That Mattie, But I Could Not Possibly Comment" is a line from UK House of Cards series. Variations omitting the 'M' or putting a different initial there, also omitting the B 'but', depending on the recollection of the poster! I've seen it 3 or 4 times over the years but definitely not worth taking up site functionality real estate!

 

[support]

.... and certainly play havoc with the abbreviation for "minimum equipment list"!

Exactly the point to make about choosing the list very carefully.