I agree with the poster who noted that LiveATC.net is a "double edged sword." I've been with the site for many years, and while I'm happy to see it grow among in popularity among aviators, controllers, and enthusiasts (a reward for Dave's hard work), I assume there's a notable spike in members/listeners after major incidents caught by our volunteer feeders (Cactus 1549, Colgan,) to name a few recent ones.
If I were a news reporter looking for the next "scoop," I would be monitoring a site like this regularly. Undoubtedly there are some among us. They are welcome here, by Dave's prerogative. My point? This is not just a small site/discussion board where a handful of members or fans muse over interesting/informative/entertaining clips any more. There's a wider audience, and we can see if everyone's updated the survey on what type of listener they are.
Looking back to some clips everyone enjoyed from years ago, though, I'd imagine some would generate some media "column inches." For example, a controller proposing to his girlfriend over the air many years ago...there were no suspensions. No "What if there was an emergency while he was speaking?" No "he broke the rules." No public outcry. (and please, nobody start a riot over this)...
That was a different time, and today, it's probably wise to take a second and think about the consequences of our posts. Who knows who may be reading/listening, and as we have seen in the past and now, things that are posted here can have real consequences on real people.
This is not to say LiveATC caused the current situation, but what could have been a quiet FAA investigation into misconduct now has to ability to sell some papers. It's got audio to go with it (It was the #1 CNN.com story, above the deadly Chilean earthquake). Now it's out. So the FAA has to take action and heads must roll. Now the NATCA is forced to respond with a public statement. Dave has to be contacted for his comment....and on and on....
It's a different time. Time to go find the next scoop.
*Here's one reporter who's obviously well aware of our recent conversation here...
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/03/06/2010-03-06_pilots_high_on_controller_in_jfk_mess.html