wrote:

On the other hand, it's of no practical consequence. Anyone looking at
the email address would guess that the poster's name is R. Faulkiner,
and the FAA online database--which is presumably where Larry looked up
his information--lists only two such pilots, the other of whom has a
commercial certificate. But the FAA doesn't mine r.a.p. in search of
violations, and filing an ASRS form will provide protection in any
event.

Unfortunately, human nature will many times dictate an impression that
determines reaction to something seen without the benefit of a detailed
search for substantiating data.
It would be quite common for a student pilot for example, to simply read
through a post like that, see the reaction from others to the admission
of an error, and even more importantly, envision a punitive action as
the result of admitting an error like this. The result of that could
easily be an unconscious or even a conscious decision not to subject
themselves to possible investigation or penalty down the line, thus
denying both themselves and others any benefit from learning.
It's just not necessary to cause, or even take the chance for causing
someone new to flying to be afraid of reporting something and learning
something from a mistake.
--
Dudley Henriques