I don't think length of service should signify automatic rank, nor number of kills.

Let's face it, if you've been a member for five years played 10,000 games and won 1,000 then on evey ranking system suggested so far (except mine) then you'll have the highest rank.

BUT at a kill rate of 1 in 10 you're actually a useless pilot and shouldn't be promoted.

Do you know what we should do about ranks on this site - not have any. That way we're all equal, and we'll let the computer decide who is more equal than others.

Of course this means that no-one needs to do anything and we can all relax and just continue playing games - seems reasonable to me.