ksanuk,
from our experience, it rarely spills over into the main forums. we just implemented it as a 3-strike plan. you get 2 trips to 'alcatraz', before the hammer drops.
we used to do the heavy handed ban, but they are paying money for being there now and we try to allow a little more headroom.
another thing is that the 'offending' thread is sometimes moved into an 'evidence' forum (hidden from all), to back up reasons and give a history to incidents that eventually result in a ban.
i might have mis-typed, when i implied 'cat-fights'. what usually happens is the person lands in alcatraz and goes "wtf, why am i here?" they get an explanation as to why and are then allowed to be penitent and/or accept their temporary status.
alcatraz goes further to temporarily suspend their PM and Search capabilities (if they had them). so it's really like being in jail.
