+1 on committers getting access to common+hdfs+mr. Thanks for putting up the comprehensive pros and cons Chris. It makes it so I don't have to think.
The only CON that gives me pause is item 3). but my guess is that its unlikely and that if it should ever happen, as a community, we'd figure some way around (over/under) the roadblock. For those who might be strong on HDFS but not on MR (or vice-versa), I think its OK having 'privileges' though you may not exercise them. In being nominated for committer status, a nominee has probably passed the baseline common sense test that has it that they'll NOT be applying patches in areas they do not well-understand. St.Ack
