As a suggestion, I'd like some form of automated timed-out/countdown function, with a countdown clock so users can see when the thred unlocks.
As a couple of examples:
The ticket exchange thread. Barney Rubble could set up a ticket exchange for 'X' game, but set it up anything up to 48 hours before it's due to open - one week before the game + 48 hours - and just let it run it's course on a countdown clock, for all to see.
When the countdown clock reaches zero, the thread automatically opens without any extra input from Barney.
It would work on many levels. It would mean that Barney Wouldn't get hassled all the time to open a new ticket exchange for 'X' game, as long as he's already set it up, and it would also mean anyone looking in knows exactly when the ticket exchange on that game opens, as they can see the countdown clock, on screen.
The same kind of thing would apply to contentious threads where the thread gets over heated, with hot heads.
If a thread reaches boiling point, a mod could add anything from 1, 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 hour lock, on a countdown timer for all to see, and when the countdown reaches zero, the thread automatically unlocks itself.
As the mod locks it and adds the countdown, the mod explains why it was locked, and for people not to repeat the same patern.
Basically it fires a shot across everyones bow who was in there at the time spouting off or acting the fool, and gives everyone an automated cooling off period, before the thread reopens itself.
Obviously some threads need to be locked permanantly due to some content, but in the main, most threads that are locked could well have mileage in them, when people have cooled down, but the mods are sometimes not arsed to reopen them, as their too heavy to clean up, or excessively moderate.
I'm sick of seeing good threads locked, just because two individual hot-heads want to go into rutting season, and bang heads.
other than that, maybe I just like dramatic countdown clocks.