Craig, it's clear that we each have our own viewpoint on what a spool operation is and whether all operations carried out by SQL server show up in query plans, and we are not going to agree on those things any more that we are going to agree on what the original meaning of "Halloween Problem" was and whether the adoption by some people of a broad meaniong should has led to a situation where that broad meaning is standard. I didn't want to get into a personal conflict, and I certainly didn't set out to give offence, but it's clear that you were offended by what I wrote, and I have to accept responsability for that effect of what I wrote, so I'm sorry this discussion has turned out as it has, and I apologize for any offense given.