I posted my reply just to give the original poster something to test. I usually don't put sub-selects in my joins but If I am desperate I will consider anything...

The point was not the sub-select but weeding records out before they are selected makes sense to me.

I definitely don't have all the answers and a lot of what I do is trial and error...

I do know one thing, I would rather work with someone who is willing to try new things and consider new ideas than someone who is adamant they are right and that is that...