Time to zap Gavin's alert key in the next release (I assume but to not know that it is still there.) A discussion on replacement(s) should be undertaken.
I would like just to confirm that the alert key is there. I as well have thought about this (as I have defended him in the past). The decision of keeping it should be re-evaluated.
Judging from the miners vote right now, BIP100 is gaining traction while XT is going to 0% (even Slush abandoned it).
It would be a mistake to get rid of the alert key. And it is clear that the alert key has not been misused in the past.
Considering the necessity for miner's consensus, and considering how many miners are still using prehistoric versions of QT, we need a way to contact them.