It seems to me from observation that tourney and monthly rankings are not affected when someone forfeits a tourney game or quits a tournament, is that correct?

That is what I have observed as well.  I personally think that it's unfair because only some players get points off the player then when they quit the rest of the players in the tournament get short changed out of their potential points and that player is also taking away their chance to get some points back as they learn the board as well!  If they join they should not be let off the hook by surrendering.  That just encourages quitting and not actually learning to play the tournament they've joined!  Also, they probably just drew a top player off the mark and got discouraged by that.  If they stuck it out they'd probably find more enjoyable games later on when they went up against similarly skilled players.

Thanks, berickf, and I agree in the unfairness factor

Thanks, berickf, and I agree in the unfairness factor