Originally posted by Roscoroo
same here i want a P-40 spot too.
Just so folks are prepared, the way I handle the sign up process is kind of like this:
First I get the command staff's set. CO, XO, and at least half the group/squadron leaders if possible.
The command team will then be able to pre-register about 25% of the force pool. This ensures a foundation where there's balanced skill on each side. It also means that when general registration opens, folks can see that there's skill players on each side.
Open registration happens next. I usually have people select 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices. First come, first serve is the usual rule. But ... I will not allow the event to become lopsided. This is especially crucial in Pacific events because the planes are so different. Most people will want to fly the Allied planes - for sentimental reasons, and the obvious other reasons. I will fill the sides fill proportionally. It should work out to about 2:1 IJA:Allies ... so for every 2 IJA players I assign, I'll assign 1 Allied.
I may allow squads to sign up for one side or the other with a couple of provisions. First, is that the ratio is preserved. So if a squad of 20 wants to sign up for Allies, I need two squads of 20 signing up for IJA before I allow this to happen. Next is that these squads realize that I will *NOT* allow them to operate as a unit within the team. You can have a flight from your squadron in each group on the side, but I don't want Main Arena politics to infect the event. The squad pre-registration would happen while the CO's are picking their 25% pre-reg.
I know this sounds kind of harsh or rigid, but this is a formula that has worked well in the past. Pacific events are the most sensitive to skill imbalances. Both sides need to have representation of the different styles (BnZ and TnB) and both sides *WILL* have less experienced players in their ranks. I will not stick the IJA with all the people who've never flown a scenario before.
For the Allies, this means you better take the inexperienced people under your wings and train them. Because you can least afford to lose planes.
The other reason I like to mix people up is that it's a much better learning experience. The guys who drive P51s and D9s in the MA may never spend as much time in a Zeke as they will in this event - they may even come to like TnB. And the same goes the other way - the Spit and N1K drivers who always whine about Runstangs may find an appreciation for BnZ when they drive a P40 for 6 weeks.
