I tend to agree with what Redd said near the top of this thread.
It seems that there is some kind of "critical number" in the MA, when the whole attitude suddenly seems to change dramatically.
At the times i am able to play i usually experience three different population stages:
1. Early EURO time (before lunch), around 60-80 people in the MA
Pro: Friendly chat, after a few times you recognize most guys flying along you and after a few more times you also know the guys you flying against
Contra: Finding a fight can be frustrating, one just spends much time burning fuel for nothing
Comment:surprisingly the MA in that timezone still looks the same as 2 years ago when i left AH, it almost feels as if there is no change
2. Afternoon EURO time, around 150-200
Pro: chat usually is friendly, with just a few guys complaining, you may not recognize anybody around but you usually "have a heard" of most guys after a while, finding a fight is way easier than in 1., but Hordes are rarely seen
Contra: only drawback of this timezone is when one country almost equals the two others in strength, i noticed that a few times with the knights, cause to EUROs the knights seem somewhat more attractive than the bishops/rooks, why i don't know
3. Late EURO time, population >300
Pro: Fights everywere, no problem in finding adversaries
Contra: Horde mentality all around, it's either being jumped by X or jumping a red icon with X, fights between equal numbers almost non existing, chat is full of trash talking and you don't know most people
Comment: This is the least enjoyable time to fly for me, balanced fights are almost non-existent and if you find one, the average "hordist" usually turns around and tries to make it back to his crowd
If you chose to joust then don't ***** about head ons.
Fully agreed Wotan.
