twitchy, HiTech is doing this test to bring the big maps back into play. Even you have to admit that if the big maps just went up with 200 players or so things would get so spread out that most people who thought they were signing up for a combat sim would be bored to tears. Thefore, I see the wisdom in what he's trying to accomplish even though I don't agree with the implementation. That being said, let's hear some ideas that accomplish this goal but still allow for individual styles of play including yours and those you accuse of "crying".
BTW, I remembered why there were always furballs in the Valley of the Dweebs in the original Air Warrior. It was because the two bases on either side of the VOD were the two closest enemy bases on the map, therefore those who liked to fight, not just fly naturally gravitated to the VOD while the strategists had the rest of the map to play with. I'm not normally a furballer (but occasionally am) but I can still vividly remember some of the fights I got into in the VOD. Funny how you can remember that stuff 10 years later. Some of those were the best fights I've ever been involved in and I think if done right HiTech's plan can bring back that type of memorable experience. Not that I never milk-run but who remembers that milk run that you took even one year ago?