Business 101: It costs more to get new subscribers than it does to keep existing ones.
Seems to me that Hitech is risking damage to his existing customer base and betting on making up whatever he loses with new subs. I reckon he knows what direction he wants to bring this game in.

Sure, its his business. Yes, it is vibrant and profitable (I think?). But so was Warbirds. I say this to remind you that bad business decisions can cripple a business.
Anyway, my biggest gripe with all these changes is that to me, they seem to be going in the opposite direction from what he markets this game as. I really wish it were not so...
His television commercial says to join the "war torn skies of World War II." Huh? World War II???
Were the Rooks fighting the Bish in WWII? Were La-7's opposing P-51D's? Were Typhoons going up against Spitfires? Were the sides perfectly even? Were only specific bases open to capture? (Maybe that particular aspect of the "experiment" is to prepare us for the Vietnam version of Aces High?)...Argh!
On top of all that, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the game for most people is the community. If all we wanted to do was fly alone we would all be playing box games and not online MMGs. Its the community that creates the backdrop for enjoyable gameplay. If you don't think so turn off your in-game voice and play "alone". My bet is you will quickly tire of it.
Squads and the close relations that they spawn are integral to this kind of community experience. Now with the "queue" a fragmentation of that close-knit group is all but inevitable. This has the effect of ripping the "heart" out of the game and that can't be good for business.
Overall, its getting a very "gamey" feel to it and its not pleasant.
David