very interesting ideas snubby,and I know what it was like when I first started trying to run missions as the "NEW GUY",I just could not get people to join except my squadmates.And you want frustration...Try making a mission against GHI,even now,and response will usually be low numbers.. GHI..
I agree that getting people to join missions can be tough at times,I have more than once deleted a mission,as I am sure every mission planner has,because of low turnout,but it may just be that everyone is working on something else,and yet,one can put up the SAME mission 5 minutes later,and get all kinds of people in the mission..
Snubby,as far as some of your ideas.
A..sounds like a great idea,and I am suprised that it does not work that way currently.
B..A bit tougher to deal with,as I am one of those who does a last 5 minute countdown on the minute,in caps,by saying 5 MIN WARNING,and every minute therafter until mission starts.I would not want an auto text buffer message,as I can just imagine 2-3 missions being up,and texts coming up..sounds like a bit of confusion..I am not only speaking to people who have joined the mission,but speaking to those who may of been so busy fighting that they missed it.I know,as I have been doing something in game,only to see at the last minute someone on the text buffer say,2 minutes left for mission.
C.. Sounds good,but honestly,I enjoy,as thundregg does,I imagine,when someone wants a different plane than what is in the plane set,finding it myself,and by doing so in the missions planner,seeing its full capabilitys,and making a mental note of that plane,and load-out,and fuel requirements.
And many times,someone will ask for a particular plane,and I will try and put that plane in,sometimes only 2 of them,as I want most people in the rides I have listed.
And as thundregg said,I like it when someone who knows a plane I may have in mission,is giving me CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM as to what fuel should be,etc..etc..It is what finally got me to edit out P-51's on NOE missions:rofl
Kevin