Came back for a few weeks, tried it out again, got just as fed up in that time as it took me 2 1/2 years to get to last summer. Game just holds zero appeal anymore, even as an occasional time killer. Same BS in the arenas, same crappy gameplay, same changes that don't really change anything.
When I left last summer, I'd hoped it was going to be just temporary, but if anything I think the game has gotten much worse since then, and I can't see it miraculously improving if I wait another 6 months and try again. So this time I'm completely deleting AH and everything that goes with it from my system. I'd probably be selling my stick if I didn't use it for other games that I still enjoy sometimes.
To the few people I did enjoy flying with, and good luck, and I hope you continue to enjoy it. This isn't meant to be an attack on HTC or a call for anyone to "come with me", just saying so long.