I can't speak for the crowd, but when I think of engaging a bandit, it is not only the considerations of fighting HIM that go through my mind, but whether or not I am likely to down the bandit in a timely manner before my commitment to that particular engagement has made me hopelessly vulnerable to being cornered by superior numbers or saddled by a much superior angles fighter taking advantage of the situation. In situations that just seem odd-like a bandit refusing to engage in what seems to be a similar-aircraft co-E 1v1-you must ask yourself whether they are being extremely timid or have simply been taught over and over that to commit in the MA is often to be saddled, picked, or ganged. Let me say, it might be better, even ideal, if the policy was to let two combatants who were locked in a "duel" go at it to the finish, but it is NOT that way and flying as if it were mostly yields only frustration, at least in my experience.
Which doesn't ever bring up landgrabbery, another subject entirely.
At least your in the fight ! Sure your K/D may be more important, or your squad op mission may be more important, but your still in the fight with those parameters. Mission are great as long as your willing to work for the goal, FIGHT for it ! These guys go out of their way to AVOID the fights, and admit that when one pops up they go someplace else ! Thats not to point of the game.
Animl, this isn't a real war, the same rules don't apply. If I see a guy in a 1 vs 1 I'll ask if he wants help, if he says no, I stay out of it. The other day I asked one guy, and he said no. I was circling over head watching the fight from 3-4k out and noticed he was loosing ( other guy had gotten his 6). I asked again with, "are you sure you don't need help, your suppose to get them in front of you to shoot them". After a laugh he said no and I continued on my way to the front. Thats the kind of think we use to see all the time, respect the guys wishes even when they are loosing. Its how I would like people to treat me if they happen to fly over. Also, if after fighting one guy for 10 minutes and I'm not doing so good, I'd rather see the guy who beat me get the kill than some cherry picker that came booming through at the end.
Just a little class, Just a little honor........ I know, I know.... "It's just a game!"