A lot of reading, so little info.
It seems a lot of people worry about large Squads, saying the "quality" of pilots is in some way harmed by the idea of mass recruiting? If the large squads don't have quality, why complain? It would seem to me that this situation would make life simpler for those that fly carefully and consider RTB to be a good term, rather than a weakness or "cowardice".
As far as communications, we have a lot of options. I would like to see a Squad name search to locate by squadron name, and other options. I know that in the Claim Jumpers we have a standard text and vox channel, but would like to see the "squad" channel allow all in squadron, not just the wing. But, you must also remember that having more than about a dozen squad members on a channel causes a number of difficulties, mostly many different Ops going on at the same time, social chat by some while others are in a tight situation requiring coordination, and such.
Putting limits on Squad size can be circumvented, in any case. People would simply build closed missions between "different" squadrons, or devise other systems. As far as hoards, at least in the Claims Jumpers, even on squad nights we tend to have some on a main mission, some in small ops, and a number of roamers. Although I don't fly a lot of primetime, when I do I am usually either roaming or working with other squad members on wingman tactics, communications systems, or general social runs that hit and run so as to allow watermelon chat more than fighting.
One of the reasons that I joined the Claim Jumpers is that Racdogg understood that I do roam, even to other countries when the numbers are too unbalanced, and I am here partially for the "skilled game", but also for fun. I can't believe the whining that I hear about "unrealistic" play by people that die a dozen time a day, HO knowing they are simply rolling the dice, ram because "I'm low on fuel anyway", bomb and bail, etc.
This is a game, with all sorts, all skills, all reasons. When we complain about how others view or play the game, it seems we lose track of a basic fact: It is the number of people that fly here that allows for the game to exist, as it takes money to keep improving and just running this SIM. IMNSVHO, this is the best simulation online, and may be for the foreseeable future.
Fly your way, do your thing, enjoy your time, and allow others the same. I complain and squeak about things sometimes, but I always try to remember this is a game, and want all to be here next month.
Have fun all
Dashe
