Hmmm, you may be right about that. Some of the "small" maps still have things spaced out pretty far apart, like a sector and a half between airfields. Anyway, the perception I always have in MW is "where is everyone?" When I do find the other players, they're usually in gv's trying to sneak a base. So much fun.
But I haven't tried MW in a while...maybe I'll stop in sometime just to see. 
Heya Anaxogoras, I switched from LW to MW about 3 months ago. Since then I have always been able to find a fight when I am on, and the teamwork (on ALL 3 teams I must say) is superb! Yeah, you still get some of the BS you get in LW, but that's because its GLOBAL BS... you will find it in just about any arena. From about midday into late evening, you will find an average of 25 - 30 players in MW. More at times, less at others. True... they may be only 2 or 3 bases that your team has the opportunity to find action at at any one time, but it allows the players that are on to work more as a team, and get to know one another better... and that goes across team lines too.
For me, it's easier to learn the flying style of certain opponents when there arent 100 of them to fly against. Yes, I fly against Nisr, AKAK, xtiger, AKYankee and others... but after awhile, you get to know them almost as well as your teammates and squaddies. You just know them from the viewpoint of an opponent... and from my standpoint, I respect them.
So yes... let me extend a personal invite to you from MW. Not saying its better than LW... its just different. Hope you drop in and see us.