Wow, I was kind of surprised when I read this thread.
I had to walk away from the game a few years back. I gotta tell ya I did not miss the MA much but damn I missed FSO. For over well over 100 friday nights I would rush home so could get into the game. Some nights I would call home and my wife would log in for me and get me going. Sometimes I would miss the start and would not be able to play.
But a great many times I made it. Every-time, rather in the air or on the ground I rooted for my squad and looked up the results of nights mission. The squads website tracked what we did in FSO together. Every time my squad backed me when I flew. (And trust me I suck at this game) and understood when I couldn't. Now I am trying to get back and find a new squad and go again. And then I see this thread.
I am a little surprised about the one hour discussion. In FSO we have people coming together from all across the US Canada Europe to share in a common experience that we all enjoy so much. With the wide a birth we have to have a balance on when we start so we can make it happen.
1 hour earlier gets more engaged I would say do it. I read a post that said start two at 7 and one at 8. heck that is brilliant.
Start the first at 8 and the next two at 7 we get more people up and most battles start small and build anyway, so it actually makes since.
We could also allow a longer time frame to up so that people in the west could still join if they are running late. That would be the second wave of planes into battle. ( we are Californians we have an expectation to be treated better.)
Try it and see if we increase.
Keep em flying