I understand the FD's issue about "eternal fleet carriers". I strongly believe that it is a real issue that needs to be resolved in one way or another. It is my opinion though that upkeep is one of the least desirable ways from a point of player's view.
We (as a community+developer) need to find another way.
My own suggestion is quite simple; if the carrier is not used by any player for a certain time (two weeks, a month?), FC is simply deleted. All ships and all modules are transferred to nearest station.
To not punish an owner that might have had RL issues to deal with and was not able to play; when he comes back he can "revive" the FC. Better said, call upon the FC, which "jumps into" his system after those 15 minutes.
It is a game and gameplay is more important than "believability".
Any other suggestion how to remove upkeep yet have a way to remove inactive FCs?
We (as a community+developer) need to find another way.
My own suggestion is quite simple; if the carrier is not used by any player for a certain time (two weeks, a month?), FC is simply deleted. All ships and all modules are transferred to nearest station.
To not punish an owner that might have had RL issues to deal with and was not able to play; when he comes back he can "revive" the FC. Better said, call upon the FC, which "jumps into" his system after those 15 minutes.
It is a game and gameplay is more important than "believability".
Any other suggestion how to remove upkeep yet have a way to remove inactive FCs?