I dunno the last time this was suggested, but what are the chances of allowing players to access the same AI as the NPC trader bots?

Seems like it would be a boon for pirates as much as traders.

You set a course, and the ship travels sub-turbo to the station.

Now, it would be slower, but for people who had things to do, it would keep them logged in. They'd still have to check back and buy goods as well as set a new course. They would be more vulnerable. Pirates might attack while they were AFK.

This would allow escort players to have jobs.

But it would also leave a number of players logged in most of the time, which would be nice for newer players to see.

When it comes down to it, aside from the actual buying and selling, trading is awfully boring. With exceptions being when there's actual danger.

So let traders do the fun stuff. And allow people to add immersion to the community by virtue of just being there.

That would be interesting; however, I think the current convoys patch is providing some of this (more for pirates and escorts to do). Also, and perhaps more importantly, Guild Software may not want a whole lot of people (a large percentage of the player base) logged in a lot of the time later in the life of the game, and player bases in general usually react badly to the removal of features. I agree it would be a very good addition for now. I am just trying to think if it would still be a good feature to have in the future.

At what point(s) could a player stop auto-pilot?
Would new players be happier to see more people logged on even if none of them responded?

As long as I don't explode on asteroids, or continually butt my head against a station ala Station Guards, or do other stupid AI tricks, I approve.

But could we do it while logged in ONLY? That only makes sense.

You know this will lead to the whole beacon/waypoint/marker buoy discussion again, Shape.. right?