One thing that would help, but require massive redesign and balancing, is to change party size.

4 person parties are just too small.

Needs to be 6/12/36 player content.
4/8/24 doesnt really work that well.

If we're forced to 1H(ealer), 1T(ank), 2D(PS) we have to assume that as many people play healers and tanks as do DPS, and that is nowhere near accurate.

If there are 10 healers, 10 tanks, and 40 dps in queue, under current parties, that leaves 20 dps just standing around.

If it was 1T,1H,4D, everyone would get in.

It wouldnt fix the problem, but it would lessen the symptoms.

FFXI has done 6/12/18+ content forever and rarely felt as brutal to get in as a dps...

Then again, I just finished leveling SCH/SMN, and geared my recently finished PLD, to go with my BRD/DRG/MNK i already had leveled.

And as a middle of the road player, not casual, not hardcore, I have 4 DPS, 1 Tank, and 1 Healer.... leveled.