OP, it is a lousy situation, for both players like yourself and for LS leaders. I have a character on your server that is in a very large social linkshell, and the policy has always been to give a pearl to anyone that wants one. You sound like just the sort of player we would welcome. But sadly, we keep filling up, having most of the new members vanish, and then having to reform and repearl -- so the LS leader reluctantly decided to temporarily close recruitment. We filled up quicker than usual after 1.19, but a huge chunk of those new people didn't stay so we are left with a full-of-deadweight linkshell.

After the game becomes P2P, it should be better I would think, since fewer people will be poking their heads in to give the game a try. +1 to improved LS controls though!