Oh I agree I was there and let down, remember the airship exploratory missions came well before diadem did, and still not able to fly in a group around on the airship, even at the least in the area, I too was a bit let down by it, and the gear was pretty great, but then it was too good apparently since it made raiding slightly pointless, The fun factor, youre definately right. Gathering parties are slightly more entertaining but again the nodes drop only 4 or 5 items, half of which can be mined with less danger in the hinterlands tbh.