Based on this ( http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...UCOB-clears%29 ) thread, Balmung is still ahead any other server in population.

Congestion numbers point Louisoix as the only server to come remotely close to Balmung, and that's because it was a fresh new server with free transfer incentives and bonuses to keep people interested.



Every other server that is considered populated or crowded is sitting on the 15-16k people, while Balmung is at 22k. I don't feel like it might be a good idea to unlock Balmung right now. And I'm not even saying that because of "balmung hate". If you're already sitting at 22 thousand people with a seven months+ lock, I can only imagine what would happen to your server if the gates were to be open as you're suggesting.