Are Free Companies still relevant?

With crossworld linkshells etc?

As a FC leader, I'd rather SE move away from tying more features to FCs.

Buffs can and should be obtainable from the Grand Companies.

Things like the Airships/Submarines/Workshop etc should be made available for individual player access. For example:

Skysteel Manufactory in Ishgard for Airships
Kugane/Limsa for Submarines

Anecdotally, having played on Tonberry,Levi,Cactuar and now on Balmung, I don't think that besides the FC leader and their inner circle, normal FC members get the benefits of things like Airships or can actively participate in such FC content.