First off, Aetherships shouldn't be for everyone, it should require a decent sized investment, and a good amount of consideration... Really all you need to become an Aethership pilot (Notice, I said Pilot, not nessicarily captain) is to learn about 180 lessons in aethercraft, and find someone who has a ship and is willing to let you use it.

There are more than enough ships out there already, the one roomers really have no more use than overpriced mounts (And I mean REALLY overpriced) especially when you figure there are many aethership owners who enjoy just wandering about Aetherspace aimlessly, and all ya have to do is ask for a ride somewhere. If I'm around I usually respond, as long as you have enough Aethercraft to man Empath for me just in case, I'm all for taking ya somewhere... I've heard a few captains charging ungodly amounts of gold for transport from place to place... I just laughed... But its completely up to the passenger whether or not to pay the fee.

Operating an Aethership is free, there's no upkeep costs unless you have docking rights to city or commune docks, ya don't have to feed em, and power is so easy to gather with a single collector its amazing. Although I am curious what alls going to change in the not to near future conscerning monster manifestation, how long they stick around, and how effective turrets are against em... Right now, I have to play the siphon and run card... but even doing that I can get a full 100 reserve plus a good 60 to 100 in the collector in no time at all.

If Aether wars start up, or Aether raids, etc... There will be even less emphasis on the one room ships and more on the fully armed and shielded ships.

Besides, if the only reason your getting a ship is to get to bubbles, your wasting your gold. Gold thats better spent on just getting higher in an aethercraft spec to get you on someones permanent crew.