Gallente is for air to ground assaults.

The only reason to go Caldari is assault Caldari dropships for dogfighting. Caldari is inferior choice for air to ground assault, it's only role is for dogfighting.

because gallente can withstand about 2-3 forge gun or rail tank hits, caldari goes down in 1-2. which means you can risk hovering a gallente to line up an air to ground hit. hovering a caldari is a serious gamble. the caldari is speedier, more agile therefore is good for dogfighting and has an advantage over the gallente in that area. but if your gonna dedicate to dogfighting you have to go assault caldari dropship for the nose turret.

this is just imo from flying caldari in 2012 and flying gal in 2013. it's arguable of course.

also, with gal your shield is not it's main tank it's just a buffer, but gives you the chance to activate your main tank (armor hardener), with caldari, by the time your main tank (shield) has taken that first hit it's generally to late for shield hardener - if your down to armor on a cal your basically dead.