I think there should be a timer to enter and exit a pilot seat. This is both to prevent people from just using vehicles as a "get out of jail free" card and to prevent cowardly pilots from jumping out at the last second.

My idea is a timer that only applies to the pilot seat. So yes, you could still jump into a vehicle, but instead of popping into the pilot seat, you'd be in a passenger seat instead. Actually entering the pilot seat would require being in a passenger seat and holding the action button (just like hacking). This way, jumping into a vehicle would save you, but (in the case of LAVs and dropships) to actually get away, you'd have to take a moment to switch to the pilot seat, allowing infantry to shoot you before you have the chance.

Of course this would apply to getting out or switching from the pilot seat, too. This way, pilots can't just jump out for an advantage or when they're about to die (this would solve both problems of dropship pilots bailing, and tank pilots jumping out with AV). As for the actual length of the timer, i'd make it the same time it takes a dropship to explode.

The only problems with this (that I can think of) is the fact that SHAVs have no turrets (supposedly, anyway), and therefore need the insta-entry because holding it is to recall. There's also the fact that jumping into a tank still shields you from infantry, and while you'd be vulnerable to nearby tanks or AV, there's still the chance that there is none. This is why i'm putting this in GD and not FID, because i'm just wondering what people would think about this.