It should be possible for me to script it so that a shuttle is only able to pick up one pod at a time and one blackbox. I need to figure out if I can detect when a shuttle is docked or not (its either using the ‘if_exists’ or the ‘if_docked’ I think). I could then have all shuttles with a simple cargo system where they can hold a couple of pick ups. Larger shuttles could have more, smaller shuttles less.
Perhaps there should also be a basic profiency on using shuttles. They are unlikely to be in combat, which might take more training to have effective fighter wings, but a basic ‘fly here, pick up this, fly back’ so everyone can do it.