Traders aren't over protected and unless they have some sort of really good run making credits isn't easy for them either and this is what some people are forgetting.
you might also find that if you pick on the same player too many times that player may just stop playing which in turn removes one of your ways to make credits or whatever as a pirate.
as for the trade thing, personally I have noticed that on my trade window the credits are under some other text as is the box where you input the amount you wish to transfer so maybe that is what has happened with that person.
As for pirating in Cap ships, I think you would find that you wouldn't really be able to shot at a trader too often if you were in a properly setup cap ship as it would destroy the traders ship or take it to a point where it was really badly damaged into hull.
Anyway with a game that is as old as FL is you really don't want to go making too many changes as people being the things they are don't like to much change and FL needs more players not less.
Use Your Fears To Conquer Your Enemies, Then Watch As They Cry & Complain About How They Didn't Win!?!
