Doc, I don't think Zoners having caps makes a difference in whether they can be pushed around or not. I actually think it might make a difference in whether they will be pushed around though. In what way - I'd say that depends on the area. I also think it might make a change in their behaviour, which is a good thing. Maybe they now start to play more defensivly instead of sitting on their cap power. Other factions have stood up against cap wielding factions with no more than cruisers as well almost the complete time since .86 was brought out. So, whether they will be pushed around will for some part also depend on whether they act like all-powerful still or not. And on how many players still swarm to that faction.
Caps are easy targets anyway and most of the Zoners who use(d) them, use(d) them, because they though they are the most powerful thing around - which is not true, once the bombers show up and wreck them. (Actually gunboats are the strongest thing around currently - by far. But better don't tell them that, or they will end up blowing up Crete.)
I applaud this step, finally a decision that makes sense lore-wise regarding the Zoners. Now on to removing Gran Canaria, please, yes? Make Zoners back into the mysterious outsiders they were, not group of military equipment wielding megalomanic war lords with a bigger population than some sub-houses. (Though when you start going back up that road, you might also have to cut down several other factions, so that real houses actually represent their strenght and power again. Not like it is now, having everyone and their mother's faction and their pets having big ships and unlimited power and all...But that's another story.)
Long story short:
No moar big Zoner-caps - good!
Also, I like the transports' looks.
Now I just hope that what is planned for them will not make them crappy.
And I hope they will not be oversized.