Another half-baked job from MA, as per the map put together by Anny from data collected by the crew of MS Kronan after the changes to space last year, you can see that much of space is now non-lootable pvp, you can be shot, you can't be looted ( think orange pvp planetside).
This was done by MA to prevent pirates camping the SS. So yes some parts of space are now much safer.
Sadly they forgot to change the messages from the old system to match the new, so it will tell you it is lootable, many times, but not always accurately. As was said in a previous answer watch the radar, the coloured indicators do appear accurate, and double red means lootable.
But..
To get from planet to planet (not including FOMA/CP from Caly, or Ark moon from Arkadia) you will pass through lootable PVP space (red PVP), depending on direction of travel this may be a narrow band or maybe be substantial, so please remember that pirates do still exist although in reduced numbers, they will still sit on the more obvious routes just after you hit lootable PVP, so take care, don't make yourself a soft target, get off that straight line, remember that space is 3D not 2D.
If carrying larger amounts of lootables it is still a good idea to use a warp service (Privateer or Mothership), yes they also pass through lootable PVP, but they have much higher Structural Integrity than a quad/sleip/equus/firebird and may well also carry crew to help defend the ship. Faster than sub-warp travel too
equus/firebird do warp but they don't have improved SI, so ideal for speed but you should remember you will still be as lootable as in your quad. Great for travel when lootables are not carried.
Hunting in some parts of space is now available without entering lootable PVP, so yes those that want the skills can give it a whirl in a quad. But please note the Training grounds are now much further from the SS, and often at a much higher or lower elevation, so you will have a lot more flying to get back out there if you die. See Anny's map for accurate waypoints. But take care to set them using her /wp {position} command lines as just clicking on the map to set pos will not set the correct elevation (Z axis) so you could end up way above or below the hunt area and not see any mobs at all.
for those that missed the link to the current map it can be found at
http://www.entropia-library.xyz/space-map/ use the tick boxes to see the different features and also to get the useful list of waypoints (under the map)
but remember MA can change space at a vu and may do so in the future, always check VU notes, and if there has been major changes be very cautious until more experienced players have had chance to check/ edit any mapping
