Because the emperor would never climb in a cramped outfitted bomber like some piece of cargo.

Gunner/Tactician, Gunner/Vader, and Palpatine are all good reasons for the restriction. Doesn't have to be one or the other.

I don't really see a problem with Gunner + Tactician. That would be 23 points and would only occasionally double-stress a target. Stresshog is 3 points more, but double-stresses automatically at range 2-3.

Now multiply that single bomber by four, allow them full access to their dial and their actions.

Rebel Operative (16)

Twin Laser Turret (6)

Tactician (2)

Spice Runner (16)

Twin Laser Turret (6)

Tactician (2)

And these guys actually have a chance of hitting at range 2-3. At range 1, they may only get 2 dice, but they can shoot out of arc.

24 points for either of these guys in Scum and Rebel Scum lists.

23 points for a stress-bomber that only has 2 attack dice and can't shoot out of arc breaks the game how? Barrel Roll?

I don't think they were really worried about gunner per se, but this means if they want a powerful card off the shuttle it doesn't need to be *six* points... And given the low firepower of a bomber they wouldn't have cared about losing gunner in the process.