ctkiteboarding: never mind-misunderstanding.
fokiten:
for ME it is an advantage to always know/feel exactly where the kite is. And I can feel this better, when there is pressure on my bar. I had an AB 8.4 before with bridles and never knew where the kite is.
Right know it is important to know exactly, where it is and where it is going to.
Due to higher jumps it can be very dangerous to not knowing, where it is, since if you even steer the kite to the powerzone in 3+ m height, it gonna hurt and 8+ you definitely will have bigger problems at least with your rips.
So if you have the control over the kite using the bridles, that is great. Takes more feeling and control than without bridles.
So keep enjoying the sport!
Toby
PS: you don't get thick necks, but thick arms!