Takhethis on Feb 5, 2021 wrote:

I think its great that we get to send out companions on various quests to return a time later with whatever type of stuff they went after. The problem is that the higher level a companion is the longer their return time becomes and what they return with is pretty much the same. This translates into lower performance rates for higher level companions than for lower level ones. It literally pays a player not to max out the companions they don't play with, as they will return at a much faster rate with the same stuff.

Give them at least one rank in any task and see better results; as in real life, someone who has had training will perform better than one who has not.
Any companion can get at least one rank in any task, but some classes are allowed more ranks. For example if you want your nautical experience to be better, then give 1 - 3 ranks in Cannoneering to a musketeer companion, or if a buccaneer companion is lagging in experience, try giving more ranks in Brawlin'..
Many times extra ranks will either shorten the time or bring back more than no ranks at all; KI has already given us the tools to do what you're asking for.