So...I read this in patch notes :
"Bugfix: Fixed an issue which caused you to log in on a vehicle as a commander even though you logged out as passenger."
But then I went to login today...and I always log out in my caravel's captain seat....and I logged in...at the top mast passenger position.
After the hotfix, I once again, logged in at the top mast passenger position.
So, I think someone messed something up with this 'fix'. I should be logging in on captain's spot, and something is going awry.