JaguarFiendFirst and most importantly all the stairs have invisible ramps covering them like on all the comp maps that you're used to playing for years. No aids splash blocking to be had there dude... so that was very sad to read.
Secondly if you feel that a pit is morally unacceptable for an ultiduo game then that's just how you feel and I won't be able to change your mind. Let me say though that the pit plays a very small role in the deaths and only once or twice per game, if at all, do people fall off. It just acts to funnel the ammomod-type action down the center and adds some risk and excitement to the surfs. It's extremely hard to purposely throw people off the bridge, or accidentally for that matter. Most of the time when you see people getting thrown off it's when a much stronger soldier plays a much weaker one (like this). Call it cheap or unfair if you want but no one is getting 'lucky'. The better skilled players will always win the game in the end.
And finally I have no idea what you mean by your last sentence. Criticism is mostly negative but when people generally tend to like their experience and say "was fun" what more would you like them to say?
Maybe I had to be more clear by saying the stairs are limiting the rocket's damage instead of blocking it. This still does not change the fact that they can cost a well deserved kill. This is the reason people enjoy playing baloo, rb7, grove etc, they are rewarding the actual skill and thus the better team wins - simple as that. Stairs are forcing you to use splash damage all the way, not to mention the damage that is dealt is much lower.
About the map with the cliff, I don't think you have played any high-skill based matches. One airshot and you are already dead. A simple direct on the medic in the feet and he flies off. This is just stupid. I don't even think it is necessary for me to explain furthermore.
The feedback you've received is mostly.. none, apart from "was fun". This does not mean the maps are skill rewarding. Meme maps are also fun but are not played competitively, you know. ;)