I know a lot of the areas you mentioned, for the most part they either aren't as high payoff or aren't nearly as dangerous or as quick as the maus (huge masses of agro mobs wandering around in a noteleport norecall area). I haven't yet tried out the mount, but i'd really like to. I hear things can get very interesting in there in addition to being fast ranking. I think warrior spec'd mobs with abusable vulns, high damrolls, and a high xp payoff are a great idea. Also, I noticed a distinct lack of these sort of areas for ranking sub 35 or so in your list, especially for evils. A competent group will of course make any ranking trip go smoother, but i've never worried about taking newbies to the drow city, Shadar, or that fun little underwater area. The maus is the only place I will pass on groupmates who seem like they might get me killed.