Aarrgh!

I can't bind a control to the shift key. That has been my strafe left key since playing Descent in 1996. That is a long-time habit to try and break.

Is there any way to get around that, or can I beg the devs to put this ability in?

Your inputs are case sensitive, is why. For example, sector chat and channel chat both use the "t".

So by losing two available keys we double the amount of input available.

I suppose that makes sense. And means that I will have to re-learn my flying.

Try using the arrow T and the control and keypad 0 key instead. Same control setup but one key lower. It's what I used until I got a nostromo.