A simple change to the character customization screen

[salix_catus]

How about a fourth option, under "Observe" for "Preview Character" which sends you to a tiny cell disconnected to the rest of the game? And which you can leave by pushing a button on the wall, returning you to the join the game/character creation/respawn screen.

Instead of a tiny cell, why not a separate arrivals shuttle? One that's going through Hyperspace.
Hmmm on that note It'd be cool if the arrivals shuttle actually went to pick latejoiners up. That way spawncamping would be less of an issue as you would have a bit of a heads up before joining the station.