Honestly brother, I don't think the patches made a lick of difference when it comes to staying online consistently. Before patches I'd have to connect a few times before I'd actually get into a lobby, and after then it's a crap-shoot, you might be able to play for 3 hours, or 20 mins'. And it's been the same experience after all the patches too. That's why you gotta just live in the moment in GTA Online. Whenever an idea pops into your head, such as I dunno, rob gas stations as a three man team, 2 in the super sports car, one in the hydra keeping the sky's clear, you just go and do it, I've noticed people who complain about the lack of content or the constant loading screens(which there are plenty), don't have much of an imagination, or at least in regards to the open world. There is sooooooo much to do.