First off why would any competent Archer be anywhere near the mob unless:

a) The fight mechanics deem necessary i.e. "WoW falling ceiling" mechanic
or
b) Applying Subtle Release

There are no other reasonable explanations as to why you would go in melee-range so anyone complaining about an Archer melee-range AA "animation" needs to just insert foot into mouth.

In regards to AA in general FFXI did not give Ranger AA because:

a) Arrows don't stack to 6 billion like in WoW or other MMOs
and
b) Arrows don't cost a retardedly small amount of money like in WoW or other MMOs; Arrows mean something

The cooldown timer on a manual /shoot will be equivalent to a timed AA on any other class and weapon delay will play a HUGE roll in said cooldown timer. (INC FFXI gear referenced) An ARC using Lamian Kaman (260 delay) will have a smaller cooldown timer than a MRD using a Horror Voulge (489 delay).

What all you people should really be worrying about is how they plan to nerf ARC down damage wise to be balanced with other DPS classes.