I disagree on all accounts that realistic travel time is part of the immersion that made FFXI so successful. I hated that aspect. Even something as simple as having the wrong subjob or coming could set your LS back by an hour or keep you from even taking part.

I'd have enjoyed FFXI exponentially more if I had the opportunity to get to places like Sea Serpent's Grotto, Miseraux Coast, Pso'xja, Beaucadine, places I loved, more often without having to dedicate a comparatively large chunk of my playtime just getting there.

Personally, I'm amazed that a game mechanic that affects nothing in the long run and can easily be adapted to by anyone has carried on so passionately for 10 pages.