I think the only game where is hard to obtain a Chocobo is FFXI with its five hour quest. In all other FF's is always a rather simple quest/string of quests and Bam! you can mount chocobos. I think what has clouded your view is the time we have spent without other means of transportation, something akin to: "So, after a year with my two feet and anime to travel, now I can get chocobo just by doing this?" "This is not fair, it should be harder because of all I went through"

These are just Rented and Personal Chocobos issued by Grand Companies, a means of transportation, nothing more, nothing less. A question though, How do you get mounts in other MMO's? like Wow?