I believe it is unfair to require a battle class for *this* feature.

Being moved to a secondary or support role doesn't mean forceful exclusion. I don't think that the main quest line need involve gatherers and crafters. The quests I have done for the main story were pretty disappointing. Parley is not all that cool. I'm with y'all that far, but chocobos aren't combat content in and of themselves. Allowing crafting classes to pick up a bird of their own doesn't limit combat types or force dull gameplay mechanics onto anyone.

"Gain 25 ranks in a class you don't care to use -> Get a chocobo -> Use Non-combat class for rest of game" doesn't differ much in practical effect from "Gain 25 ranks in crafting class -> Get chocobo", except in that the latter spares a player from needless grinding that they're unhappy with.

If *I* had to choose between making 98% of the population happy by giving them chocobos, or make 100% happy by doing the same, I don't see what excuse I'd have to be stingy.