It's simple really. This is not an MMO with a Final Fantasy aspect. This is a Final Fantasy with an MMO aspect. The fact that 80% of content is done mostly solo is pretty much evidence it's an RPG first, multiplayer second.

FF prioritize story first. Always has and always will. That is what its fanbase are after.

Is it the best story? It's good enough.

Does it suck that you have to wait to get past certain milestone in the MSQ to get certain things and jobs? Probably for those that just want that job.

But it's what makes sense in the story, which is as i said takes priority.

When it comes down to it, I say just think of it as a 'reward' for getting through the MSQ.