While I disagree with the "no feeling of progression" angle, the lore observation of a gimpy skilled job being like a college degree your rich parents paid for cracks me up to no end.

"Of course he can be the captain of Jeuno's military! He's a 75 PLD! ... Oh, god. No... no, don't test hi- put down the Nerf balls!... BLOCK! ... BLOCK, SON!"

I do see your point about skill diversification, but, like many aspects of FFXI, I considered it a {whispers: time sink} at times. Your point will come full circle, though, if Team Yoshi-P doesn't scrap the previously planned classes (which I don't think they will, since Arcanist, Shepherd, and Bard have been getting steady updates in the DATs) since someday there actually will be different types of sword to master.