Guess I should have read the forum a bit more before posting... just started a thread that is along the same lines as this. Reading this kind of reinforced in my head that it could work.

You could have a crafting instance where you start out clearing trash like Rivets and Planks only to work your way up to the Airship boss that you need to take down . The idea feels a little wacky to me but I think I like it. I imagine that people who didn't want to level a combat job might dislike it.