Quote Originally Posted by Jandor View Post
In that it provides an incentive to try more things and playing different roles gives at least a basic understanding of them.
Playing a GLA at 15 gives you very little insight into the job at 70. Maybe in the past it was more useful, but as the level cap increases, what little benefits that used to have only continue to dwindle.

It also made more sense. Leveling all classes on one character is a rather unique feature, that the various combat classes you can level don't interact at all and actually bothering to use the feature provides no real bonus is odd to say the least.
You get to use all the resources of your main character while leveling up alt jobs. All those extra tomes, all that gil, and ofc the ability to make gear and food and potions yourself, is absolutely nothing to sneeze at. Oh, and not having to go through the story again just to experience a different job. So while I do agree with you on the pure gameplay angle, you really can't say the feature provides no real bonus.