There is another thread where it is posited that this has been allowed by Square Enix:

Quote Originally Posted by AlexiaKidd View Post
The fact is this has been going on for a very long time and SE are well aware of that and have done nothing to stop it so it is not an "exploit". As Applepie stated "actual exploits" of spawning endless mobs and the spamming buffs to get crazy SP were dealt with by SE as soon as they were aware. They have done nothing to stop the abandoning of Leve's, why? Because it is not an exploit that's why.
Quote Originally Posted by Reika View Post
We have only the dev team to blame for that ^^. But since they have authorized it, people will do it until it becomes unnecessary to do it.
Quote Originally Posted by TheVedis View Post
Ok so this is like the umpeenth thread on this, it surfaces as a new one every other friggin week

but let me sum up what EVERY OTHER thread on it has stated

1) This is not a exploit, it is not a bug, its reward vs sp, you sacrifice the reward to get more sp
2) The devs added this on purpose, it isnt an accident
3) people will always whine about something they dont agree with
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...l=1#post103745


It seems people are basing this on an interview where the developers said it was OK to do this. I could not find the source of this.

It would be good if they would address this directly saying it is part of the system or it is an exploit, do not do this.