My opening question: If the AFK-Timer was implemented from day one, would you have felt the need to request it was removed
Absolutely yes, I would have.

I played FFXI for 8 years without an enforced auto kick timer. One of the first things I did when I was configuring the game's options for the first time was turn off the *optional* kick timer. there is no good reason for this "feature to exist, as I stated many times in the other thread.

It's present in most games. It's standard.
It is NOT a standard. Many games do not have it.