First of all the server has been online for a year. Also, you don't need 6 months to get full 50e now. Maybe at launch due to having limited content and even then I'd argue you didn't need 6 months.
As for the botting or P2W, yes. That sucks and I have sent video proof of a Asmodian General botting on his own character and nothing has been done. Get used to it, this is NCsoft.
Double AP is amazing. So is double drop. And it's 14 days, not a week. Yes, it sucks that you get geared groups and lose but that is to be expected when the server is 1 year old and there are basically no new players because NCsoft does a terrible job at managing the game in the West. It happens to both sides.
Yes, I hate when people do that. I only resort to training when people stomp us nonstop, then what else do I have to lose? Or else I tend to ask my group to NOT train.
He is not entirely wrong, though. It is frustrating and if you think about it new players will have to play almost double the time as old players to get to the same gear level, when it should be 50% faster to attract new players.
Forget the time and effort you had to put on your gear at the start of a server. If gear progression doesnt become faster as time passes, specially in a game so gear dependant as Aion, you will not have new players to fight against, or to play with, and the servers will eventually close, much sooner than it should.
I bet you if you have an open mind you will reconsider that comment.