I think your right about some things but wrong on others. The progress isn't satisfying and it makes very little different rather or not you get +5 strength when you've got 2000 strength already. To me its either you can beat the monsters or not and thats the factor of the game. Leveling up without levels??? in a final fantasy??? X

Anyways I disagree with you about the ATB. We get enough to fill up the screen from left to right. No need in using 100 abilities at a time when you can easily beat things in a 5-10 spells/attacks, except those giant monsters in grand pulse and missions. Still with those monsters you only need enough to cast death mainly.

If you are having problems leveling up get the growth egg from Neochu.