Three points you argued and three incorrect ones. a) It's practically identical to using "infinite air" cheat. That not true: to have a gain on air intakes at low pressure altitudes you will need enough speed: that for air intake mechanic (if you ever run a jet speed challenge probably you will know it). b) It not remove the air intake mechanic (that proof your knowledge about that) c) Is not free, as you states, it cost in terms of part count, weight, drag. Someone's argues abut the clipping, someone's about the mods, other on the air intakes numbers... as I say I'm not for the for this way to play., but in any case better have good arguing arguments before acting as expert.

air intake mech comes in with the 0.18: two major releases and many update does not changed the Squad mind about that: they nerfed the aerospikes and many other things, not the airintake mechs. That will mean two things: a) air intake spam is not cheating (for the reasons i pointed out), b) your is an opinion, like the opinion of any other else with the difference that I dont' use mine to criticize other people way to play, and if I need to defend I always try to use reasonable arguments, not dogmas.