I probably should have made it clear that I don't see an issue with funding your own travel costs when applying for a job. The crux of the matter is the fact that they expect one to jump through a plethora of hurdles, spending not negligible amounts of money and the department still can't give you a verdict on the outcome of your application 11 months later.
Do you personally think that is reasonable Friednick? What is your current position if I may ask?