I think it's easier to think like that after the process. I'm sure you worked very hard to get where you are in the airline industry but that's just it, you are there and the modular (cheaper) route worked for you, so you look back thankfully that you didn't "waste" your money on an integrated course because, after all, there was no need.
However, if you weren't so successful in the route you chose - would you still be saying these integrated courses "suck you in" and all want to get their "pound of cash"? I think you'd probably question and evaluate the route you chose and ponder about where you would have been if you took another route.
It's certainly easier with hindsight and success. This is similar to someone going through an integrated course, getting a job and saying that it's the way to go, simply because it worked for them.