Socal....
Completely agree. As this was stated up front, I had the option of accepting or declining. It was my choice, and I don't expect all (or even most) to agree, as it is a personal call either way. I have no bad feelings against the company concerned.
Pace....
For me, it is about parity. I have no problem whatsoever will paying for the recurrent I take with me, as long as the new company pays for the recurrent that I bring at the start.
It all smarts of having your cake and eating it. Employers love getting one over on another by stealing a candidate straight after a recurrent, but they whinge when someone does it to them.