Perhaps you didn't have the appropriate opportunity and resources to study them? 2 years is still quite reasonable for those that are serious about getting them done I think.
If you happen to currently reside overseas its quite difficult to get it done in 2 yrs, especially when you only get 3 weeks vacation per yr. I'd agree with you if CASA created a system where there were a couple o.s. places one could sit the exam or a way to do them remotely.