[...] they're there for a reason [...] Yes it takes weeks/months to get access, then it takes weeks/months to get access.

Not exactly. Everyone has to evaluate for themselves how legit the rules are and act accordingly. More often than not, boilerplate rules are thoughtlessly applied and there is no pragmatic process to handle the exceptions to those rules.

Admittedly, it's a risk to break such rules. One has to be an adult and use good judgement. It's OK, most of the time.