So reading all of the responses, here is my take on it all.
As far as runs counting towards Top 10. I am indifferent. It really doesn't matter to me. Those to me are fun awards and while it is nice to say that my dog was in the Top 10. In the grand scheme of things, it really isn't a big deal.
Cost of the VT runs: Again, I am indifferent. Yes, it might make them $15.00 per run BUT you are only paying the $10.00 if you Q, so in reality, your NQ runs are $5.00 so that does cut down on the cost there. Most trials I go to cost $10.00 per run (because I run a LOT of runs) and that is whether I Q or not. I have a beagle that I run. I generally get MAYBE 1-2 Q's out of 6-8 runs... Not a great percentage so her Q's can cost me $60-80.
Trial distance: Again, not a huge deal to me, but you do have to take into consideration travel time as well as distance.
Separate program/less points for a Q: This just doesn't make sense to me. The entire purpose of a VT run was to get people who CAN'T get to trials because of distance, work or other reasons a way to get some Q's to work towards their titles. No, no one is "guaranteed" a title, BUT if you have either NO trials or have to trial 6-8 hours for 3-4 trials per year, or work weekends and can't always get to trials, would you continue to do NADAC trials knowing you might never get those titles? Not likely, you are more likely to change venues and do something that you can actually earn those titles in. Yes, there are those that just LOVE the venue and would do that, and there are those that would say, I do it for the joy of trialing and NOT the titles. But I know for me, and for many other people, if I don't feel that I am working towards something, then I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't spend the money. I would find another venue or event to do spend it on. People who have an abundance of NADAC just don't get that. If I had only 4 trials per year, it would take me 12 trials (or 3 years) if I Q EVERY run to get enough Q's for a NATCH. And since we all know that there is no way to Q every run, it would take far more than that. And that is if I move up immediately, which I NEVER do with my dog. I would more likely turn to AKC, which has far more trials in far more places.
I do agree with what someone said earlier, (and I don't remember the exact quote) about it being cheaper to do VT for her titles and her debt wouldn't be as big, but she enjoys going to trials because of the people. I think that the main reason I like agility so much is because I get to meet a whole bunch of really nice people while I am there. Yes, I am spending time with my dogs, but I can do that with a walk in the woods, a visit to the pet store, just staying at home and playing with them and it wouldn't cost me much. And yes, my dogs love agility, but again, I can do that with renting a facility, etc. And quite honestly, my dogs like to do things with me so agility or not, they would be pretty happy as long as they are with me. So, the main reason I do agility is because I get to hang with some really great people. VT runs just don't allow me that unless we have a group doing them. Agility is actually more for ME than it is for my dogs.
As far as no other venues that allow VT, true. BUT that is what makes NADAC, NADAC. Most venues don't allow training in the ring either, but we all LOVE NADAC for that. Most venues use the teeter and NADAC doesn't and we all love NADAC for that. NADAC doesn't have refusals and we all love NADAC for that. Most venues have tight courses, back side jumps and NADAC doesn't and we love NADAC for that. When I started agility, AKC didn't allow mixed breed dogs so I wasn't even ELIGIBLE to compete with them. It wasn't until 2 years later that they allowed them, and then, the clubs had the choice, and around my area, clubs didn't allow them. So, every venue has their own set of rules and regulations. You either like them or not but that is what makes each venue special.