Having worked my way up from a starflyer to a lane hacker IDed/Iff'ed dagger, and having pirated enough to get a stiletto, all without using /givecash (yes, I repfixed without bribes!), I don't really see how it's a big issue. I could just of easily of gotten a mule and a smuggler ID, and of started trading to work my way up. It's completely possible to work your way up without help, if you know what you are doing.
As for how I did it, well, the BHG depots in Manchester drop h-fuel, which sells well at Rochester and increases your reputation with unlawfuls. After that, it's just a matter of buying that low-end piece of unlawful tech and either trading with a mule and a smuggler ID or getting help on the missions for a pirate faction ID. On a related note, when doing missions with some random person, I noticed he has an eagle with class 5 guns and a stock class 8 shields, yet i was taking out the NPC's with more ease in my dagger. Skill is also a factor. Any help on a mission is far better then no help, though.
