couldn't have been too good a reason cuz newer ones do have drains
likely had to do with only needing to change the fluid if the trans had been abused and then the filter inside should be changed too, so they thought they'd save a few cents skipping the plug .... you can drop a tube down the filler and use onea those little drill powered pumps to suck out most of the fluid so ya don't make quite as much mess .... maybe while you've got it apart you could add a drain plug, just make sure it's the magnetic type
Bill
