My understanding is at a good chunk of these controlled areas, they DO require you to have buddy, shovel, probe, beacon, if you read the sign and/or website that's what it says. The ones that are not strictly required, they highly recommend.
However, it's just they have a gate that can electronically recognize a beacon. There's no equivalent cheap and efficient system that can recognize you have the rest of gear or training. The beacon gate is just the best method that gets as much of the desired benefit with the lowest cost, (both money and human cost of patroler's time), it is not perfect enforcement of the access rule.
If you've obtained the most expensive item, I don't see why you wont get at least those cheap versions of the rest of the kit too, that adds up to like maybe $50. You don't even need the traditional shovel, like those frisbee/plate style snowclaw thing is good enough to count.
So if the goal is he wants to ski all these gate controlled areas; either read the fine print for where he is going; or just get the rest of kit too, so he doesn't get turned around if a patroller happens to be peeking and enforces the full requirements of a particular area. The argument that i just did it yesterday doesn't fly, if the real rule was you needed full kit; that's like saying I stole a cookie yesterday so that means I can steal one every day.
Remember, this is just about safety and for your benefit, and none of this is law or written in stone. Just like ducking the rope, or skiing too fast; it's ski patrols judgement on if you are safe or not safe. All these things, a patroller sometimes and arbitrarily decide to give you a warning or kick you off the mountain, for the exact same thing. It's basically if they think you have learned your lesson already and won't do it again, or if you need something more to not do it again. They are doing these things for the benefit of all the skiers, not for any personal gain.
I am of the same mindset.
