Yes, yes! (and I’m ashamed not to have mentioned this myself). The ‘rule’ isn’t imposed arbitrarily; it does have a rationale behind it. But as you say, most people stop adhering to it or even using it at all.
As for hearing the “two thousand” construction–I don’t think I’ve gone a day since making this thread without hearing it said that way at least once (including on radio and television). But possibly that’s because I have one or the other on, several hours most days. :o