Shades to spy has gone on since early AW days (which started in 87, Yes, despite the 10-14 yr lapse, I've been playing a very long time). It's nothing new. This obviously went on in real wars too.
I'll sit in the tower and figure out where a decent fight is worth flying to, or if I'll log off, or just grabbing a cam position for Fixed mode for a period of time. I've also gone AFK and forgot I was even still logged on.
I've been kiiled in the tower 3 times since I've been back.
On the biz side of things, in shade accounts, I recklessly assume they are also paying for 2 accounts. It's not a well thought out tactic.