Let me take this a step further.

If you as a woman were spending time online and on the phone with a guy and you wanted to meet but the funds would not allow it and he offered to pay your expenses to go visit would you take the time to meet?

As a guy if you wanted to meet someone would spend the money to fly them out and back?

I'll answer my own question. If her funds did not allow it and we wanted to meet I would pay her expenses out and back.

So, you're meeting someone for the first time over coffee, a quick lunch, or a bite to eat. Who Pays?
Do you consider it a "first date" and expect the man to cover all the expenses, or do you look at it as a "pre dating interview" and plan on going dutch?
Would you press the issue or just let it slide?
Would it make any difference if he/she was good looking and pleasant, or ugly and unpersonable?
Would it make any difference if the meeting place was a greasy spoon or a nice sit down resturant?

I'm old school. A gentleman always pays.
As for the airfare, that would never come up because I meet men only from my area or near by.

A first meeting for me usually does not involve anyone needing to pay. I prefer to meet just to talk for a few minutes to size each other up, see if there is an attraction or any desire for a second meeting, which would be the first date.

Frst. meet should be a short coffee or lunch.
Whom ever asked for the meet, should expect to pay; unless it is agreed prior to be "dutch".

That would be today's standards.

I, being a gentleman, always expect to pay, for frst meets.
Only after I know a lady & she wants to pay, do I allow such a thing.