Yes, but if sending money on Coinbase means that you have to sign up for a bank account anyway...

If you don't want to use a bank account you can use https://mycelium.com/ or https://localbitcoins.com/. Or just use https://bitpay.com/getbits and check if one of your friends on Facebook is selling coins.

Buying a western union check and meeting someone in an alleyway to get a thumb drive is easier than just using a bank? I think not.

Of course it's not. But the argument of the parent poster was that you require a bank account. Also, most experienced traders on https://localbitcoins.com/ will prefer to meet in a very public place or in a police station, instead of an alleyway.

The parent's argument that a bank account is needed was a retort to the idea that Bitcoin is easier than banking.

Conducting financial transactions in a police station is not easier than using a bank, so whilst a bank account isn't strictly necessary it doesn't change the argument that Bitcoin is harder to use than regular banking.