Use of rather than

[clar]

No matter how patiently they explain their reasons for confiscating certain items, travelers often treat customs inspectors like wanton poachers rather than government employees.

(A) travelers often treat customs inspectors like wanton poachers rather than government employees
(B) travelers often treat customs inspectors as wanton poachers instead of government employees
(C) travelers often treat customs inspectors as if they were not government employees but wanton poachers
(D) customs inspectors are often treated by travelers as if they were wanton poachers rather than government employees
(E) customs inspectors are often treated not like government employees but wanton poachers by travelers

OA - D

Can someone explain why C is a wrong choice?

[clar]

oops ! got it..

the modifying phrase should modify custom inspectors and not travelers!

[gmat_2010]

Unless you are sure that they treat like 'A' and no at all like 'B', try 'rather than'. The language of GMAT is generally not do rigid. Hence, rather than is preferred.
I would say, 'Bananas are yellow, not red.'
But I would also say, 'I would like to have the yellow cup rather than the red one.'