If you look at the youtube video that explains the party search funtion in FFXIV it makes FFXI's method look like crap I will give the you the link to video here. Don't talk about the search function if you have never even tried to comprehend or understand it not everything is going to be just like FFXI.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbya17PW25E
Arguably, your point of view can be turned around right back at you. You clearly haven't looked into what the majority of people are complaining about, which is the fact that the current search system is one-sided. You as an individual can search for groups with a recruitment open, but you cannot flag yourself for others to find you.
That is the fundamental flaw that everyone is upset about. If you want to form a party, you have to shout, or hope people come to you. You can't search for them yourself.
That's a pretty big generalization you're making there OP. At this point most people do understand how to use it, but quite frankly it's extremely rarely used. Despite that, this system does have its merits, and I believe it should be kept in place. However, a more traditional search function like that of FFXI in ADDITION to this system would only make it better. And as Endemerrin said, there needs to be a seeking party/search feature to go along with the recruit system in order for it to fulfill its maximum potential. And besides, we still need a search function for other reasons besides forming parties anyway.