Why do Healers...

[deos]

1) Why do healers cast Stoneskin/ Protect when there are still some people watching the cutscene? You're just going to have to cast it again in a few seconds, why not just wait and save your mana?

Because some groups do not wait for any buffs aside from Protect. And some don't even wait for that. So, as a WHM, I will individually hit people with Stoneskin as they load and Protect can wait until everyone is in. Because I find it is slightly more likely that groups (tanks especially) will wait for Protect than Stoneskin. And even then I sometimes have to Swiftcast Protect on the run.

im usually doing this:
waiting for everyone to get out of videos, swiftcast stoneskin II, then cast protect. all is done within 3 seconds and most ppl can at least wait THIS long (or are at least still in range XD)
usually that means no swiftcast aero III on the first pull but whatever XD
anyway, there is no reason for casting any buffs while the shield is still up, except for stoneskin as SCH/AST with no WHM in the pty
the same goes for buffing in a boss room as preparation for the fight before every pty member arrived (especially after wipes)