I know I often times feel a stigma with Pickup groups and thus only really group with my own linkshell or friends, since I can guarantee their skill level. I generally dislike putting together a group with pickup players too as I feel responsible if they end up being really bad... and in the end, all my battle classes are 50.

I agree with the comments that the system is a tad clunky, but more importantly could use some more handy shortcuts. I think as far as exp groups you might see some increase around patch days, but otherwise it's really a waiting game until 2.0... which is a long time to wait.