To countdown or not to countdown?

[rachcouture]

My problem with countdowns is when people use them while the entire party/alliance is already standing at the purple line and waiting. It's a waste of everyone's time, and I hate seeing my AST buff counters dwindle unused, especially since it's really the only chance I get to to extend everyone's buff with Celestial Opposition before every ranged DPS decides to needlessly spread out instead of, you know, standing behind the boss with everyone else.

Honestly, it's a rare day when I queue for Alliance and someone doesn't either a. pull early, or b. stand around in perpetual tank anxiety. The desirable middle ground is SO hard to come across.