Well for the most part I do agree with you EZ. I still don't find any downside to having a pony while diving single tank. It's just not at all in the way, and you really do get used to it. It's like it's not there, and you almost feel naked without it.
OF course, failures on your own, well serviced equipment is rare, so odds are very good you'll not use it for a long time.
So do you feel lucky?.......Well, do ya, punk?
Hehehe, My favorite Eastwood line........
Not really that applicable, as everything has it's odds.
I do admit to having a skewed view on things, since I always dive doubles, and almost never have a true "buddy" to speak of. (Oh yeah, for the boat captain, if he asks, but it's "same ocean" buddy type of thing.) We mostly do wrecks/penetration, and it is usually semi-solo unless the wreck is so huge it becomes a team event. And then it's all talked out long before hand.
Regards.