Using the buddy list... questions

[Derek in NYC]

Im a pretty experienced online player, but I dont use buddy list all that much. I rely much more on Pokertracker and average pot size for table selection.

While buddy lists are occasionally helpful for tracking down idiot players who are sitting at a less-than-full table, I usually find my buddies at full tables with waiting lists. More often than not, by the time I get on, they are gone or close to busted. So what's the point?

Increasingly, players seem to be clicking the "hide me from search" box. If I determine that a player is doing this, is there any meaningful reason to keep that person on the buddy list? Or should I just delete them and keep a player note on them in case I happen to sit down at the table with them?

TIA.