A couple of thoughts:
1) There was a spreadsheet created some time ago that calculated that going for the auto-load stations was more efficient time-wise. I believe it is here:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/pa...le&paperid=416
2) However, that spreadsheet did not account for the extra time that most robots seem to need at the auto-load stations to be EXACTLY perpendicular to the loader.
3) For the manual loaders with human players, the robot can be at any angle to the load station (but still "INSIDE" the load station triangle). At three regionals, I would say that the ratio of robots using human players versus auto-load is about 75% human, 25% auto.
BUT....in an alliance, be sure to seek robots that can be positioned on either side of the field for a quick pick-up at both auto and human load station. If your robot can ONLY go to the human-load station, it might not be valued as highly in an alliance.
ALSO.....by far, there have been a lot of penalties for "foot faults" by the human players either passing each other (three people in a skinny area) and setting feet outside the zone or by NOT having both feet on the ground while placing a tetra.