I have read many of these posts and, while I don't think I am adding anything unique to the conversation, I felt compelled to put my two cents' worth. So here goes...
I enjoy going after FTFs. Some have been those "just discovered it's been published" caches, but others...many others, in my case...have been off-road or hikes and not just P&Gs. The average D/T rating for my FTFs is pretty high, much higher than my overall average. Often I am not FTF, but STF. While a disappointment, I put it in perspective. I have also allowed others to go after FTFs while I sit on the couch. Probably because I don't want to be 'THAT' guy.
Recently, I went after an FTF that had been languishing for well over four months! A little five-mile hike and the FTF was mine. Why others hadn't made the trip before me was an enigma. I don't mind FTF hounds. We have plenty in my area, and it really is a race sometimes. Often I will run into cachers at GZ. Then we spend some time telling geocaching war stories. Too fun...regardless of who got the FTF.
In just a couple of days a few months ago, I grabbed 16 FTFs, while saving about a dozen for someone else. Could I have gotten them all? Sure, but then again, I would be 'THAT' guy. No fun in that. Also, no prize either. I seldom take swag from a cache, unless it is a specific FTF prize (and I still leave it there from time to time).
That's about all I have. I can see the OP's point of view...to a degree. Where I am (Southern California), you have many other FTF hounds to beat, so the hunt can become intense. But that's OK, and it's also OK if someone beat me to it. All I have to do is wait...it will be my turn eventually!