Definitely a valid point.Just looked at the survey results. The data seem to indicate that the hobby world dry skims. This not necessarily the best way to use a skimmer but is what the hobby must do if it uses automatic replacement of evaporated water. This seems like an example of automation of one operation leading to the suboptimization of another, skimming.
Unrelated, dry skimming for me has generally been less forgiving over the years and less effective and/or requires more diligent maintenance. If I didn't want to actually skim I'd not pay the money for a skimmer and buy an air stone, less heat and cost.