[at-l] Approach trail or not?

[gbryant@lcisp.com (George Bryant)]

    Lo, just curious, but what do you guys think about whether to start your
thru on top of Springer or at the approach trail? I've never seen an inch of
the AT, but from glancing at my impartial maps it just seemed simpler to do
the approach. However, I recently talked to someone who has hiked the AT in
GA/NC many times and he said not to do the approach trail. He said it's a
pointless (and tiresome) trail and he would never recommend anyone do it.
I'm still not sure, what do any of you think?