I'd rather call for Minsc, Jaheira or Gale than a bunch of city guards or harpers. Also the fact calling them in takes an Action meant I really didn't have much opportunity to call many of them in anyway, Mizora did make an appearance and Disintegrated the Emperor, which was bloody awesome, but I felt a bit cheated that the regular companions just weren't there until after it was over.
Agreed, this should be default. The "Call Allies" should also include options for all the companions idling in camp, but maybe this was a way to safeguard them against death.
