Not counting the instapop escorts, I often see a group with say two escorts, where my alphastrike simply isnt effective.. Only to switch primary targets to a cruiser or SV and take them out in like 2-3 volleys off a 4xDHC Defiant, even with Tac Captain buffs on CD..
There is no such thing as instapop escorts...atleast i have never seen them ever...
If you are pugging, you gotta pug in an escort to notice the "insta-pop" escorts. They are so silly. Then they get mad and come at you after respawn, tank their alpha, then turn and pop em in a couple unbuffed salvos.