If I understand it right (from almost nothing other than the comment in this L&L article), the argument against the surprise rules is that players don't like the -20 initiative having effect right through the encounter. I don't understand that at all. Initiative rolls only really make any difference at all during the first round of combat; once combat gets into swing, everyone essentially goes both before *and* after everyone else! And if it so important to you, you can move about the initiative track by readying an action.