I don't typically go back into the start screen to run a desktop program. The 10 or so programs I use on a regular basis are pinned to my taskbar, and launched from there without going back into start. I do this on Windows 7 as well. I NEVER go into my start menu in Windows 7 unless

1) I am doing a search
2) I am opening a rarely used app
3) I am shutting down the computer

In metro search works the exact same way, but yes it does bring you into the start screen, but I actually like that, as the results can be layed out better and you can see more of them. Shutting down is IMO more steps than it used to be from a start menu standpoint. (You can hit winkey + I from anywhere and select shutdown though). However I just made sure that in power options, pressing the power button on my PC does a shutdown, so I don't need to actually go click something in a menu.

Oh, and it isn't called Metro anymore as of yesterday (due to a company named Metro in Germany) Not sure what the final name will be now.