I wholeheartedly agree that the plasic boot is much easier, but leather is fun, in some really sick way. The leathers definitely force you to have better style. You can't "fake it" in the leathers. You almost feel like there is nothing between you and the snow, a very weird feeling. Plastics afterwards will seem muted, dampened, numb, etc. That being said, I only stick to my plastics because they *are* easier, I *can* get away with bad form, I can parallel in them easier when it gets really hairy, and I can ski stuff in plastics that I would never go down in leathers. But if you're just hitting up mellower slopes and want to learn some good form and have fun and laugh and see what it's all about, go for it. In the end it's just skiing, and it's all about having a good time. Plus, leather + 3pin is a much cheaper way to try out tele than going and purchasing a plastic/beefy binding combo.
just my $0.02