That's a pretty fair argument. My attendings whom I respect the most say the only reason to call a consult is #1. They have something you need, be it a scalpel, a dialysis machine, a fiberoptic scope or a bed upstairs. #2 is more of a curbside. If I ever do number 2, I never include that I discussed with another doc in the chart - I think it's bad juju to bring someone else's name in a chart when they don't realize it.
How do ya'll feel about this: In a lot of post-surgical patients who come into the ED for non-surgical issues - (e.g. has some pain not controlled by PO pain meds, give some morphine, pain under control, send them to the house; or had some nausea, zofran/phenergan, tolerating PO --> home) some attendings have us call surgery to let them know their post-op patient came in. I've been told in surgical patients immediately post-op it's good form to let the surgeon know they're back regardless of whether or not you need their input or them to physically see the patient, especially in the community. What do ya'll think?