I think there is maybe another point being missed, a non totoally empty pod is in the rules eyes a live object, sometimes (quite a bit for me with locklids and halo / reloader) not all the balls fit and ballence ontop of the crown or speedfeed, so you drop your pod and a few seconds later a simple moment drops a ball onto a technically live pod, or your pod is shot close to the edge of the bunker and you could be seen to be (technically) eliminated.
I have to confess i am a 'chucker' lol, i make sure i tip out any balls remaining then launch it as quick as possible and close to the netting as i can, the way i look at it is its deffo a dead pot and even if i miss the tipping part a ref is never gonna go pod hunting at the end of the game to make sure its empty and not been hit.
Maybe if i was in a snake i would 'skim' it to the netting instead of 'chucking' lol