Sliding into first?

I've never understood why some baseball players attempt to slide into first base in hopes of getting there a split second sooner to be called safe on the play. Punto tried this today against Baltimore. I can't think of a play like this where I've ever seen the guy called safe. It's got to be faster to run it out. Sliding requires the decision to dive, and you loose time in the air as your body stretches out. Tell me if I'm wrong, but in my eyes this is the dumbest play and never works in the hitters favor.