Clipping paths vs Alpha Channels effect PDF generation

[TTrue]

I have a user that insists that images that have alpha channels for masking or paths are drastically slower to process than than paths cut with the pen tool When exporting a PDF. Personally I have not seen. At a previous job alpha channel masks were used regularly in the Indesign pages without any problems. Is there any validity to this claim?

[BobLevine]

Define "drastically."

[TTrue]

lets say 2 to 3 times slower. What might take 60 seconds with just clipping paths, might take 120 seconds or more for a page file that has clipping and alpha chanels.

[BobLevine]

That sounds like a ridiculous amount of time for either.