I'd think with the recent changes to the replies (mentions) functionality,
there isn't a reason to use search any more (for that functionality).
Mentions now include any tweet that has your @username in it. Whereas before
it did not. Of course, now the in_reply_to_status_id might not be to one of
Casey,
I believe you received some misguided advice. The statuses/mentions [1]
method is your best bet. With a single call to this method you will have
access to all mentions of your username and the actual status data [2] and
in_reply_to data.
1.
