If its about xp/played - then my advice is to SKIP ZF. (especially if you haven't boosted in ZF before).

I run SM Cath until 45 and then go straight to Strat. I use a 70 paladin though. Much faster for me in the long run. I clear with the pally and the boostees can be a good ways away so they dont get agro. When I used to try ZF between SM and strat I was always getting lower xp/played. Running them over there - that damn Hex (i know, I know you can back up to avoid - only works best on small pulls) etc., caused slower xp/played overall.

You see your xp/hr (and xp/played) start to decline from 40-45 in Cathedral but not as much as going to ZF and then back to Strat. (not xp/hr when you reset it once you get to zf but actual xp/played time).

Anyway - I dont do ZF anymore. might be different with a mage but I think if you try one group and pay attention to xp/played you will see it drop faster trying to get everyone to zf and do those quests etc. than if you just stay at Cath until 45 and then straight to Strat.

Standard wisdom though is SM -> ZF -> Strat.

- I don't know why you would goto ZF at 37 (at least go from SM catherdral) because my xp/hr continues to increase until I hit level 40 on my boostees.

PS - one last thing before everyone argues with me - I'm talking XP/played so it includes travel and wipes while trying to learn Zf and learn Hex distancing etc.