I guess it depends where the Alien resides, the whole getting out thing I do not mind honestly, especially in the case of that adaptation where with the water it likely headed for air on instinct. As for wasting time, it might take just as long, and leave the thing vulnerable whilst it tunnels.
I do see an issue with it getting into a host though, as we know they grow in the chest cavity itself, hence having to have started as a bacteria not as an embryo.