The choice of Patchou to do it this way is understandable and makes sense. However, I also can see how you could use this feature to filter to whom you which an auto response for. Eg: you can have pers. status "Working on PC", and an auto responder "piss off". Yet you could filter out your bosses email if it was implemented like you ask for.
But it will demand a change in layout and possible a bit of reprogramming. It isn't simply a small "fix"/"addition", I reckon. So maybe Patchou will consider it for futur versions. Hopefully he sees this thread
/ 
