Ok, "this isn't getting sewing done" -- it's how I feel sometimes. :-) I'm trying not to use so much time online, but often failing in that goal...
SBG and all, I used to use a scissors for cutting the thread, but when I recently got a different machine that had a sharp cutter on it, I used that. I found it made a big difference regarding having to hold the thread when beginning. So long as the lever is up (I don't know the name of it, the one that goes up and down with the top thread threaded through it) I don't have any problem with tangles near the feed dogs after using the thread cutter. I've never used leader/enders anyway.