Creeping thyme pros and cons?

I've been researching creeping thyme as an alternative to lawns. I understand it's a very slow, but effective ground cover.  I figured I'd check with you guys on what you might say for or against using it in a garden area.

I've heard rumors that it will steal nitrogen from nearby plants. I don't know if that true, but if it is, that might be a deal breaker if it destroys a future food forest. Whereas I understand white clover is used as a companion plant and ground cover for the opposite reason. Can anyone substantiate or refute these allegations?

I'm curious also because I understand thyme is a deterrent for pests. Is it possible that I could have a picnic on a mat of creeping thyme without getting ticks and/or chiggers all over me? Someone told my wife on a facebook post that this was so. If so, I will become the Johnny Appleseed of creeping thyme.

Please tell me everything you know about this plant and any experience you have had with it.

We have some creeping thyme in our yard that we planted 6-7 years ago for decorative purposes. It has slowly been taking over our yard, managing to even replace the grass.

So far it has taken over 7-8 feet from the wall we planted it on, and there are a few random patches where it is taking over grass elsewhere in our yard.

I can't speak to its use in a garden, but I'm probably going to divide and spread it around since it has done a great job at preventing the weeds like thistle that we get every year.
(and it doesn't need to be trimmed like grass does!)

Thyme is a nitrogen fixer, it brings nutrients in.

To give you an idea, the red stuff in this picture is our thyme (red due to snow/frost/cold). It was originally planted in an area to the left of this picture, and it overtook all of the grass here... while slowly taking over what's left!

If you do cover your lawn with it, anytime you're there you won't have to worry about being late...

It's an interesting idea. I have some kind of thyme with a creeping habit that just survived -2 Farenheit. Hmmm...

Thank you for your comments. I read an article that a solution of creeping thyme essential oil deters ticks, so that is very promising.

I think I like what you all have told me about it. It seems to me that there's no reason for me not to love it except....

How is it to walk on? I don't want it to feel like I'm walking through a week old mowed alfalfa field. Is it going to feel like some tiny people put punji sticks everywhere in my lawn?

Could you plant it from seed Fukuoka style?