When you have selected patron attribute to be searchable in staff patron searches, this can only be done in the patrons page. However there are many other pages that have the patron search box available where you can't search with the extended patron attributes. I think patron attribute search should be available always when patron search is available. It would be more consistent with the description of the preference. "Check to make this attribute searchable in staff patron searches. If checked, this attribute will appear in patron search dropdowns."