Good point td,
I think Boeing are rather conservative when it comes to First Flight Test Procedures.
What's worked in the past - works now - will work... sort of mentality.
I know Airbus do it differently - in fact they see it as a matter of principle (perhaps as a re-asurrance to on-looking customers and pax) that the gear goes up in a timely fashion - but old procedures, old and tried and tested lists and actions to get a new frame flying good; are the progenitors of Redundancy - when you've done the procedure so many times...
Airbus' early gear up on first flight wasn't necessarily a two-finger salute to Boeing - doesn't mean the aircraft is any safer, any better...
Just means the boffins at the drawing boards have reckoned efficiency is better on initial tests with gear retracted and worth the risk...
Neither's right, neither's wrong. Horses for courses.