Rubik 101 Hear hear. Why do people try and reinvent the wheel?
The manuals are the authoritative source of information on how to fly your aircraft. If a problem arises and you have deviated from the manuals because of wives tales and "this is the way I have always done it" your tail is on the line! Not only from the company but god forbid if you were ever then in court trying to defend yourself.
I am not a test pilot and I hope never to be, thats why boeing airbus etc employ people to do these things, Im sure they have tried everything and found the best way to handle the aircraft.