Irrespective of how the curve is created, as the mojority of students now a days are mainly PPL levels (with a few going on to become CPs) I will continue to KEEP them out the shaded area for as long as I can...
On a commercial level, it is our jobs to fly in this area a lot of the time, but I'll still keep to one of my first rules learnt...
Stay out of it as long as possible and only go in when neccessary, and then get out again...
There's no need in trying to become a "test pilot" while at work unless you're employed as one.