IMO being competent at landing with any of the recommended landing flaps for your aircraft type should be extremely routine! In my bag of tricks I'd much rather have the ability and confidence of landing with any of the landing flaps than being proficient at using asymmetric thrust! What if you can't select maximum flaps for whatever reason?
I agree. I recently flew with two Captains who nearly had a conniption when the computer suggested a F1 takeoff, rather than our usual F5. I'd rather take every opportunity to perform the F1 takeoff or vary F30 and F40 landings.