Fairly standard practice with one company I know of.
Saving, perhaps an average of 20kgs per sector, average 6 sectors per day, per aircraft multiplied by 12 aircraft gives 1440kgs.
Thats enough for over 2 hours of flight saved per day.
I've only heard of one incident of a nosewheel falling off but that may just as well have been due to the max rate turns away from the stand.
The company concerned have not forbidden the practice as yet and have many years experience operating their ATRs.