It's a nice way to keep the ride comfortable, predictable and to care about the crew in the back pushing trolleys from the rear to the forward galley. A sudden increase in headwind will make a heavy trolley a pain if not impossible to push if in lvl change (737) 6-7,5 degrees is usually pretty good. I don't care what the econ-beancounters say.
The V/S mode is a good way of controlling the pitch instead of going CWS. If you take a look at the wind at different altitudes prior and keep an eye on the ship you'll be fine and know what to expect but you have to be careful.