Ok, I'll just play Devil's Advocate here.

While many people use this system (and it is a good one) it does have one drawback.

Often in a rough landing, the landing gear can depart the plane long before anything would have broken. And often, as the gear tumble back (Or more accurately, as the plane slides on its belly over the tumbling gear) a good amount of damage can be done that would have been prevented had the gear remained attached.

So... Pick your poison.