I like to design my small planes to build straight so I can build in my lap while in a recliner watching TV. Of course I do have some advantage there in tooling. My scale birds I build on 1/2" glass.
If you have an eye for straightness you might get away from the table top some of the time. I advise most to find what works for you and do it; it saves you from needing anti-acid. There are a million modelers that do the same thing 1000 different ways. Some of those ways make for a beautiful flight and the others make for some great crash video. It makes for a simple means of measuring your success. Of course for kits you could always try and follow the instructions. I must admit though that I have yet to succeed in that venture.