Companies which like to harass pilots for every little thing go out of business because their pilots start flying extra careful and writing everything up...20% on-time and 50% completion.
You haven't a very broad background in the industry, and haven't been flying very long, have you?
As for the use of flaps too soon; I haven't met many who do that.
Landing gear, however, doesn't need to be delayed until glideslope intercept. As an aircraft system, it's a tool there to be used like everything else.
Where short legs exist, throwing the gear out early for brake cooling isn't a bad thing, either.