I will say one thing about the owner of my gym, he is known for having the largest PF locations and 2 out of his 5(soon to be 8) locations have been in the top 10 of the company. He is a former world's gym owner(world's got bought by PF) and bodybuilder. He has always pushed the PF limitations to the max. He has 2-3 flat benches at all locations and 1-2 incline benches as well. His db go up to 80lbs and preset ez curl bars which is the franchise limit. he allows deadlifts but you have to stop the bar before it hits the ground( not really a terrible idea = constant tension on the muscle)
We could agrue all day that if you can put the weight down then you aren't pushing yourself hard enough but i do think most people drop the weights because they want you to hear it, look over and see how much they are doing. I've pressed 110lbs on inclines and when my set is over i bring the dbs down to my thighs then stand up and rack em or squat em to the floor. Using my method is safer for your shoulders too because you don't have that awkward momentum pulling them down to the floor. I think its more impressive to see someone control big dumbells then drop them. I'm sure I'll get blasted for this but that's they way i was taught to lift from day one.
Victor Martinez used to own a gym in brooklyn and he would train at Bev Francis' gym because you can drop your weights there. He says on the Battle for the Olympia dvd "I come here because I don't allow people to drop weights at my gym." Hmm, so when you're buying the equipment you don't want it abused because when it breaks it comes out of your pocket but you go to someone else's gym to do it?
How you lift is your business as long as it fits into the gym you go to, I'm not trying to put down people who do drop weights but i wanted to also express why i don't.