For me it depends on the gun. If it's a DA/SA I will always keep on in the pipe. If it's a SAO without a hammer (i.e. Hi-Point or some other striker fired SAO gun), I won't do it unless I feel safe with that particular gun having it's spring back at all times. DAO and SAO with a hammer I will keep on in the pipe too I guess, I haven't had one of them yet so I can't say for sure, but just from what I've read and seen others do, it's likely I will. I carry my P95 with a round chambered and the safety off because I trust that good ol', heavy-enough-you-almost-can't-pull-it-without-breaking-your-finger-and-forget-about-weaker-fingers, double action trigger. It's really nice knowing I have it on tap if I ever need it, I'm one of those that would probably break down to bare essentials in a situation and would forget something like racking the slide.
King, if you want a good beer, I HIGHLY recommend New Belgium beers. They're brewed in Fort Collins and they have amazing ales, you should go up for a tour once you get out here. From what I've been told it's a great tour with great beers to try the whole way.