I only drop the gear after I'm through the slot. If it's one of the pads all the way at the back, then I'll be at least half way between the slot and the pad before I drop the gear.
Again, unless I came in super hot and drop it for the braking, but that rarely happens. But then most of my ships have been able to zip in without getting scanned, that'd likely be much different if I was in something bigger and slower.