Ill tell ye what I think Billy, ive heard this saying from so called top fanciers for many years and after a lot of consideration ,I think it is a load of rubbish. Heres my findings, when you put a pigeon in the basket, most will automatically tighten up with excitement and nerves hence handling better ( or tighter ) when they are re-handled shortly afterwards. However, if you handle a pigeon that has been in the basket for 1,2.3 or more nights it definitely isn't as good as it went in, that's a fact . Its common sense really, if you are put in a police cell, although you have plenty of room, your fed and watered regularly and have a bed you will still come out that cell a wee bit worse for wear and its all down to stress . Stress knocks hell out of the birds and less stress , more success. In other words, less time in the basket, more success imo.