Does anyone else remember when we didn't have hinged presser feet? I can remember the big news in sewing was a hinged foot that could sew over pins. As Barb mentioned, garment sewing sometimes required lots of pins to get the seam right.
Now I usually take the pins out, operative word usually. I sometimes remove them after they are under the presser foot but not under the needle. I have broken a needle by hitting a pin and the potential damage is high.