Yo dude, for my 2 cents, i don't trim though I've no problem with people who do and you're right, some you see looking like palm trees still seem to get bonanza buddage, though i think that probably more cause they're experienced growers who are good at boosting plants under high powered lights, rather than it's a casual technique to be used by all.
My rationale is firstly it's an unnecessary, though admittedly minor, injury to the plant and secondly, removing them takes away a portion of the plants nute & energy stores. During veg and first 5 - 6 weeks of flowering I'd say these ain't major issues, though certainly 2 weeks before finish i don't like diverting any energy away from final flourish, no matter how minor.
My only advice would be try to tuck, tie or even tape as many as possible out the way to solve the shade problem. Even if leaves are tied vertical to a stem, or 2 banded together so one shade leaf fully overlaps the other, the plant still gets to leech the juices out of them, and it will choose to shed any tucked ones naturally when it decides, which is healthier too. Personally, I avoid cutting any, especially late in flower, yet like i say plenty do have it as their preference!
Though fair play you been caught out with RDWC and looks a good advert for switching to it lol! They look massive, strong and hungry to grow even bigger - look awesome dude! I guess that's only other thing, is although i can't really tell how tall they are from pic, they still look quite squat and bushy in the pic, so I'm guessing they still yet to go through initial flower stretch, though if they do, or if can induce it, then that'll hopefully lift your canopy up and stretch it all out a little, so reflected light will coat the stems and middle better. It also looks like the colas will come through your net in a well arranged pattern, so i think once they stretch up abit, you'll be fine, and then only lower leaves might need trimming for air circulation (since you ScroGing).
