exactly.... 'out of sight out of mind' comes to mind so to speak
I use my crates for the following:
Dogs to sleep in at night - closed doors so I get a decent nights sleep four in the bed is too kinky for me
Short periods when training to avoid Separation Anxiety
Emergencies - like when I'm hoovering... a rarity but it does happen
when the cat has his tea - otherwise three in a bowl he doesn't get any
individual training - puppy in the house they both need individual house training I've one set of hands
When I go out - its rare I go out without my dogs but when I do I want to know they are safe, its is also for the benefit of security when the idiots here set the fire alarms off in case of a true emergency my neighbours and security will come in and remove both my dogs for me.
When they are ill and I have to restrict movement - it happens to us all at some point that dread elisabethan collar and the task of restricted movement for a few weeks or days best to be prepared.
Other than that my dogs are out and free but a crate has its uses. Mine have oversized crates the ones that should be recommended for them I think are too small Ayla has one for a weimaraner dog and bonnie has one for a great dane dog that way they can move around and can stretch out completely without touching the sides either up or out.