Did plenty of drops over the years, saw plenty more. Used to be common practice. It gets real interesting with only one person on the ground, and you always drop them into a sag or another cut of cars - don't even think of catching a handbrake as it rolls by. One of the most amusing incidents I heard of was the engineer ("Cowboy" - known for running fast) and a green conductor. They shouldn't have even taken the cars up the branch in the first place, but Cowboy was running the job from the engineer's seat. The conductor got the pin, and the switch - Cowboy said he'd get jump off the engine and catch the handbrake. Cars sailed by the engine before Cowboy even got stopped. At the end of the spur, loads hit a reefer that was spotted and slid the ramp in the car along the bottom of the building (Quonset hut type) opening it like a can opener.

Never saw or tried a Dutch drop - can't even think of a situation I would have even tried. Running conductor only, the only way you could even do a drop is if they allow getting on and off moving equipment. As it is, they seem to frown on even gravity drops nowadays.

Remember - it used to be a conductor would have worked several years as a brakeman/switchman before being promoted. Now - pay attention in class, you will be certified and qualified in just a few weeks. Gotta love modern railroading!

As far as kicking cars - the railroads have shifted primarily to unit trains, so there is far less spotting of loose cars to industry tracks, or the need to kick the cars to sort out your train. I imagine there are a few railroads that have outlawed even kicking - presuming it is unsafe or the crews are not experienced enough.