Pipemakers who drill second are not only inherently superior craftsmen, but superior people.
Truthfully, I don't know of many pipemakers who use one method exclusively. I drill second on all of my freehand work, but classics are obviously drilled first. This is true of my work, Brad Pohlmann's, Jody's, etc. Todd is the only person I knew in the US who drilled second exclusively.
Both are means to ends. I shape first for freehands because it offers a simplicity and freedom that I do not feel I have when I drill first. I can follow the grain easier and make changes when necessary using this method. It's essentially a method that helps professionals have a higher yield of smooth pipes at a faster rate of production. On a good day I can have a pipe roughed to 220, drilled, and faced in 30-40 minutes. The sad part is that it doesn't speed up the other 12 or so hours necessary to finish a pipe.
Best,
Jeff