I'm still not sure what the concept of compression as a crutch is. What is it a crutch for? Distortion is a crutch for notes that aren't cleanly attacked, or hit; but I don't get what compression does to your playing to make it appear better than it is, I'm guessing the sustain is what everyone is getting at.
I don't think I really use compression for additional sustain. I just use it because it makes those two and four positions on my Strat pickup switch sound even more pronounced. You know, that Alex Chilton Big Star type guitar sound (although, not quite to that extent). I just use it as an available tone, I guess more of an EQ to alter the tone than to actually play long sustaining solos and "play" the effect.
This probably doesn't make sense, if anyone wants clarification of any part of what I tried to say, just ask.