I don't think I could disagree more. "Padding" is a bad bad bad bad idea. Every single word you write should have a purpose in the broad scope of things. That this is done does not mean it's a good idea. I find it very annoying when authors meander into irrelevant subplots. Every character and every subplot should have a definitive purpose in the grand scheme of things, and if it doesn't have any better purpose than to stretch the story, out it should go.