I disagree. I would sooner cut off my right arm before I cut any root, including Phalaenopsis.
Phalaenopsis do not make air roots! In nature they colonize lower tree limbs, sometimes rocks. It is a lower light environment with dappled sunlight at best. These plants growing on a tree limb have been known to send roots out from 1-3 meters from the base of the plant in search of adequate moisture. Not all Phalaenopsis have roots quite that long but this tendency of many species to do this is what leads to many plants sending roots out of the pot so quickly after re-potting.
If you tend to grow your Phalaenopsis too dry, this might be another reason that long roots erupt from the pot. They are seeking moisture.
It is true that Phalaenopsis roots do branch but keep it in mind that every root you cut, can be a potential point of rot. If you soak the roots in slightly warmed water before you repot, they become more pliable and easier to handle.
