Greetings John, the cross tube is not installed in mine.   I think it would be a major problem as you mentioned.  In any wind, you have to be careful and I think aft wind with canopy unlatched is the most difficult to control since it can lift in a heartbeat with a gust.   The builder installed two restraining straps for this and I manually hold the canopy in those conditions as well.  So far, so good.