Reading these responses just reinforces to me that we are all different, with differing health issues in addition to bronchiectasis, differing levels of severity, different meds (inhaler vs albuterol neb) and different schedules and lifestyles.
We each need to find a routine that works for us and can fit into our daily schedule well enough that we can make it routine.
For example, unless I walk or stretch before I do ACT, I don't produce sputum (I am in maintenance, no active infection.) My pulmonologist says this is typical - whether you realize it or not the ACT is breaking up the mucus & moving it from small airways to larger ones. My life schedule is wildly variable, and unless I am having an exacerbation or we are under air quality alerts, I only neb saline once a day, 4-5 times a week. But I faithfully use my inhaler (Symbicort) on rising and at bedtime. I use my Aerobika and active breathing as I read my paper. And I do active breathing with huff coughing during and after exercise (@scoop) - people look at me funny when I step of the walking trail to do it but meh...
GERD doesn't seem to bother me, so I don't worry about timing with food or drink, though being well-hydrated helps bring up more mucus.

So, I guess the best takeaway from this discussion is that you need to make ACT work for you and your life.
Sue