I think someone already pointed out that the OFFICIAL guidance for helo pilots
when entering an airport area is "to aviod the flow of fixed wing traffic".
Pretty much means to me that what I've always done when flying a helo is
correct..I just avoid the flow of fixed wing traffic...seems to work out well
for everyone! Who wants to spend all that extra time flyng a totally
unnecessary traffic pattern anyway?

As for the question of land left, thermal right....that certainly smacks of
"rote learning", inflexibility, and of one who needs more training. Will all of
your possible landouts work with that "land left" concept? Wouldn't you want to
be as able to adapt safely and quickly to differing pattern requirements as you
could possibly be? The airport where I fly gliders lands left traffic when
landing south and southeast and then right traffic when landing north and
northwest. What would a person that is only competent to "land left" do in this
situation? Maybe fly only on days where the wind suits his preferred (and
limited) landing abilities?