Opinions please, preferred pattern joining methods

On Wed, 2 Feb 2005 08:48:12 +0000 (UTC), "David Cartwright"
wrote:

"Peter Clark" wrote in message
news
When breaking off an instrument approach
in VMC, once told to change to advisory, maneuver as needed to enter a
standard VFR pattern, including breaking off a straight in approach to
an in-use runway and join the pattern.

But isn't a straight-in approach part of a perfectly valid VFR pattern? Why
bother flying around the town when you're already lined up for finals?

(applies to Steve's reply as well)

The way it was explained to me, if there are already aircraft in the
pattern, doing a straight in would likely cut them off, and would
increase exposure to a base-to-final/straight-in final midair (I'm
assuming this is also attempting to comply with 91.113(g), don't get
lower on a straight in just to have right-of-way).

Course, if there's nobody discernable visually or via radio already in
the pattern when I get there I'd continue the approach straight-in and
land, but if I can't ensure that I'd come in behind someone already on
downwind, I'd maneuver to get behind them in the sequence.