joining the traffic pattern quandary

In the UK for example, a standard 'overhead' join is to arrive overhead the
airport at 1000 ft above the traffic pattern, and from that point on make
all turns in the direction of the pattern (i.e.usually left). The descent
to pattern altitude is made on the 'deadside' of the runway (i.e. opposite
the pattern), and the aircraft joins the pattern on a crosswind leg at the
upwind end of the runway.

So one normally crosses in front of oncoming traffic at pattern
altitude? (presumably the aircraft climbing out on takeoff hasn't yet
reached pattern altitude, but climb rates vary)

Jose
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