Posted for Gary Casey <glcasey@adelphia.net>:
 
 In a situation like this I simply announced that I am entering the
 upwind and give the altitude.  I hope everyone understands this
 one, especially the planes on final that I will be overflying.
 Incidentally, I remember seeing an FAA document (handout at a
 seminar?) that listed typical pattern entries.  As best I could
 tell the FAA doesn't get into the argument about what is a "legal"
 entry, only gives typical or recommended entries.  They were, as
 best I can remember, the upwind, crosswind, 45 downwind and I
 believe the straight-in.  I don't see anything wrong with any of
 those.  I've always felt the most risky (they are all risky) of
 those is the standard 45 downwind as it puts you head-on with
 someone doing the 45-degree departure, which I very seldom use.  I
 get out of town in the most direct way possible.

 Gary Casey