Hi FlareArmed2,
Maybe I have been lucky, but we always check and adjust Vapp to at least Vls+5kts on approach, since we are often heavier than we think, and if so Vapp might not be quite right.
We also used to have "phase advance" available; where you pushed the thrust levers forward, just out of the CLB gate for literally a second, then back in the CLB gate. This was particularly useful on the A330 whose auto-thrust gains are not increased in the lower levels* - to just give a small 'blip' of power to prevent speed washing off too much. Airbus took phase advance away though, which was a shame, because it was very useful.
* Were not. Perhaps newer airframes do?