Thanks for the responses.
I personally have taken the left X-wind option when available for many of the reasons outlined by PPrune Fan. The loss of power, while not near as common as it used to be, is still something to be taken into consideration - both for your clinet's and company's sake.
I have found that at high wieghts riding the right pedal allows for quite an increase in available torque in the hover, and so far I can't find a reason to do it the other way. As far as main rotor vortex interferance, I agree that if you are aware of it and anticipating the a/c's reaction, you shouldn't have too much trouble.
Another reason I have been given for the left wind direction is that the tail rotor is operating in relatively undisturbed air, anyone care to comment on this?
Thanks
AR