Hi Tinstaafl,
I daren't speak for everybody but personally I would find it harder maintaining alt with the speed bleeding off than sticking it 10 deg nose up until Vmd.
Regarding the options, again I beg to differ. If you are higher you are higher - even 5' is the difference between clearing a hedge and not. Unless you have the sea or a mountain range behind you or you are completely alert as to the best place to put down before it goes "phut" (virtually never in my case) then, in my book higher is better.
I'm doing PFLs next week on my CPL so I'm keen to see how that is taught.
I guess we can beat this subject to death without getting anywhere. I hope that we haven't muddied the waters too much for Vee One!