A circling approach, when properly briefed, and executed as briefed, is a non-event. It does not take “Maverick” or “Chuck Yeager” to perform circling maneuvers. Personally, I along with competent airmen have performed the maneuver in actual conditions, to published minima without any squawks. As for myself, I have be performing circling maneuvers all over the world since the mid ‘70s in all types of aircraft from singles up to and including the wide bodies.
Is the circling maneuver the choice procedure to perform under adverse situations??? no… at least not mine. But if you have to do it, you do it. It’s no big deal. If during the maneuver you don’t like what you see… well… execute the published missed approach.
Circling maneuvers come with the job. Proficiency is demonstrated in the simulator 2 times a year, and sometimes during an actual line check. At the end of the day, if one has trepidations about performing such a maneuver, which is approved under their carrier’s Ops Specs, then perhaps another airline that prohibits such maneuvers is the carrier of choice to be employed. There are carriers that do prohibit such procedures if weather is less than 1,000’ ceiling, and 3 miles of visibility, unless category D minima are greater.
Perhaps performing circling maneuvers in actual IFR in a twin, with an instructor in the right seat may help allay one’s fears too.