JT - Come on. I could come in here and say I was a Shuttle Commander, it doesn't change the fact that you can hit POM at 35,000 Ft, and circle down on the hold until intercepting the final approach.
And what would a pilot do with a radio communications failure while he was at FL450 in his Galaxy? Well, technically, he could stay at FL450 and hit POM and circle all the way down, which is probably the safest route, vs coming down and hoping he didn't bump into any planes as he descended early for the IAP.
Unless there is an alien force field over LA that I don't know about, center clears people direct all the time for approaches, at gawd awful altitudes, from way the heck out.
I've been cleared for approaches by center in Canada 200 NMs out, when I was at 18000 feet. It was up to me to figure out how to get down.
Guys, this is instrument rating 101 stuff. F.F. out.