It seems more and more the case now though, that each aerodrome has circuit patterns, and joining procedures unique to that aerodrome.
MJ, yes good point - pilots need to do their homework on any local procedures published in AIP etc.
Today we had a case of two visiting aircraft who were clueless as to how to taxi to the holding point - don't people carry charts these days? Resulted in much RT chat between them and verbose A/G operator!