Listening to the BA 777 LAS fire ATC recording is interesting. The controller, having cleared EVERYONE to land, then has to unclear everyone to land and issue go around instructions. TWICE she stepped on the BA 777 pilot trying to transmit a mayday call.
I cant help thinking that had non FAA procedures been in use, namely clearing aircraft to land only when it is ACTUALLY clear to land, then the radio waves would have been free for more important dialogue as non cleared aircraft would simply fly the missed approach sans landing clearance.
I too prefer the "..expect late landing clearance.." method (which frequently occurs in Australia too) as I am then a little more primed for a go-around. My experience is that the US method of issuing landing clearances to multiple aircraft on approach engenders complacency, and in the event that a go-around is necessary (as described in the LAS case) a critical transmission could be blocked.