You'll find that the JR radios also have the stick mode settings 1-4. Or at least the 2610 (6210 in the States) and 9XII (9303 in the States). Switching the throttle ratchet is simply a DIY job.

Most radios in Hong Kong are sold as Mode 1 (although Mode 2 are starting to appear). Maybe worth shopping around.

I started with planes on Mode 1, then switched to helis- Mode 1 is not too heli friendly, tried to switched to Mode 3, which I feel is the natural progression from Mode 1. Still can't quite get my head around it so I'm still on Mode 1.

If there was actually a "standard" configuration we wouldn't be having this debate, so I'd say just go with what you are comfortable with.......