One of my NCT friends had a planned section instead of an induction on the NHS. Apparently her cervix was very unfavourable - sweeps were attempted but they couldn't manage them - and she was 42 weeks so her consultant gave her the choice between induction (which she was told would be unlikely to work) or a planned section. She chose the section and had a positive experience. It was her first.
But I was at the same hospital and was induced at 42 weeks. A planned section instead wasn't even mentioned as an option. So I think it really depends on your obstetrician and how they view induction vs section and your own circumstances (eg your bishops score).
With regards to the conversation around induction, if you want to avoid it then I would insist on seeing the consultant. I saw a SHO for my 41 week appointment and he was very "policy is to induce at 40 + X so we'll book you in on blah day". I was also planning a homebirth, so managed to insist on waiting until 42 weeks to be induced, but the SHO was not happy with it (also mostly spoke to my husband instead of me, and left me feeling angry and patronised!). I think the conversation would have been very different if I had spoken to a consultant (I've seen consultants mostly this time around, as I'm planning a vbac at the birth centre, and I find them much more likely to listen and speak to me as a competent adult!).
The tip my midwife gave me to see a consultant was to just say at reception "i need to see the consultant today" and then say the same thing if an SHO or registrar comes out to call you for your appointment. It pisses off the doctors (registrars in particular!) but it worked for me.
With regards to induction, I think it's valid to have reservations about it. I had friends and family who had positive induction experiences (uncomplicated vaginal births) and less positive ones (two EMCS for failure to progress, one ventouse, one forceps). I very much wanted to try for a vaginal birth, so was happy to be induced (though with hindsight I wish I'd just gone for expectant management!). I did not have a positive experience - I hyperstimulated immediately within minutes of the first pessary being inserted (not a typical experience I might add) and ended up delivering via a crash section.
With regards to the recovery from an EMCS, I found it tough but recovered well. I was up and about 24 hours after my section, home after 3 nights in hospital, and relatively mobile within a week - 10 days. My scar healed well, and within about a month I felt pretty fine (well, I felt like a sleep deprived wreck but that's life with a newborn to some extent!). We had some breastfeeding issues - undiagnosed thrush - but got through it and overall I found my experience positive.
But recovery from a section is major thing, and I do get quite annoyed when people assume it's a breeze (but I also get annoyed when people expect women to recover from all types of births within hours/days - it's a bugbear of mine!).
So I think you're right to weigh up the pros and cons. I really hope it doesn't come to it and that you have an uncomplicated home birth!
Good luck whatever you decide.
PS sorry for the essay! Didn't quite realise I had so much to say on this 