Legend, you're description is pretty good about a profile. Think of it this way. Here is my profile for flying an ILS in the Falcon 20. Its about 90% the same each time. I might wait on landing gear going into Dulles because I intercept the glideslope like 13 miles out, so I don't want to be too slow. Anyway, here is the profile:
Procedure Turn Inbound: 65% N1, 190 Knots, call for Flaps 10
Prior to FAF Glideslope Movement: 65% N1, 170 Knots, call for Flaps 25
One Dot Above GS Intercept: Call Gear Down and Before Landing Checks
Glideslope Intercept: Flaps 40% and adjust N1 to fly at Vref +10
Touchdown: Adjust N1 to fly Vref +5 at 50' and keep power in until 10'
Rollout: Speed Brakes, Reverse Thrust, on tiller at 80 Knots and stow Reverse at 70 Knots
That's pretty much it. A profile is using a given power or configuration to get the same performance each time, obviously depending on ISA, weight, etc. Its not used just by the "airlines", and should be used in some fashion by everyone. I used to use it in the 172 when training and then taught it when teaching. Repetition, repetition. Hope this helps a bit.