I generally prefer to cut chicken up than to spatchcock it, mainly because I can fit a cut up chicken in my small oven but a spatchcocked bird is too rectangular and has to go in the big oven. Roasting a chicken whole has the advantage that you can stuff the cavity--not with stuffing, but with fruit, usually some apples, lemon slices, brandied prunes and a few slivered almonds. This makes for the most flavorful juices, which makes your gravy just incredible. (This idea came from James Beard, who used that for a goose, but it works with other poultry as well.)
My older son likes to spatchcock turkey, my preferred method would be to do it on the outdoor rotisserie.
I will agree with the author that spatchcocking a bird can be a bit messy, but that's why they make 18 x 24 plastic cutting boards.
Something that's kind of fun to do with company (though a bit of work to prepare) is to completely debone a chicken and stuff it. You present it whole at the table and just slice it to serve it. Kind of a fun presentation.
.
