karrank,
running up to 60 a/c per hour thru a 30mile by 40 mile sector which goes from FL55 to FL175 (ie. not very big) with every single a/c requiring either descent or climb occasionally requires the use of the word expedite just to keep levels free..........Things can rapidly grind to a halt. Leaving things to waffle up or down results, ultimately in poor service provision, something we in NATS are going to hear more about post-privatisation.
Creativity is fine if you actually have the time or airspace to ponder.
But if when the "E" word is used it gets 2 of the 12 a/c off the frequency, rest assured it is NOT as a result of laziness !!
INS