Isn't wandering off the STAR "because you know from experience that it is safe" just the same as not bothering to do the performance calculations or the checklist because "you know from experience...." Not exactly covering our sixes, are we?
I am very dubious of accepting any "short cut" in that part of the world in anything but VMC, as the very patriotically named 757 behind me into AGP yesterday will tell you. Five minutes my @rse! If he saved 30 seconds by going straight to 18 miles or wherever it was with in thick IMC and heavy showers I'll be surprised, and look at what he risked! Trouble is the controllers down there love to invite us to risk it, and some can't resist the temptation.
Daft, imho.