Danny,
Good post.
Hobie,
Fully agree.
If I want the emergency services standing by then I will sure as hell make sure they are aware of this.
I have not yet been in such a situation that warranted this,thank god.
But over the last 15 or so years I have been met by flashing lights on more than one occasion because someone else has decided that I have a much bigger problem than actually exists.
It is damned annoying and also rather off-putting for the passengers to be escorted back to stand by all manner of emergency vehicles simply because one has stated that,say for example,we request a longer approach than usual due to flaps being lowered using an alternate (ie slower) system.
We tell ATC of such events out of professionalism and courtesy,but don't expect an over-reaction.
Perhaps ATC guys should join us now and then for SEP days etc when we can have two way discussions as to what is and what is not expected by both parties.