short-segment cruise
I once encountered a carrier who wanted to fly an "up then down" profile on short segments. In other words, climb until you intersect the descent slope, with zero cruise length. According to the book it yielded minimum fuel burn.
We talked him out of it - top of climb is the most severe point for the engine, and it does no good to retard immediately to F/I. Added fuel will be cheaper than turbine distress.