<<No offense...I've ceased being impressed by high time pilots long ago.>>
No offense taken, elvis, but oddly enough, lets look at an average situation.
Now, I don't fly the new fangled stuff, only the the 'ole Lockheed tri-motor.
100 DME seems to work for me, say from FL350.
Close the taps, descend at 320-330 (barber pole 350+), and adjust ROD to arrive at 30 DME at 250KIAS, is generally a breeze, winds aloft considered, no spoilers needed.
I once flew with a First Officer who, upon reaching cruise altitude, started 'calculating' his descent...even if it was six hours off.
Twisting his Breitling bezel 'til it smoked, it seemed, and yet...he got it wrong every darn time.
I have ceased being impressed by co-pilots...generally speaking.
