Quote
' "Normal descents are made in the clean configuration to pattern altitude or instrument approach altitude." is unrealistic nonsense and Boeing should know better.'
I disagree,in the vast majority of descents that statement is true or close enough to being true( under vectors F1 is generally selected somewhere around 12-15 track miles (4-5000ft or a bit lower slowing down if level)
I've really only seen the 'flaps as speedbrakes' as a problem since the NG came out with the 250kt limit and agree it is not best practise but there are a few occasions where leaving the speed around 220kts F5 +speedbrake will be the best option rather than getting really high and having to take the gear or even eventually throwing it away.Doing it as a matter of course is not acceptable.