We have wandered a bit from my request to give us a clue as to your descent planning into the realms of publishing minute detail of every route altitude restriction which was not my intent.
Most ATC units manage to give us the 'plan' - Maastricht for example are good at that, Frankfurt approach, etc etc. Inbound to LHR/LGW normally not a problem either. It is just the few places where it does not happen that cause the difficulties. The potential is for a higher work load for us, a screaming descent with a possible RA with traffic below and discomfort for the pax. Given 'the plan' we can set up a descent profile to suit. Otherwise, given a descent up to 50 miles earlier than 'economic' we will indeed 'waft down' as put above until we are told otherwise. No need for visits, good as they are, or famil flights (ditto) - it is just common sense
