Ferris, I was reguarly in both the Tracon and the tower at JFK and on Long Island. It was part of my duties as an Executive Council Chairman for the Airline Pilots Association as a safety chairman and controller/pilot liaison.
The feeds that you speak of are from basic jet airways and low altitude VOR routes and did not extend for any more than about eight miles from the final.
Also, the last time I was in Sydney I was given the opportunity to visit your Air Services control centre in Mascot.
In addition any pilot can see the line of traffic on final, or for that matter on approach particuarly at night or on TCAS.