Not exactly sure what went on...even though I was there last night
Coming through ORSAR, Tehran give restrictions to be at either F210, F230, F250 or F270.
This is to de-conflict you with the guys coming from the Bahrain FIR that are on the drop to F280.
The speed was to stop you running over the guys that were being streamed into Dubai and Sharjah via DESDI.
Dubai Approach, generally like the RAK arrivals north of the gate (segregation with the main traffic flow).
We have to stop you going more than about 10-12 miles north of track, as any further than that will take you back into Tehran's patch..something frowned upon.
Once we hand you off to Dubai approach, what happens next is up to them, but I'll take a stab at it.
They would have held you up at A060 because they had departures to DARAX thru MAXMO, they have to give them some climb or they won't make their requirements at DARAX.
Also they have to give a standard level at or on descent to RAK (I assume it's A060) for the hand-off.
Being nice guys, they point you pretty much at where you wish to go, and then as RAK has no radar....then radar services MUST be terminated as you are heading into terrain and you have to fly all that secret squirrel pilot stuff to avoid the hard stuff.
So to sum up, you weren't just "dumped" as I think you realise..tell your bossman to have a look at the aids utilised by each of the ATS units...RAK operate under procedural control only...with high terrain its pretty much a "one in one out" kind of place.
In answer to Q1...yes, it was damned busy all night.
Q2 I'll leave to a qualified Dubai guy/gal
